HDperformance Academy
A term‑time football education day
A full school day, every week of term: pitch, strength & conditioning and classroom learning, led by coaches and mentors who have been through the academy pathway. For boys and girls aged 8–15, at our flagship centre at Club Doncaster Sports Village, Doncaster, and at new locations as they open.
Not just another football club
More than a football academy
| Typical football coaching | HDperformance Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Evenings and weekends | A full school day, every week of term |
| What | Football only | Pitch, strength & conditioning and classroom learning |
| Progress | Little or none | Monthly testing, Player Passport, termly report |
| Who leads | Coaches | Coaches and mentors who've been through the academy pathway |
| Ages | Varies | 8–15, grouped by stage |
What it is
Train like footballers, learn like students, grow as people
HDperformance Academy gives children one full day a week of sport-led learning. Every day mixes pitch sessions, strength and conditioning, and classroom learning, so the learning is active, not passive.
It suits home-educated children and families whose school agrees a weekly day with us. Every child is welcome, whatever their level today.
We plan to bring the Academy to more areas from 2027.
- When
- Monday to Friday, term time. Each child is placed on one day a week, based on their age and ability.
- Hours
- 9:00am to 3:00pm
- Where
- Club Doncaster Sports Village, Doncaster, at the Eco-Power Stadium (formerly the Keepmoat), home of Doncaster Rovers FC, and new locations as they open
- Ages
- 8–15, grouped by stage
Six pillars
What every Academy day builds
Running through all six: effort, hard work and enjoyment.
- 1
Football
Technical skill, coached to academy standard.
- 2
Fitness & movement
Speed, agility, strength and mobility, appropriate to age.
- 3
Wellbeing
Weekly check-ins, focus, sleep, hydration and nutrition basics, handling nerves and setbacks.
- 4
Character
Kindness, respect, honesty and sportsmanship, celebrated with weekly prizes.
- 5
Team & leadership
Captaincy, team challenges, older players helping younger ones.
- 6
The game behind the game
How professional football works, tactics, analysis, data, and careers in sport.
A typical day
9:00 to 3:00, full of variety
Pitch, gym and classroom, with breaks, lunch and prizes before home time.
- 9:00Arrival
- 9:15Register and weekly wellbeing check-in
- 9:30Football sessionTechnical skills, ball mastery, shooting, passing, dribbling
- 10:30Break
- 11:00Strength & conditioningMovement games, speed and agility
- 12:00Lunch
- 1:00Classroom sessionGame analysis, teamwork games, group tasks
- 2:00Small-sided games and challengesTournaments, penalty shootouts, fun
- 2:45Pack up and prizesBest Trainer and more
- 3:00Home time
The curriculum
Three strands, one football brain
Pitch sessions
- Ball mastery & close control
- Dribbling skills & 1v1 attacking
- Passing accuracy & weight of pass
- First touch & ball reception
- Shooting technique & finishing
- Turning skills & change of direction
- Passing combinations & link-up play
- Crossing, ball striking & long passing
- Creativity, skill moves & beating opponents
- Small-sided games & match application
Strength & conditioning
- Speed & acceleration
- Agility, balance & coordination
- Strength development & bodyweight training
- Explosive power & plyometrics
- Sprint mechanics & running technique
- Mobility, flexibility & movement quality
- Football-specific fitness & endurance
- Injury prevention, warm-ups & recovery
- Core stability & functional strength
- Athletic testing, performance tracking & goal setting
Classroom
- Football analysis & understanding the game
- How professional teams play
- Positions, formations & tactical roles
- Attacking play & creating chances
- Defensive organisation & pressing
- Becoming a better individual player
- Football statistics & performance data
- Football intelligence & decision-making
- Strength, conditioning & athletic performance
- The professional football environment
How each month works
The same four-week rhythm
Every strand follows the same cycle, so children always know what they're working towards.
Pitch
- Week 1Learn
Introduce the month's technical focus and demonstrate the key skills
- Week 2Develop
Individual drills, repetition and progressive challenges
- Week 3Apply
Realistic scenarios, 1v1s, combinations and decision-making
- Week 4Perform & review
Small-sided games, review progress, set next goals
Strength & conditioning
- Week 1Learn
Introduce the physical focus and key movement techniques
- Week 2Develop
Build strength, speed, agility, power or fitness with age-appropriate exercises
- Week 3Apply
Football-specific athletic challenges and circuits
- Week 4Test & review
Performance challenges, review progress, set goals
Classroom
- Week 1Learn
Introduce the topic, key concepts and terminology
- Week 2Analyse
Study professional teams, players and match footage
- Week 3Apply
Classroom activities, tactical challenges and group discussion
- Week 4Present & review
Present findings and link learning to their own game
Regular guest days: current and former players, S&C coaches, physios, referees, sports journalists and teachers join the day.
Who it's for
How attendance works
- Boys and girls aged 8–15, grouped by stage within the day. For younger children, ourcoaching sessions start from age 5.
- Home-educated children can join directly.
- Children at school need their headteacher's agreement to attend on a school day. We'll help you with that conversation and provide everything the school needs to consider it.
- Runs Monday to Friday in term time, at our flagship centre at Club Doncaster Sports Village, Doncaster, and at new locations as they open. Each child is placed on one day a week, based on their age and ability.
- Additional-needs and re-engagement days may be added where funding allows.
What's included
What your child gets
- A full day every week
- A private 1:1 with a coach each half-term
- An Academy kit pack
- A Player Passport
- Monthly progress testing
- Regular guest days
- A termly report and certificate
- Weekly and monthly awards
Peace of mind
Safe, supervised and looked after
- Every adult holds an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training. We have a named Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- A paediatric first aider is on site all day. Medical and allergy information is held for every child.
- Secure sign-in and sign-out, with collection by named adults only.
- Small groups with a high coach-to-player ratio, and never fewer than two adults on site.
- Weekly wellbeing check-ins, plus regular progress updates for parents.
- Full insurance. Full terms are provided on registration.
Fees and full details
Get the prospectus
Fees and full details are in our prospectus. Request your copy below.
Request a prospectus or register interest
No auditions. Every child is welcome.
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