FAW Cautions Parents Against Misleading Private Football Academies

Wales’ football governing body has issued a warning that private organizations presenting themselves as academies are misleading parents seeking high-level football coaching for their children. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) expressed increasing concern regarding the proliferation of unaccredited training entities that label themselves as academies despite lacking the necessary licensing or regulatory oversight. This warning coincides with allegations that Natasha Harding, a former Wales star now identified by her married name Allen-Wyatt, accepted payments for children’s coaching services through her Tash Harding Academy that were subsequently not provided. Ms Allen-Wyatt has acknowledged the cancellation of “some sessions” due to factors beyond her influence and has offered an apology to the individuals impacted. Officially licensed football academies offer a structured progression for highly talented young players to hone their abilities, with the ultimate goal of entering professional football. The FAW has created the National Academi, which encompasses registered and affiliated academies in Wales, classifying them into A, B, or C categories. Exclusively these categorized organizations are permitted to use the term “academy,” and any private operation utilizing the FAW logo or branding for promotional purposes will be instructed to cease doing so. The BBC has received information indicating that FAW legal representatives contacted Ms Allen-Wyatt, requesting the removal of the FAW badge from the initial branding of her coaching venture. Ms Allen-Wyatt did not provide a response to inquiries regarding this matter when the accusations against her initially surfaced. Drew Sherman, who heads the FAW National Academi, stated: “There is ambiguity around the term academy.” He added: “People are selling the dream who aren’t necessarily accredited or qualified to make that dream a reality.” Sherman further commented that official academies provide “a good environment for any child,” staffed by FAW-qualified personnel who have undergone background checks and possess first aid certification. A concern exists regarding the indistinct boundary between training programs designed for the most gifted young players aspiring to professional football and those that offer a broader, recreational setting. The FAW recognized the validity of both types of programs but emphasized the critical need for parents to understand the distinction when enrolling their children. Approximately 3,000 children participate in 18 FAW-accredited academies; among these, 14 maintain the complete structure of 10 age group teams, ranging from under-8s to under-19s. The other four clubs operate with half of this age group structure. Neil Ward, chief executive of Penybont FC, which operates an A-licensed academy, noted a “growing trend” of private coaches lacking licenses referring to their operations as academies. He advised parents to be “more inquisitive” and inquire about aspects such as minimum coaching qualifications, duration of training, supplementary support for physical preparation, safeguarding measures, and first aid provisions. Ward further stated: “What’s important is that parents reassure themselves about the quality of provision by researching who’s providing the coaching and are they regulated under the governing body.” Welsh academies receive financial support from UEFA and levy fees from parents, contrasting with English academies, which are free of charge. Mr Ward attributed this difference to superior funding for Football League clubs in England, noting that in Wales, the cost amounts to approximately “£1.50 to £2 per session over 40-plus weeks of training per year.” He also commented: “It’s affordable and helps us offset some costs, and we also fundraise to keep costs down as much as possible.” For girls’ football, the FAW operates academies in both north and south Wales, catering to promising players between the ages of 11 and 17. Additionally, opportunities for supplementary training are available via the FAW’s development centre, which offers a specialized program of competitive matches for girls playing against boys. Paul Kirton, founder and managing director of Team Grassroots, an organization representing amateur football, voiced concerns regarding the widespread increase of what he termed “so-called academies” throughout England and Wales. He stated: “There’s been an explosion in private football coaching providers who use academy in their title and in some cases charge four or five times more than grassroots clubs.” Kirton added: “People think they’re paying for something special but actually it’s not any different from the grassroots club.” He further asserted that the term “academy” should be exclusively employed by coaches who have received an A, B, or C ranking from the FAW. He concluded: “The inference of that word is that it’s something professional, whereas the reality might be something completely different.” The FAW stated its recommendation for parents, carers, and football clubs to “undertake safeguarding and business assurances when engaging with third party providers, who are not affiliated to a national governing body,” noting that safeguarding guidance is accessible online.