ACADEMY INSIGHT: SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Explore the work of a crucial Academy department

2025-07-20T09:45:28.108Z

ACADEMY INSIGHT: SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE

Explore the work of a crucial Academy department

2025-07-20T09:45:28.108Z

Explore the work of a crucial Academy department

Within the Burnley Academy there are 160 young players, all of whom harbour the dream of forging a career within the game for many years to come.

The age groups start at U8s level and finish with the U21s, and the physical and medical needs of every player are different.

It’s the job of Head of Academy Sport Science and Medicine Will Carlos to manage the various staff teams within those disciplines, as well as forming a positive link with the first team set-up.

During the Professional Development Phase’s pre-season training camp in Poland, Will sat down with the club website to explain his role in more depth and outline the plan for the U21s and U18s at what is a vital time of the year.

“I joined the Club in December 2021. My primary background is physiotherapy, but I did a master’s degree in strength and conditioning,” he said.

“My role includes looking after injuries, the GPS data, the strategy around loading players on and off the pitch, and to some extent the nutrition and psychology departments.

“I’m there to manage the staff too and provide them with the tools and support to get the best out of the players.

“From a medical standpoint we’ve got one lead doctor and a club GP. We’ve then got the physio and rehab team, which is made up of two physios, a sports therapist and a sports rehabilitator. That then extends into our part-time staff that help the younger age groups.

“Sports science wise we’ve got a Lead Sports Scientist, a Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach, a part time Strength and Conditioning Coach and a Junior Sports Scientist.

“We then have an Academy Nutritionist and a Psychologist too.”

ACADEMY INSIGHT: SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - Image 1

What have the U21s and U18s been up to in the first two weeks of pre-season, and how has it gone?

“The first couple of weeks is always great. It’s about getting the lads back up to speed – they’ve had their off-season programmes that have given them somewhat of a base, but it doesn’t provide them with all the footballing context that they need.

“What it does provide is that baseline fitness, so that when they come in we can layer on top, whether that be additional conditioning, technical or tactical aspects.

“We’re in week three at the minute, which is us really pushing them. We’re looking for that increase in high-speed running and sprint metrics on the grass.

“We’re then looking for those intensity changes within pre-season, so weeks three and four are the hardest and we’ll end up tapering down in weeks five and six because we’re then going into the season.”

A big part of pre-season is the fact that a new group of U17s sign their two-year scholarship contracts, meaning they transition into a full-time football and education programme.

That’s something Will and his team have to manage carefully, with the players still growing into their bodies at 15 or 16 years old.

“It’s a big transition in so many ways,” he continued.

“Football is the thing that we’ll always speak about, but you also need to speak about what it’s like being a 16-year-old who’s now moving home, coming into digs and living with great and supportive host families.

ACADEMY INSIGHT: SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - Image 2

“We try and support them in that transition because it’s not easy. They end up learning new skills away from football, and they’re trying to figure themselves out too.

“On the pitch the intensity and their volumes are different. They go from three training sessions and a game per week, to a five- or six-day week, overlayed with gym sessions and the intensity of being in an environment that wants them to perform and develop.

“It’s all about trying to make it fun and enjoyable because they’re still kids, while also trying to educate them as much as possible.”

When it comes to the U19s, U20s and U21s, players might be required to go and play non-league or lower-league football.

The approach to sports science and medicine is tailored to different age groups and, as Carlos explains, maturation is a big part of that.

“I think the biggest difference is that when they’re transitioning through the U16s, U17s and U18s you’re seeing this big physical change.

“When they get older they’re not getting growth-related injuries, and you’ve got the ability to push them.

“You can also start saying ‘right, you’ve more matured now – what does performance start to look like.’

“You want to win all the time but when you’re getting up into the PDP you’re fine-tuning things. It starts off quite global in terms of making sure you’re able to meet the physical demands of the game, but you’re then able to nitpick.

ACADEMY INSIGHT: SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - Image 3

“It might be things like if you were lighter would you perform better, are you fast enough, are you able to turn well enough.

“The players need to perform on game day and sometimes it’s about load management too. Certain lads might not be equipped to do the sessions we do, so their periodisation for the week might be completely different, but it means they can peak at the right times in the year.

U21s Charlie Casper, Joe Bauress and Murray Campbell have been away with the first team in Portugal this week, and Academy players regularly train with Scott Parker’s side throughout the season.

Will and his team are tasked with helping to manage that balance, ensuring players get the output they need.

“It’s great to see lads stepping up to train and play with the first team – that’s what we want them to do,” he continued.

“Sometimes we have to be slightly reactive in mornings and be able to adapt, but we have very strong links with the first team.

“We have Academy staff sitting in their meetings with the aim of bridging the gap and making it a seamless transition with good communication.

“When there’s opportunity for the lads to step up or go out on loan we can’t hold them back or say they’re not ready, because it could change their careers completely.”

Share this post