CLARETS ACADEMY TO OPERATE AS CATEGORY TWO

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Burnley FC will operate as a Category Two Academy for the 2022/23 season

2022-07-26T16:06:06.730Z

CLARETS ACADEMY TO OPERATE AS CATEGORY TWO

Burnley FC will operate as a Category Two Academy for the 2022/23 season

2022-07-26T16:06:06.730Z

Burnley FC will operate as a Category Two Academy for the 2022/23 season

The decision was made after a heightened review by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) based on evolving standards.

The Clarets Academy was awarded provisional Category One status in July 2020, having moved from Category Three within the space of three years.

As per licensing protocol, the provisional two-year license had been granted in the summer of 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic with the hope to further progress the Academy through the Covid period. Mandatory Covid protocols, however, limited the ability to do so in many respects. Towards the end of last season as restrictions were lifted, the Academy received a broad review to consider the Academy progress notwithstanding the unprecedented circumstances, and whether the provisional license should be made permanent.

While applauding the Academy and the developmental achievements it has delivered, the reviewing authority concluded that at the moment the provisional license would not be made permanent, but the Club was encouraged to continue progress in securing a Category One license. Whilst disappointed by the news, the Club remain committed to developing young players and creating an elite pathway for talented youngsters to progress from academy level to the first team senior squad. The Club’s intention is to continue forward to regain Category One status.

Several academy graduates have featured as substitutes for the first team during the course of the last two seasons, with the likes of Owen Dodgson and Lewis Richardson joining Dwight McNeil in making their senior debuts.

Our focus has always been to develop players that can support our first team and following the appointment of Vincent Kompany as manager, the process has been greatly enhanced which is a positive message for everyone involved in the Academy moving forwards.