OVERVIEW

At Shrewsbury Riverside we offer a comprehensive football programme that offers equal and outstanding opportunities for students of all ages, gender and ability.

We champion the extensively researched notion that students develop at different rates and believe all students should have access to a positive and stimulating training environment. As such, the programme is divided into specific stages of development, with each having their own clear objectives and guidelines for how these should be achieved. At any given stage, there are a range of opportunities for all students to find their footing.

---

CORE VALUES

The values of the football programme reflects the principles of the Football Association's Fair Play Code, and our own school ethos which maintains that students should feel happy, secure, valued and fulfilled. The Programme seeks to drive the following core values:

• Enjoyment:The reason why we play, coach and support one another.
• Equality:Equal opportunity to be afforded to all students, building a cross campus programme predicated on inclusiveness.
• Ambition:Always aim high, in whatever capacity that may be. All students should be encouraged to strive to be the best they can be and continually pursue growth and betterment.
• Innovation:To be forward thinking in the way that we approach, play and coach the game so that we may continue to meet the demands of a game that is always evolving.
• Respect:Respect for coaches, officials and opposition. Remember that in any given environment, both on and off the field, students, coaches and parents are a reflection of our wider community.
• Accountability:Students to be held accountable for their actions, such as training attendance, poor behaviour or lack of application. Students should be proficient in communication and advise on any absence as far in advance as possible.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Within football, player development is dynamic and nonlinear. Players develop at different rates across four main areas: technical, physical, psychological, and social. This often leads to misconceptions around ability and increased pressure, which in turn has an impact on self-confidence and enjoyment. 

Placing students in a playing environment that is appropriate for their current level of ability allows for them to work towards developing the same skill set but at their own pace. This is particularly beneficial to the middle and lower ability groups as they are able to get more touches on the ball, and receive greater opportunities for repetition of basic techniques.

---

FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Shrewsbury Football Academy is designed for students with significant talent and passion for the sport, and who are prepared to commit significant time alongside their academic subjects in order to develop their ability in the sport. The programme is tiered, with the upper tier participation (additional time and cost) designed to develop student's credentials to a point where application for US College scholarships is a realistic goal.

The programme is designed to balance academic and sporting development. Through a mixture of performance coaching, academic support and college counselling, and provision of performance opportunities, the academy programme is truly designed for Shrewsbury's Scholar-Athletes. 

The academy - provided at additional cost on a block by block basis and aimed predominantly at students in Key Stages 4 and 5 - provide specialised support for performance development, academic and college counselling, strength and conditioning and more. Entrance into the Academy Programmes are subject to the schools normal admissions process, and Academy-specific enrolment procedures.

FOOTBALL ACADEMY BROCHURE (.PDF)

---

THE SCHOOL'S APPROACH TO FOOTBALL