Reading FC U18's Shadow Apply using the form below
Our Elite football programme is designed for young student-athletes aged between 16 and 19 who are committed to developing in both football and academic studies. It is perfect for those who still aspire to become a professional footballer. We provide each student with a package of education, training and mentoring tailored to their individual needs.
The JMA Elite Football environment is ideal for players such as:
Players with previous professional football club experience
Elite/Development Centre experience
Potential Late Developers
Talented grassroots players
The programme allows keen young footballers to continue their academic studies on a wide range of courses at Sixth Form level while continuing to develop their footballing potential under the guidance of our experienced A-License coaches.
PARTNER CLUB
Our partner club Reading FC is one of the most successful CAT 1 academies in the country and give us access to their top class facilities and staff support and guidance on various areas such as:
Strength & Conditioning
Nutrition
Recovery
Analysis
We work very much to their mantra “We aim to develop brilliant technical players who work tremendously hard” and expect these standards both on and off the pitch.
Students are privileged to be able to wear Reading FC tracksuits, training and playing kits whilst part of the academy and therefore are not only representing the school but also Reading FC at all times.
THE COURSE
FOOTBALL TRAINING AND MATCHES
Elite football students receive 8-10 hours of training each week based on both our brand new FIFA approved artificial pitch and Reading FC’s Academy training pitch based at the Madejski Stadium.
Our Elite Teams play in the National Football Youth League competing against other Premier League and Football League programmes.
Players have access to state of the art Gym facilities on a daily basis in order to work on Strength & Conditioning, rehab and recovery as well as weekly Hydrotherapy recovery sessions in the pool.
All players will also have access to our experienced sports therapist at least once a week as well as having the opportunity to be monitored by Reading FC’s Sports Therapists alongside their academy players.
Alongside this regular games are organized against Pro Clubs at all levels to allow players to showcase themselves. Clubs we have played recently include:
Reading FC
Dundee United (Scotland)
Peterborough United
Hamilton Academicals (Scotland)
Oxford United
Raith Rovers (Scotland)
Bristol Rovers
ACADEMIC STUDIES
Potential Elite Football students have three levels of academic pathways to choose from to suit their individual academic needs alongside the football. These are:
Level 3 Academic
Level 3 Vocational
Level 2 Technical
For more details please complete the form below
CONTACT
Michael Butcher
The John Madejski Academy
125 Hartland Road
Reading
RG28AF