Joining a football training center in France represents the best option to become a professional player. You have probably already asked yourself the following questions: how do you know if it is an approved sports complex? What are the procedures to follow to integrate it? We invite you to discover the answers to your questions in this article.
Why join a football training center in France?
You probably already know this, but it is worth remembering that almost all professional footballers have gone through training centers. In fact, these specialized schools belonging to professional clubs have detection cells established with a view to unearth new gems. They then ask them to sign an apprenticeship contract to train them using a specific training program and monitor their progress down to the smallest detail. The objective is simple: to allow these young people to integrate the world of professional footballers quickly and in the best conditions.
However, be aware that joining a football training center in France is not within the reach of all young people. Indeed, sports complexes only accept the best players who have managed to stand out thanks to a particular skill and/or technique. Thus, these schools have a team of trainers and the necessary materials to support them in their football development. For information, there are 37 training centers in France belonging to large clubs, in the first, second or third national division. In England, there are 52. Consequently, if the young player wishes to play with our neighbors, in a “ football academy » (football academy), it is appropriate to follow training in English. This will ensure that communication problems are avoided.
Which centers are approved in France?
The most popular are the training centers of Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais. And for good reason, these two clubs have distinguished themselves for many years. They are always at the top in the ranking of the best academies in France, the report of which is published every year by the FFF (French Football Federation). Below is the list of structures put in place to ensure the training of young players.
- AC Ajaccien
- AJ Auxerre
- Amiens SC
- Angers SCO
- AS Monaco
- AS Nancy-Lorraine
- AS Saint-Étienne
- Chamois Niortais FC
- Clermont Foot 63
- Dijon FCO
- Before Guingamp
- ESTAC Troyes
- FC Lorient
- FC Metz
- FC Nantes
- FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
- Girondins de Bordeaux
- The Berrichonne of Châteauroux
- Le Havre AC
- LOSC Lille
- Montpellier-Hérault SC
- Nimes Olympic
- OGC Nice
- Olympique Lyonnais
- Olympic Marseille
- Paris Football Club
- Paris Saint Germain
- Lens Racing Club
- Strasbourg Racing Club
- Caen Malherbe Stadium
- Brest Stadium
- Stade Lavallois
- Reims stadium
- Stade Rennais FC
- Toulouse FC
- Tours Football Club Association
- Valenciennes FC
It is good to note that these academies attached to professional clubs are approved by the Ministry of Sports and the FFF. The mission of each specialized school is to prepare young players to face the demands of high-level professional football. However, support is not only provided on a sporting level, but also on an educational and academic level. Generally speaking, these young students with proven talent must obtain at least their baccalaureate, as you can see by finding out about the level of studies of Kylian Mbappé For example. This is often to enable them to study coaching at the end of their professional football career.
How to enter such a center?
The safest way is to be identified by a professional recruiter. It is primarily based on footballing talent. Thus, the young player must distinguish himself from his teammates and opponents. To increase your chances ofjoin a football training center in France, two options are available to the future professional footballer, in particular by participating in:
- One day of detection;
- A internship football within a professional team (duration ranging from 1 to 2 weeks).
The principle adopted by the biggest football clubs is simple: recruit younger and younger talented players. Indeed, this will make it easier to instill in them the culture of the structure. Thus, it is not uncommon to see young talents aged 10 or even 8 years old joining training centers.
