Training theory sessions held across VCF Soccer Academies in Europe

The VCF Academy maintains a close relationship with each of the 15 VCF Soccer Academy projects the club have abroad, with bases in North America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

One of the objectives is to expand the Valencia CF brand, spread a love for the club and also instil the successful working methodology of the VCF Academy, which has established itself as one of the five best youth systems in Europe, according to a CIES Football Observatory report.

There is more and more interest in learning about methods used at the Ciudad Deportiva and passed on to International Academies, and the club have adapted to the current circumstances to provide online workshops in the absence of face-to-face visits.

The most recent such workshop took place last month, with a training seminar held in which around fifty coaches from the VCF Soccer Academy in Southeast Europe participated.

"The basic objective is to introduce them to our working methodology," explains Toni Navarro, Coaching Coordinator for the International Academies. "It is also about updating how we have changed certain elements, so that improvements can be made when it comes to training players.”

“We want the coaches of our International Academies to work as closely as possible with us, so that the players can develop as if they were at the Ciudad Deportiva. That way, we make sure that the coaching they receive meets the high standard of quality of the VCF Academy.”

Online training is carried out on a fortnightly or monthly basis with each of the VCF Soccer Academy groups, using theory sessions adapted to the level of familiarity with the Valencia CF methodology that each has.

"We are using the situation to go a more theoretical route, now that some VCF Soccer Academies -such as those in Southeast Europe- cannot carry out training on the pitch due to the health situation,” says Navarro

In addition to the exclusive workshops for VCF Soccer Academy coaches, the VCF Academy also conducts webinars that are open to other coaches, such as that recently held in Italy -attended by more than 100 members of the Italian VCF Soccer Academy and other clubs.

“What most attracts their attention is how we periodise learning and objectives for the long-term development of players. We have a plan that is adapted to the player during all of the years he is at the VCF Academy,” highlights Navarro.