VARDY’S TALENT SCHOOL
JAMIE VARDY, the Premier League’s top scorer (right), is launching a football school — in a bid to find the next non-League star.
JAMIE VARDY is poised to launch a new academy in his name that will look to find more non- League talent capable of playing higher up the football ladder.
The summer school, named V9 Academy (logo below), will give selected players a week of Premier League standard coaching at a base in England, and provide technical, tactical, physical, and psychological analysis.
The aim is to discover potential hidden gems who, like Vardy, missed an early chance to join a professional club but have the right ability and mentality.
Vardy said: ‘There are players out there in a similar position to where I was, that just need an opportunity.
‘More and more drop out of the system early. For me, it was at Sheffield Wednesday when I was 16 because they thought I was too small. I remember how that felt and it’s difficult to come back from or even think about the professional game.
‘I’ve thought for some time that something could be done about it and after conversations with my agent and my fiancee, Becky, we decided to set up V9 to give those players a shot at earning professional contracts, and also to learn and understand what it takes to be a professional at the highest level.’
At the end of the course each player will be given personalised information detailing strengths and areas for improvement. They can use this portfolio as a benchmark for future development.
Around 60 players are expected to join the inaugural V9 Academy from hundreds of anticipated hopefuls.
It is likely they will be split into four squads of 15 to work in a team-like environment and provide a competitive feel during the seven-day residential course. They will play matches against each other and may also face Under 21 teams from professional clubs.
Scouts from clubs up and down the football pyramid will be invited to observe.
Players will be picked based on position to ensure a balanced intake. Mental fortitude, desire and work ethic are seen as significant. Vardy is on the brink of breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 10-game Premier League scoring record because of his strong-mindedness as much as ability, and a focus will be placed on that element of a player’s game.
The first camp is scheduled for summer 2017 but scouting will start next season with the possible offer of a scholarship for particularly bright talents. Vardy, Barclays Premier League top scorer with 13 goals, has been working on the project for many months with his long-time agent John Morris, of Key Sports.
Morris secured Vardy’s £1million move from Conference side Fleetwood Town to Championship Leicester in 2012. In 2014 he took Joe Lolley from Kidderminster Harriers to Huddersfield Town and last summer helped Jamie Insall go from Stourbridge in the 10th tier to Hibernian in Scotland.
Vardy added: ‘There are a lot of good players in the Conference. Often it’s a case of teams not willing to risk it. Fortunately for me, Leicester did.’
Website V9Academy.co.uk has been set up for applications.