1. Welcome to the parents of Talented & Gifted players
Walsall FC Community Programme
Parents
Information
Walsall Football Club
The Banks’s Stadium
Bescot Crescent
Walsall
WS1 4SA
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
Welcome to the parents of Talented & Gifted players

2. Marc Wilkes – T&G Development Centre Manager
Walsall FC Community Programme
Introduction:
Topics to be covered this evening include:
Restructure
Development Pathway
Timetables and Coaches
Costs and Payment
Elite Player Performance Pathway
Coach Responsibility
Assessments
Signing, Moving and Releasing Players
Development Centres
Goalkeeper Training
Training Kits
Games Programme
Pre-Match Routine
Physiotherapy
Website
Case Studies
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
Marc Wilkes – T&G Development Centre Manager
Contact hours (Phone – / )
9am to 5pm weekdays or any time –

3. Structure: Walsall FC Community Programme
The whole Programme will be called The Walsall FC Talented & Gifted Development Programme, which will now be made up of a 3 Tier Development Pathway. These 3 Tiers are as follows
Tier 1 – Elite Development (Banks’s Stadium)
Tier 2 – Advanced Development (Shelfield Community Academy)
Tier 3 – Assessment/Development (Willenhall E-Act Academy)
Parent & Player Information….
Elite Players & Parents will receive feedback 6 times a season. 2 of which being a formal documented sit down assessment at the half way and end of the season.
Advanced Players & Parents will receive a formal documented Assessment also at the half way and end of the season.
Development/Assessment players will be a ongoing sessional observational assessment.
Games Programme for Elite (U7-U16) & Advanced (U7-U14)
Age Appropriate Coaching Syllabus
Upward and Downward opportunities within our Pathway.
Trial opportunities throughout the season.
Commitment of training twice a week (Elite & Advanced)
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

4. Walsall FC Community Programme
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
This diagram shows our Coaching Pathway, highlighting the potential opportunities within our Programme from participation, education, apprenticeship and full time employment.

5. WALSALL FC ABOUT THE BENEFITS Course Delivery
In partnership with:
WALSALL FC
Coaching Academy – 2017/2018
“Opportunities in Education and Sport within a Professional Football Club are few and far between. The Coaching Academy offers an excellent opportunity for the students to begin a potential career pathway within the Sports Industry”
ABOUT
The Coaching Academy offers are unique variety of opportunities for students aged 16 to 18. As well as providing an equal balance of Practical and Theory within the 2 year course.
Walsall College is the venue for students to study and obtain a Active IQ Certificate Level 2 in Activity Leadership, which is designed for anyone that wants to work in the Sport and Leisure Industry. As well as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, which is suitable for those who are looking to progress onto higher national qualifications and degree’s, and also for those looking to choose a career in Sports Development. (dependant on GSCE grades).
Walsall FC Community Programme will be the setting for students to gain invaluable Coaching hours as part of their work based learning, within the Professional environment of Walsall FC.
Here students will have the opportunity to obtain more Football specific Coaching Qualifications, which students will be given the upmost support
from WFCCP Coaches.
APPLY NOW as places are limited!!
THE BENEFITS
Sport Specific Qualifications
On Course Coaching Opportunities
Club CPD and Mentoring Support
CV and Reference Building
Learn within a Professional Club Environment
Possible Casual Work
Employment Pathway
Walsall FC Uniform (compulsory to purchase)
Course Delivery
Held at venues within Walsall College and Walsall FC - The Banks’s Stadium
To discuss the course in further detail or to make an interview booking please contact:
Marc Wilkes:

6. Coach Detail & Contact:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Coach Detail & Contact:
Due to the Development of the Programme and a larger intake of players,, we have had to increase the Coaches that run groups and sessions. The coaches are as follows:
Head Coaches for the Elite Squads:
Marc Wilkes – FA L3 & FA Youth Award L3 –
Adam Davy – FA L4 & FA Advanced Youth Award –
Scott Sumner – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Alex Moore – FA L2 –
Luke Nash – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Coaches for the Advanced & Development Squads:
Martin Manley – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Jon Paul Surrell – FA L1 (Working towards L2) –
Aaron Bryan – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Matt Meese – FA L2 –
Liam Pike – FA L1 –
Chris Draper – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Henry Fisher – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Peter Whitehouse – FA L2 & YA M2 –
Coaches for Goalkeeper Development:
Simon Phillips – FA L3 –
Jon Warner – GK L1 & FA 2 –
Luke Worthington – GK L2 & FA 2 –
Assistants will be in attendance at all sessions. These assistants are employees of WFCCP
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

7. Banks’s Elite Timetable 2016/2017:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Banks’s Elite Timetable 2016/2017:
Below is the timetable for each age group:
Day
Under 6/7
Under 8
Under 9
Under 10
Under 11
Under 12
Under 13
Under 14
Under 15
Under 16
MON
5pm – 6pm
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
5pm – 7pm
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
This is the timetable for Season 2016/ Term dates are as follows:
Term 1 – WB 12th September 2016 to WB 5th December 2016 (Not inc. Half Term)
Term 2 – WB 9th January 2017 to WB 3rd April 2017 (Not inc. Easter)
Term 3 – WB 24th April 2017 to WB 17th July 2017 (Not inc. Whitsun)

8. Advanced (Shelfield) Timetable 2015/2016:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Advanced (Shelfield) Timetable 2015/2016:
Below is the timetable for each age group:
Under 8
Under 9
Under 10
Under 11
Under 12
Under 13
Under 14
Mon
5pm – 6pm
Tues
Weds
Thurs
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
This is the timetable for Season 2016/ Term dates are as follows:
Term 1 – WB 12th September 2016 to WB 5th December 2016 (Not inc. Half Term)
Term 2 – WB 9th January 2017 to WB 3rd April 2017 (Not inc. Easter)
Term 3 – WB 24th April 2017 to WB 17th July 2017 (Not inc. Whitsun)

9. Assessment/Development (Willenhall) Timetable 2016/2017:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Assessment/Development (Willenhall) Timetable 2016/2017:
Below is the timetable for the Assessment/Development Centre :
Under 8
Under 9
Under 10
Under 11
Under 12
Under 13
Mon
Tues
Willenhall
Centre
5pm - 6pm
Wed
Thurs
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
This is the timetable for Season 2016/ Term dates are as follows:
Term 1 – WB 12th September 2016 to WB 5th December 2016 (Not inc. Half Term)
Term 2 – WB 9th January 2017 to WB 3rd April 2017 (Not inc. Easter)
Term 3 – WB 24th April 2017 to WB 17th July 2017 (Not inc. Whitsun)

10. Cost & Payments: Walsall FC Community Programme
All payments are to be paid on a half termly basis, within the first week on a new 6 week cycle. For any reason you are unable to half termly, and wish to play on sessional basis, please speak to your son’s coach. Cheques can be made to Walsall FCCP for those wishing to pay in this way. It is easier for us to manage the subscriptions if payments are made in full at the first session of every half term.
Payments records are kept by the Coaches and in our Community Office.
The breakdown of coaching fees within each Development Tier are as follows……
The Elite Development (Tier 1) Coaching Fees are £50 per Half Term (x6). This will be over a 6 week period and consisting of 12 sessions.
The Advanced Development (Tier 2) Coaching Fees are £45 per Half Term (x6). This will be over a 6 week period and consisting of 12 sessions.
The Cost at our Assessment/Development Centre (Tier 3) will be £25 per Half Term.
Signed Goalkeeper Coaching Fees are as follows; Elite £50, Advanced £45, paid on a Half Termly basis to their OUTFIELD Coach.
*Any sessions missed/cancelled due to Bank Holidays/Severe Weather etc, every attempt will be made to add them to the end of a half term/term*
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

11. Group Sizes: Walsall FC Community Programme
The following guidelines are in place for matches:
Under 7’s & Under 8’s to play 5/6-a-side football on match days
Under 9’s & Under 10’s to play 7/8-a-side football on match days
Under 11’s & Under 12’s to play 9 v 9 football on match days
Under 13’s and above to play 11 v 11 football on match days
With this in mind we need to consider the following:
Group sizes for individual age groups
Number of players involved on match days?
Frequency of signing and releasing players to the programme (twice per season at both Tier 1 & 2)
Effect on the Walsall FC Academy
Game time for players on match days (particularly away games)
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

12. COACH RESPONSIBILITY:
Walsall FC Community Programme
COACH RESPONSIBILITY:
MEDICAL CONSENT FORM:
We have a medical consent form that we would like all parents to sign. This form is to give consent for medical emergency decisions to be made by hospitals in the event of serious injuries when parents are non-contactable.
CONTACT & COMMUNICATION:
Due to the increase in numbers of players Marc is finding it difficult to contact all players for every situation that arises.
You will find that contact and communication will be through the coaches of the age groups. Likewise, can parents get into the habit of contacting their coaches rather than Marc (unless he is your coach!)
CONTACT TIMES:
Please only contact coaches between 9am and 5pm weekdays. Emergency contact only evenings and weekend.
Text message is the preferred method of contact.
Please communicate player availability, holidays & injuries for matches and training with your coach.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

13. Assessments: Walsall FC Community Programme
As in previous years, all Elite Development (Tier 1) players will receive an Assessment mid-way through the 36-week scheme and at the end of the season. These Assessments will be on a one-to-one basis with the coaches. The results of which will determine the progression routes for all players.
In addition to this, Elite Development players will now also receive written feedback on a more frequent basis on 4 separate occasions. 2 before the half season formal assessment (Week 6 & 12) and 2 sandwiched between the 2 formal sit down assessments (Week 24 & 30).
A formal Assessment will be given to all signed Advanced Development Players within Tier 2, players will be given an Assessment Form twice a season to mirror what the Elite Development Players will be receiving. No formal one-to-one meeting will be held at this point due to facilities and time constraints, any additional feedback you require, feel free to or call your son’s Head Coach.
The mid-way assessment will be used to inform players of their progress so far, and point out any strengths or weaknesses.
As these assessments are an opportunity for parents to speak on a one-to-one basis, each time slot will be a maximum of 15 minutes.
The date for first assessments will take place before February Half Term. It is possible that players could be moved within Centres at these assessments, either up or down.
No formal assessment will be given to players within the Assessment/Development Centre (Tier 3). They will be assessed on a 6 week cycle by their coach, with movement within Tiers likely to be more frequent.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

14. 6 Weekly Review Player: ____________________________
Walsall FC Community Programme
6 Weekly Review
Player: ____________________________
Centre: ____________________________
Age Group:________________________
Date Period:_______________________
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
Feedback; For example…….Over this 6 week period Marc has shown a continual improvement within his technical ability and becoming more comfortable and competent playing off both feet. Marc is currently performing at the standard required and is developing well within the group.

15. Advanced & Development Centres:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Advanced & Development Centres:
The Talented & Gifted Pathway is a Football Development Model. The Development Centres play an important role within this. This summer the Development Centre at Willenhall has been rebranded as an Assessment Centre for a number of reasons. Mainly, this is to cater for the volume of trial requests received, as well as enabling us to offer more talented players the opportunity to showcase their ability and be coached within our programme. As a result, the standards of each individual age group and tier will improve.
To ensure that these Centres are of the highest standard possible, the following will be adhered to….
To give players an opportunity to be coached in a professional and positive learning environment alongside players of equal ability.
Games with/against the Elite groups and other Professional Club Development Centres.
Quality Control visits from Marc Wilkes each Half Term.
Potential to explore Centre Manager positions
Continual Professional Development of Coaches.
Improvement in player quality and standards of play.
Guest Passes into Elite to assess player standards.
Promotion to the Elite Squads if players meet the standards for the group.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

16. Signing, Moving & Releasing:
Walsall FC Community Programme
Signing, Moving & Releasing:
“Signing and releasing players to the Talented & Gifted Programme is a decision we do not take lightly. No promises are made that any player will get a trial at Walsall FC Academy but, for a select few, the opportunity is there.”
A number of points for consideration:
There is scope for movement between Centres (Elite, Adv, Dev)
Group sizes do not become excessive. (Extreme Maximum 16)
We are always looking to improve the standards of groups.
Pathways within our 3 Tier Assessment/Development Groups available for players.
T&G has always been, and will remain, an invitation only programme.
Players & Parents within T&G accept that assessments will be made honestly and fairly.
Release/movement of signed players will happen twice per year (Elite & Advanced)
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
“Players develop at different rates and peak at different ages. Movement of players between sessions and venues does not mean that they are suddenly poor footballers. It is the case that they are not developing in line with the group percentile at that time.”
“To maintain a reputation as a reputable development programme, assessment decisions have to be made to keep the standards as high as they are expected to be by players, coaches and parents alike at both the Development Centres and the Talented & Gifted sessions”

17. Expectations: Walsall FC Community Programme
As an invite only Development Programme, any player offered the opportunity to be ‘signed’ within our Tier System, is deemed of the standard required within that particular Tier.
As we are all aware, players of all ages can develop at a quick rate than others, and at different ages within their development. But ultimately all players will find their level……
As Coaches, one of our responsibilities is to ensure that each individual player is given the opportunity to thrive within the Tier that is most appropriate for them within each stage of their development. However, a number of considerations have to be taken, particularly when moving players up within the Tier System.
The size of the group above.
The standard of the individuals above (Better or Different).
Direct comparisons with a similar type of individual player.
The confidence and temperament of the player (Strive or Struggle)
Would the player benefit from being one of the best players and staying with his current group.
Their current physical development.
Overall impact and consistency, both within training and games programme.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

18. Goalkeeper Training: Walsall FC Community Programme
As Goalkeeping is such a specialised position, it is essential that they receive the required Technical Coaching, as well as their Game Understanding Coaching with their age group. The Goalkeepers will attend the 2nd session of the week of the outfield training programme, due to the sessions being more game related (See Coaching Delivery Timetable for Tier and Age Group training days).
The Goalkeeper Sessions are as follows.....
Fridays 6pm – 7pm (U12’s – U16’s) at The Banks’s Stadium (Astroturf).
Saturdays 10.30am – 11.30am (U7’s – U11’s) at The Banks’s Stadium ( Astroturf).
We have to be very selective when signing Goalkeepers, for obvious reasons only 1 Goalkeeper can play at one time.
However due to our new Tier System, we have the capacity to have 2 Elite (Tier 1) and 2 Advanced (Tier 2) Goalkeepers within each age group. Only if they are of the required standard of course.
Assessments for the Goalkeeper will mirror the format in which the outfield player take, twice a season. Based on these Assessments a decision will be which tier is most suitable.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

19. Training Kit: Walsall FC Community Programme
As always if players have purchased our Training Kit, we would like them to wear it for both training and matches as it adds professionalism to the Programme.
For players who are recently signed to our Programme, within any of the 3 Tiers, can purchase the Training Kit from our Online Shop on our website Or if you wish to go direct to the Macron website,
As of the start of the 2016/17, all signed players within the Programme will be required to purchase the Training Kit ‘Starter Pack’.
This ‘Starter Pack’ will consist of a Training Top, T-Shirt, Shorts & Socks, and will also act as playing kit within the Games Programme.
To have all players training in the same kit adds professionalism and maintain high standards .
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

20. Elite Development - Fixture List 2016/2017
Walsall FC Community Programme
Games Programme:
Elite Development - Fixture List 2016/2017
October Half Term (Thursday 27th October 2016)
Hosts: Walsall Visitors: WBA (BC) & York City
VENUE: Shelfield Community Academy, Broad Way, Pelsall, Walsall WS4 1BW
Christmas Half Term (TBC)
Hosts: Derby County Visitors: Walsall
VENUE: TBC.
February Half Term (Friday 24th February 2017)
Hosts: Cardiff City Visitors: Walsall & ………….
Easter Week 1 (Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th April 2017)
Hosts: Walsall Visitors: Luton Town & Cardiff
VENUE: Shelfield Community Academy, Broad Way, Pelsall, Walsall WS4 1BW.
Easter Week 2 (Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th April)
Hosts: Burton Albion (U13-U16) Visitors: Walsall
VENUE: TBC
Hosts: Walsall (U7-U12) Visitors: Derby County
VENUE: : Shelfield Community Academy, Broad Way, Pelsall, Walsall WS4 1BW.
Whitsun (Friday 2nd June 2017)
Hosts: WBA (Worcs) (U7-U11) Visitors: Walsall, Stoke City & York City
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

21. Pre-Match: Walsall FC Community Programme
We would like to establish a match day routine that all players, parents and coaches follow to raise levels of professionalism and good habits:
The night before we would encourage players to prepare their own kit, eat a sensible meal and go to bed at a sensible time.
Arrive on time and in correct kit. Don’t kick footballs around on car parks and outside changing rooms.
Put players name in all training kit. Players are responsible for their kit not parents and coaches.
BRING A KIT BAG (Keep possessions together) Kit bags are available online but any bag will do.
Bring an appropriate drink. Drinks to be the responsibility of children not parents.
Pay match fees at the start of the game so that this task is out of the way.
NO PARENTS IN THE CHANGING ROOMS (unless coaches ask) This is a Child Protection issue.
Once the players are under the supervision of coaches we ask that parents refrain from coaching from the side of the pitch.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

22. Follow us on Twitter: @WFCCP
Walsall FC Community Programme
Website:
All details regarding our Talented & Gifted Development Programme will be updated on a regular basis. The direct link to the T&G page is:
Please see this area of our website for details regarding:
Training Times / Curriculums & Alterations
Match Details
Codes of Conduct
Player Information Sheets
Follow us on
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

23. T&G In Numbers: Walsall FC Community Programme
A few facts and figures on our Talented & Gifted Development Programme…..
Approximately over 250 players within our 3 Tiers
9th Development Season
72 Graduates from T&G into Academy
35 of which still within the Academy System (+50% Retention Rate)
1 current Professional at Championship Club
2 previous T&G Graduates at current Category 1 Academies (U13’s&U16’s)
27 current players have successfully been retained over 5 seasons
Of the current players…..
7 from Development (Tier 3) to Advanced (Tier 2)
4 from Development to Advanced to Elite
31 from Advanced to Elite
Of the previous graduates…..
2 from Advanced to Elite to Academy
2 from Development to Advanced to Elite to Academy
Plus many, many more………
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

24. T&G In Quotes: Walsall FC Community Programme
Below are a number of quotes from parents in which their son has taken different routes within the Talented & Gifted Development Programme…..
“ The two key things that Walsall T & G have given to Kian, is emphasis on continuous technical improvement and the confidence to play in any team and trust in his own ability.
Over the 6 years Kian has been here he has consistently improved year on year in every aspect of football.
His game understanding and football language far outweighs his age and that can only be attributed to the Walsall coaching staff ” – Father of Kian, Elite U14’s
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
“ Walsall FC Academy and T&G has a sound community structure, where the children’s football development and enjoyment is key. Plus communication with parents also be being a clear priority “. – Father of Rory, Elite U9’s

25. Case Studies: Walsall FC Community Programme
There are, and have been, a number of success stories and successful case studies of players from the T&G programme……
However more recently, 2 of our ex T&G Players have joined our Coaching Team as Modern Apprentices within the Community Department at Walsall FC.
Liam, 17, and Mario, 18, were founder players when the Development Programme started back in Both of which have taken full advantage of the Coaching Pathway we have in place, and given an opportunity post U16 to continue their development, in a Coaching capacity with us at Walsall FC Community Programme.
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme

26. Hope you have found this helpful. Feel free to get in contact…
Walsall FC Community Programme
The End!:
Hope you have found this helpful.
Feel free to get in contact…
Talented & Gifted – Development Programme
A copy of this presentation will be made available on the T&G pages of the WFCCP website and / or ed to parents...