VCF Academy a benchmark for national and international projects

Valencia CF continue the club’s progressive national and international expansion process, and the most recent development has been at the VCF Academy in Houston (United States). The VCF Academy continues to be a true benchmark in the training and development of young footballers, and the success of the initiative is reflected season after season in the notable increase in the number of projects around the world.

Through the 'VCF Soccer Programs', the club’s image and methodology has been shown worldwide. The methods used have brought players into the first team such as José Luis Gayà, Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres and Kang In, as well as previous homegrown stars such as David Silva, Jordi Alba, Juan Bernat, Paco Alcácer and more...

With the motto "We educate people. We train footballers", the club are committed to the comprehensive development of young talents at the Ciudad Deportiva in Paterna and internationally. The players are taught values ​​such as respect for rival teams, fans, referees and everything that surrounds football, as well as having a deep passion for the club.

The activity on a national level in Spain is mainly concentrated at the Ciudad Deportiva, where numerous professional teams, amateur teams, schools and federations are welcomed throughout the year to learn through the VCF Academy Methodology. During their stay in Valencia they also have the opportunity to carry out various training sessions with VCF Academy coaches, play friendly matches on the excellent pitches at Paterna, learn more about the club and its history through the Mestalla Forever Tour, attend LaLiga matches and take in the sights.

The number of participants is increasing every year. It should be noted that throughout 2019 there were more than 1,500 participants aged between 8 and 19 years old. The countries of origin of the participants are very diverse: The United States, with the recent incorporation of a VCF Academy in Houston; the United Arab Emirates, Panama, Australia, Japan, Haiti, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and other countries in Europe all have a connection to the club.

Other activities focus on training numerous coaches from national and international clubs to adopt the VCF Methodology. Likewise, Christmas, Easter and Summer campuses are organised, many of them linked to the ‘VCF Escoles’ project.

But the work done by Valencia CF extends beyond our borders, with other projects for the VCF Academy and International Campuses, mainly during the summer months. In 2019 a record figure was reached, with more than 60 Campuses and more than 2,600 participating boys and girls from three different continents. In Europe, the VCF Academy initiative reached Italy, the Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Cyprus; in America the United States, Canada and Panama; and in Asia it took to Japan and China.

But the work done by Valencia CF extends beyond our borders, with other projects for the VCF Academy and International Campuses, mainly during the summer months. In 2019 a record figure was reached, with more than 60 Campuses and more than 2,600 participating boys and girls from three different continents. In Europe, the VCF Academy initiative reached Italy, the Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Cyprus; in America the United States, Canada and Panama; and in Asia it took to Japan and China.

The model for International Academies that Valencia CF have in several countries brings together more than 5,100 players and 155 coaches, who carry out their activity with the seal of approval from the club. These projects are currently distributed in the following locations:

Europe: Naples (Italy), Sofia (Bulgaria), Coimbra (Portugal), Athens (Greece) and Cyprus.

America: New York, Miami, Seattle and Houston (United States) and Montreal (Canada)

Asia: Shanghai (China) and Osaka and Wakayama (Japan)

Africa: Marrakech (Morocco)

All of these International Programs are monitored and controlled by Valencia CF through the responsible coaching team, in direct coordination with the Methodology department. The intention is that the daily activity is as similar to that experienced at the VCF Academy as possible, and coaches move to the assigned locations to facilitate this. In this way, it is possible to adapt the methodology used in Paterna to the local context of each of the projects, so as to maximise the quality and impact of the VCF Academy.

In addition, each of the International Projects has the supervision of the Methodology department and the entire VCF Academy structure, such goalkeeper preparation, video analysis, fitness training and nutrition, as well as the club’s marketing, design, communication, and digital facilities.