The Youth Academy at Dartford FC forms part of our player pathway to first team football at the club. We aim to create a learning environment where talented young players, many of whom have been at professional clubs, can continue to progress. Whilst winning is important, our emphasis focuses on the way we play. Therefore, developing players who have tactical as well as technical skill is delivered throughout the years through a well-balanced learning syllabus. Our squads start at u7s (school year 2) and at u16s (school year 11), trial for our full academy if they have achieved the standards required. At an appropriate point, players are signed for the Youth Academy squads, whilst they can also play for their local, Sunday club teams. The Development Phase (u12s-u16s) represent the Youth Academy in the Junior Premier League (www.juniorpremierleague.com) playing on Saturdays against other National League club academy sides. The Foundation Phase (u7-u11) sees our u7s & u8s, along with the u9s-u11s squads, play other local Academies and have opportunities to play professional and semi-professional advanced player centres. The u9s-u11s will represent the Youth Academy in the JPL from September 2022. The Youth Academy is financially supported through a parental contributory model, manage by the Dartford FC Youth Development Centre Community Interest Company. The u7s and u8s Foundation phase squads pay £30 per month, whilst the u9s,10s and u11s pay £45 and the Development phase squads pay £55 per month. The payments pay for everything except for playing kit and accessories. Foundation squad players are expected to be coached for 1.5 hours per week and the Youth Development phase players for 3 hours per week. They are coached by minimum FA Level 2, YCA Module 2 coaches, or coaches who are working towards that minimum standard. Our lead Youth Development Phase coaching staff are qualified to FA Level 3.
