Queens University Belfast AFC

Queen's Soccer Academy

As our former members glance at the sports pages to see how the club is doing, they will undoubtably know that, in 1996, after more than 40 years in the Irish League "B" division we were not re-elected and dropped to the wilderness of the N.I. Intermediate League for 7 years before gaining a place in the Irish League Second Division in 2003.

We lost our place in the "B" Division because our players were not good enough and we have struggled near the bottom of the table over the last two and a half seasons for the same reason.

It is vital for the future of the club that the first team retains its place in the Irish League. To do so we must significantly improve our playing standards. To achieve this we need to make the club attractive to the many good student players who currently play for other Irish League clubs.

Queen's Sport and Recreation Dept is helping the University sports clubs to set up "Academies". The Rugby club and Gaelic Football club Academies are already in place. The Rowing club will probably be next followed by Soccer.

What is an Academy?

A three-sided partnership between: -

• The sports club
• Queens University Sport and Recreation Department
• The governing body of the sport (the IFA in our case)

What are the benefits of an Academy?

The Academy will make the club more attractive to students in a number of different ways. Academy members will have access to some or all of the following benefits: -

• Top quality coaching
• Fitness and skills testing
• Sports clothing
• Financial support
• Assistance with University accommodation fees
• Assistance with tuition fees
• Workshops with expert tutors
• Individual fitness and conditioning programs
• Workshops with expert speakers
• Free access to training facilities

How will the Academy be financed?

Through money raised from/provided by: -

• The club
• Queen's University Sport and Recreation Department
• The IFA

To help raise the large amount of money required the club will: -

1. With the help and guidance of the Queen's Alumni Office, conduct a telephone fund raising campaign among our former members in the second half of 2006. In preparation for this we are compiling a list of former members. Currently we have about 400 on the list but we know that we can greatly increase this with the help of our Graduates.
2. In the future organise fund raising events eg reunion dinners.
3. Seek corporate sponsors

How will we identify potential Academy members?

We will have a full time development officer who will help us scout for players by developing links with the schools, watching players playing for school teams, organising trials etc.

How could you help us create and maintain our Academy?

In some of the following ways: -

• Help us to compile as comprehensive a list of former members as possible
• Give generously when contacted by the telephone fundraising campaign
• Help us organise reunion dinners
• Join our (currently small) Academy Committee
• Offer to assist with identifying and assessing schoolboy players who may be good enough for our Academy