Struggles
Facing Players Who Aren't In A Pro Academy At 16
The harsh reality is that talented football players often face enormous challenges if they do not secure a scholarship at a pro club academy by the age of 16. This situation typically boils down to two main issues: either the players aren't deemed good enough, or they haven't had the right exposure to impress professional club scouts. Such predicaments can be frustrating for both players and parents, especially when considering the path to potentially becoming a professional footballer. Without the right exposure and opportunities, the question remains: how do players maintain their skills and consistently demonstrate their abilities to scouts or clubs who may be in a position to help them progress?
The Pitfalls of Not Being in an Elite Football Academy
Players
outside an academy environment find themselves at a disadvantage due to a lack
of regular access to expert coaching, advanced training techniques, tactical
advice, performance analysis, quality fixtures, and opportunities to impress.
Many talented individuals, including those with a positive mindset or late
bloomers, struggle to bridge this gap. This reality often means that these
promising young footballers never fully realize their potential, falling behind
their peers in elite football academies in the UK or overseas.
A Lack of Adequate Guidance for Players and Parents
The advice given to players and parents, as well as the information typically available, is often insufficient and disappointing. Regrettably, very few are aware of the diverse options available to those unwilling to abandon their dreams of becoming professional footballers. Players should be in an environment equivalent to or surpassing the level of coaching, training, facilities, fixtures, and exposure provided by pro club academies.
Dispelling the Myth: Balancing Football and Education
A widespread misconception is the supposed necessity to choose between football and education. However, it's crucial to understand that this isn't the case. Football training typically occupies only 2-3 hours a day, leaving ample time for those who wish to continue their studies. While some may advocate the "USA College route with football scholarships" as the best path, in our perspective, football university programmes in the UK and other countries provide superior prospects for players.
How We Can Assist
While we cannot promise that every player will become a professional footballer – a notoriously challenging feat – we have witnessed a significant number of players transition to professional football through our recommended programmes. We're always excited to share these success stories with you upon request!
The
Key to Success
By providing players with an environment equivalent to pro academies, we've seen players make considerable strides in their football development. Many show greater ambition and drive than academy players who may have become complacent over time. Regular exposure to scouts through quality fixtures significantly enhances a player's chances of gaining opportunities, providing they reach the required standard.
The
Best Programmes for Your Football Journey
The programmes we endorse, which have undergone our meticulous vetting process, feature expert coaching, outstanding facilities, exceptional fixtures, and education if desired. They offer regular exposure to professional clubs and boast proven success stories, with players progressing to professional clubs worldwide. Our role is to understand your preferences and individual circumstances to recommend the programmes best suited to you, saving you the time, stress, and hassle of finding these on your own.
Transparent
Services
While
our recommended programmes and universities involve costs for the programme,
food, accommodation, and tuition, our advice is entirely independent, free, and
without obligation. We are reimbursed by our partners through their marketing
budgets, ensuring that our clients aren't burdened with extra costs. Our team
comprises professional scouts and experts with exceptional knowledge and
experience in football.
Your
Next Steps
To
start, please complete the form above. Answer a few questions on the following
pages, and we will provide you with initial recommendations based on your
responses. One of our team members will then reach out to arrange a more
detailed discussion to narrow down your options and introduce you to our partner
programmes if appropriate. We are happy to answer any questions you have –
providing honest, transparent advice and ensuring you receive assistance every
step of the way is our highest priority.
UK Football Schools Limited trading as UK Football Academy Finder Terms & Conditions
PLEASE NOTE Football Guardians Ltd Terms are separate and are included below these terms
a) UK Football Schools Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 11256870 with its registered office at The Pool Innovation Centre, Trevenson Road, Redruth, United Kingdom, TR15 3PL; and
b) UK Football Consulting Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 11884059, with its registered office at The Pool Innovation Centre, Trevenson Road, Redruth, United Kingdom, TR15 3PL.
When we mention "we", "us" or "our" in these terms, we are referring to both of these companies, unless stated otherwise.
(a) Phone or email. Call customer services on 07940 410739 or email us at Chris.woodburn@ukfootballschools.com. Please provide your name, home address, details of the booking and, where available, your phone number and email address.
(b) By post. Print off the form (available in the SCHEDULE to this contract) and post it to us at the address on the form. Or simply write to us at that address, including details of what you bought, when you ordered or received it and your name and address.
10.7 Complaints. If you are unhappy with our services, we will do our best to put things right – please contact our Customer Success Team for more information about how we handle complaints. If you are unhappy with how we have handled any complaint, and it relates to a contract we entered into online or by other electronic means, you may also be able to submit your complaint to a certified alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider in the UK via the EU ‘ODR platform’ (via http://ec.europa.eu/odr). The ODR platform is an interactive website offering a single point of entry for disputes between consumers and traders relating to online contracts.
Football Guardians Limited Terms & Conditions
a) Basic Package: the provision of advisory services including responding to your football related queries (for example on selection and training challenges) from our team of experts as required throughout the academic year. Our experts will discuss your child’s individual development needs and liaise with your child’s school coaches.
b) Gold Package: in addition to the services provided as part of the Basic Package, a professional scout will attend one of your child’s school football games per season and provide a scout report at the end of the academic year. This package includes a place at a 5-day football training and trial camp (held in either April or August) organised by our sister company, UK Football Trials Ltd. You may also purchase additional add-on services as part of this package.
c) Platinum Package: in addition to the services provided as part of the Basic and Gold Packages, your child will receive the following:
a) if what you have bought is faulty or misdescribed you may have a legal right to end the contract (or to get the product repaired or replaced or a service re-performed or to get some or all of your money back), see clause 12;
b) if you want to end the contract because of something we have done or have told you we are going to do, see clause 9.2; or
c) if you have just changed your mind about our products or services, see clause 9.3.
a) If you wish to change your mind in respect of our services. If you wish to cancel any of your services, you have 14 days after the day we email you to confirm we accept your order. If you cancel within this period, we will refund any money paid by you in respect of such service. See clause 11 below for details of how to cancel your order. Please note that if you request cancellation of your order within the 14 day cancellation period and we have started to provide the services to you, then you will have to pay us the cost of services you have received up to the point when you notify us of cancellation.
b) If you wish to change your mind in respect of our products. If you have bought any of our products (other than as set out below) you have 14 days after the day you (or someone you nominate) receive the product(s) to change your mind. If you cancel within this period, we will refund any money paid by you in respect of such products. See clause 11 below for details of how to obtain a refund. However, please note you do not have a right to change your mind in respect of any customised products you have ordered (this includes the personalised football boots).
a) Phone or email. Call customer services on 07940 410739 or email us at Chris.woodburn@ukfootballschools.com. Please provide your name, home address, details of the booking and, where available, your phone number and email address.
b) By post. Print off the form (available in the SCHEDULE to this contract) and post it to us at the address on the form. Or simply write to us at that address, including details of what you bought, when you ordered or received it and your name and address.
a) if the products are faulty or misdescribed; or
b) if you are ending the contract because we have told you of an upcoming change to these terms, an error in pricing or description, a delay in delivery due to events outside our control or because you have a legal right to do so as a result of something we have done wrong.
In all other circumstances (including where you are exercising your right to change your mind) you must pay the costs of return. Please note you do not have a right to change your mind in respect of any customised products you have ordered (this includes the personalised football boots).
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to UK Football Schools Limited, trading as UK Football Academy Finder (‘UKFAF’) privacy notice.
UKFAF respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy notice will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you visit our website (regardless of where you visit it from) and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
This privacy notice is provided in a layered format so you can click through to the specific areas set out below. Alternatively, you can download a pdf version of the policy here www.ukprivateschoolfinder.com/privacy_policy.pdf . Please also use the Glossary to understand the meaning of some of the terms used in this privacy notice.
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND WHO WE ARE
2. THE DATA WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU
3. HOW IS YOUR PERSONAL DATA COLLECTED
4. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
5. DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA
6. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
7. DATA SECURITY
8. DATA RETENTION
9. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
10. GLOSSARY
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND WHO WE ARE
PURPOSE OF THIS PRIVACY NOTICE
This privacy notice aims to give you information on how UKFAF collects and processes your personal data through your use of this website, including any data you provide when you register to use our website, subscribe to our service, attend football trials and/or when you report a problem with our site. The information you give us may include your name, address, e-mail address and phone number, demographic information and interests.
It is important that you read this privacy notice together with any other privacy notice or fair processing notice we may provide on specific occasions when we are collecting or processing personal data about you so that you are fully aware of how and why we are using your data. This privacy notice supplements the other notices and is not intended to override them.
CONTROLLER
UK Football Schools Limited (trading as UK Football Academy Finder) is the controller and responsible for your personal data (collectively referred to as ”the company”, “we”, “us” or “our” in this privacy notice).
We have appointed a data protection officer (DPO) who is responsible for overseeing questions in relation to this privacy notice. If you have any questions about this privacy notice, including any requests to exercise your legal rights, please contact the DPO using the details set out below.
CONTACT DETAILS
Our full details are:
Full name of legal entity: UK Football Schools Limited
Name or title of DPO: [James Price]
Email address: james.price@ukfootballtrials.com
Postal address: Pool Innovation Centre, Trevenson Rd, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3PL
Telephone number: 07961 864468
You have the right to make a complaint at any time to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk). We would, however, appreciate the chance to deal with your concerns before you approach the ICO so please contact us in the first instance.
CHANGES TO THE PRIVACY NOTICE AND YOUR DUTY TO INFORM US OF CHANGES
This version was last updated on 01 January 2024 and historic versions are archived and can be obtained by contacting us. The data protection law in the UK changed on 25 May 2018. This privacy notice sets out most of your rights under the new laws.
It is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your relationship with us.
THIRD-PARTY LINKS
This website may include links to third-party websites, plug-ins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.
2. THE DATA WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU
Personal data, or personal information, means any information about an individual from which that person can be identified. It does not include data where the identity has been removed (anonymous data).
We may collect, use, store and transfer different kinds of personal data about you which we have grouped together follows:
We also collect, use and share Aggregated Data such as statistical or demographic data for any purpose. Aggregated Data may be derived from your personal data but is not considered personal data in law as this data does not directly or indirectly reveal your identity. For example, we may aggregate your Usage Data to calculate the percentage of users accessing a specific website feature. However, if we combine or connect Aggregated Data with your personal data so that it can directly or indirectly identify you, we treat the combined data as personal data which will be used in accordance with this privacy notice.
We do not collect any Special Categories of Personal Data about you (this includes details about your race or ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, information about your health and genetic and biometric data). Nor do we collect any information about criminal convictions and offences.
IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE PERSONAL DATA
Where we need to collect personal data by law, or under the terms of a contract we have with you and you fail to provide that data when requested, we may not be able to perform the contract we have or are trying to enter into with you (for example, to provide you with goods or services). In this case, we may have to cancel a product or service you have with us but we will notify you if this is the case at the time.
3. HOW IS YOUR PERSONAL DATA COLLECTED?
We use different methods to collect data from and about you including through:
4. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
We will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we will use your personal data in the following circumstances:
Generally we do not rely on consent as a legal basis for processing your personal data other than in relation to sending third party direct marketing communications to you via email or text message. You have the right to withdraw consent to marketing at any time by Contacting us.
PURPOSES FOR WHICH WE WILL USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
We have set out below, in a table format, a description of all the ways we plan to use your personal data, and which of the legal bases we rely on to do so. We have also identified what our legitimate interests are where appropriate.
Note that we may process your personal data for more than one lawful ground depending on the specific purpose for which we are using your data. Please Contact us if you need details about the specific legal ground we are relying on to process your personal data where more than one ground has been set out in the table below.
Purpose/Activity |
Type of data |
Lawful basis for processing including basis of legitimate interest |
To register you as a new customer |
(a) Identity (b) Contact |
Performance of a contract with you |
To process and deliver your services including: (a) Manage payments, fees and charges (b) Collect and recover money owed to us (c) Pass on to authorized school contacts as required |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Financial (d) Transaction (e) Marketing and Communications |
(a) Performance of a contract with you (b) Necessary for our legitimate interests (to recover debts due to us) |
To manage our relationship with you which will include: (a) Notifying you about changes to our terms or privacy policy (b) Asking you to leave a review or take a survey |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Profile (d) Marketing and Communications |
(a) Performance of a contract with you (b) Necessary to comply with a legal obligation (c) Necessary for our legitimate interests (to keep our records updated and to study how customers use our products/services) |
To enable you to partake in a prize draw, competition or complete a survey |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Profile (d) Usage (e) Marketing and Communications |
(a) Performance of a contract with you (b) Necessary for our legitimate interests (to study how customers use our products/services, to develop them and grow our business) |
To administer and protect our business and this website (including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, system maintenance, support, reporting and hosting of data) |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Technical |
(a) Necessary for our legitimate interests (for running our business, provision of administration and IT services, network security, to prevent fraud and in the context of a business reorganisation or group restructuring exercise) (b) Necessary to comply with a legal obligation |
To deliver relevant website content and advertisements to you and measure or understand the effectiveness of the advertising we serve to you |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Profile (d) Usage (e) Marketing and Communications (f) Technical |
Necessary for our legitimate interests (to study how customers use our products/services, to develop them, to grow our business and to inform our marketing strategy) |
To use data analytics to improve our website, products/services, marketing, customer relationships and experiences |
(a) Technical (b) Usage |
Necessary for our legitimate interests (to define types of customers for our products and services, to keep our website updated and relevant, to develop our business and to inform our marketing strategy) |
To make suggestions and recommendations to you about goods or services that may be of interest to you |
(a) Identity (b) Contact (c) Technical (d) Usage (e) Profile |
Necessary for our legitimate interests (to develop our products/services and grow our business) |
MARKETING
We strive to provide you with choices regarding certain personal data uses, particularly around marketing and advertising. We have established a privacy centre where you can view and make certain decisions about your personal data use the following personal data control mechanisms:
PROMOTIONAL OFFERS FROM US
We may use your Identity, Contact, Technical, Usage and Profile Data to form a view on what we think you may want or need, or what may be of interest to you. This is how we decide which products, services and offers may be relevant for you (we call this marketing).
You will receive marketing communications from us if you have requested information from us or purchased goods or services from us or if you provided us with your details when you entered a competition or registered for a promotion and, in each case, you have not opted out of receiving that marketing.
THIRD-PARTY MARKETING
Unless as otherwise stated, we will get your express opt-in consent before we share your personal data with any company outside UKFAF for marketing purposes.
OPTING OUT
You can ask us or third parties to stop sending you marketing messages at any time by emailing us at to chris.woodburn@ukfootballtrials.com to adjust your marketing preferences or by following the opt-out links on any marketing message sent to you or by Contacting us at any time.
Where you opt out of receiving these marketing messages, this will not apply to personal data provided to us as a result of a product/service purchase, product/service experience or other transactions.
COOKIES
You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this website may become inaccessible or not function properly. For more information about the cookies we use, please see the website cookie policy.
CHANGE OF PURPOSE
We will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason and that reason is compatible with the original purpose. If you wish to get an explanation as to how the processing for the new purpose is compatible with the original purpose, please Contact us.
If we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose, we will notify you and we will explain the legal basis which allows us to do so.
Please note that we may process your personal data without your knowledge or consent, in compliance with the above rules, where this is required or permitted by law.
5. DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA
We may have to share your personal data with the parties set out below for the purposes set out in the table in paragraph 4 above.
We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. We do not allow our third-party service providers to use your personal data for their own purposes and only permit them to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions.
6. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
We do not transfer your personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
7. DATA SECURITY
We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.
We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so.
8. DATA RETENTION
HOW LONG WILL YOU USE MY PERSONAL DATA FOR?
We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.
In some circumstances you can ask us to delete your data: see Request erasure below for further information.
In some circumstances we may anonymise your personal data (so that it can no longer be associated with you) for research or statistical purposes in which case we may use this information indefinitely without further notice to you.
9. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
Under certain circumstances, you have rights under data protection laws in relation to your personal data, which are as follows and further detailed, in the section marked “Your Legal Rights” below. Please click on the links below to find out more about these rights:
• Request access to your personal data.
• Request correction of your personal data.
• Request erasure of your personal data.
• Object to processing of your personal data.
• Request restriction of processing your personal data.
• Request transfer of your personal data.
• Right to withdraw consent.
If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, please Contact us.
NO FEE USUALLY REQUIRED
You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances.
WHAT WE MAY NEED FROM YOU
We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.
TIME LIMIT TO RESPOND
We try to respond to all legitimate requests within one month. Occasionally it may take us longer than a month if your request is particularly complex or you have made a number of requests. In this case, we will notify you and keep you updated.
10. GLOSSARY
LAWFUL BASIS
Legitimate Interest means the interest of our business in conducting and managing our business to enable us to give you the best service/product and the best and most secure experience. We make sure we consider and balance any potential impact on you (both positive and negative) and your rights before we process your personal data for our legitimate interests. We do not use your personal data for activities where our interests are overridden by the impact on you (unless we have your consent or are otherwise required or permitted to by law). You can obtain further information about how we assess our legitimate interests against any potential impact on you in respect of specific activities by Contacting us
Performance of Contract means processing your data where it is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party or to take steps at your request before entering into such a contract.
Comply with a legal or regulatory obligation means processing your personal data where it is necessary for compliance with a legal or regulatory obligation that we are subject to.
EXTERNAL THIRD PARTIES
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
You have the right to:
Request access to your personal data (commonly known as a “data subject access request”). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected, though we may need to verify the accuracy of the new data you provide to us.
Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have successfully exercised your right to object to processing (see below), where we may have processed your information unlawfully or where we are required to erase your personal data to comply with local law. Note, however, that we may not always be able to comply with your request of erasure for specific legal reasons which will be notified to you, if applicable, at the time of your request.
Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this ground as you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal data for direct marketing purposes. In some cases, we may demonstrate that we have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which override your rights and freedoms.
Request restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data in the following scenarios: (a) if you want us to establish the data’s accuracy; (b) where our use of the data is unlawful but you do not want us to erase it; (c) where you need us to hold the data even if we no longer require it as you need it to establish, exercise or defend legal claims; or (d) you have objected to our use of your data but we need to verify whether we have overriding legitimate grounds to use it.
Request the transfer of your personal data to you or to a third party. We will provide to you, or a third party you have chosen, your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Note that this right only applies to automated information which you initially provided consent for us to use or where we used the information to perform a contract with you.
Withdraw consent at any time where we are relying on consent to process your personal data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we may not be able to provide certain products or services to you. We will advise you if this is the case at the time you withdraw your consent.