Marvee Woods Football Academy Podcast

DC United Academy Scouting Director - Trevor Singer ("20,000 Kids. One Academy"") - Episode 29 Snippet")

For Episode 29 of my podcast, to coincide with the World Cup, I decided to do something different. On this episode, I chose to focus on how MLS academies in North America work. The MLS is more than a league with teams. The MLS is a Franchiser that owns all the teams in the MLS. All the teams in the MLS are called franchises. They are all franchises of the MLS. There are no promotions or relegations. Any team (franchise) buying or selling gives a percentage of its sales to the MLS (the franchiser). On this episode, I speak to Trevor Singer, the Academy Scouting Director of DC United, which is the second most successful team (franchise) in MLS history. DC United is based in Washington DC, the capital city in the USA. Fun fact: Wayne Rooney was also once a player and Head Coach of DC United. Trevor explains how some academies in North America have over 10,000 kids in an academy, and we compare how the academy system in the MLS academy system to the system in the UK for this special World Cup Edition.

Liverpool Academy Director - Alex Inglethorpe ("Youth Development, is when you add value to a player" - Episode 5 Snippet)

Snippet: Alex Inglethorpe, the Academy Director of Liverpool FC, tells me on Episode 5 of my Podcast. That youth development is when you add value to a player.

Port Vale CEO - Matt Hancock ("Pathways, Depth Charts and Development"") - Episode 27 Snippet")

I’m joined by Matt Hancock the CEO of EFL League 1 team Port Vale, on Episode 27 of my podcast. Matt tells me about pathways and academy depth charts. These depth charts compare players from under-9 to under-18, noting their attributes, strengths etc and are rag rated based on their potential readiness for the First Team. The depth charts are created for every position. So, let's say all the strikers from under-9 to under-18 score goals, but one in the under-15s is quick, and one in the under-18s is quick and technical, while all the other strikers throughout the age groups are similar. Those two strikers will stand out on the chart, and these are what decisions are based on comparison wise in every position in the academy. This relates to academy transfers, trialists, and release/retain decisions in most academies like the one at Port Vale.

Port Vale CEO - Matt Hancock ("The Power Of Visualation"") - Episode 27 Snippet")

I’m joined by Matt Hancock the CEO of EFL League 1 team Port Vale, on Episode 27 of my podcast. Matt tells me about adapting to unexpected changes, facing difficult times and overcoming challenges. We also discuss what drives him and the power of visualisation.

Port Vale CEO - Matt Hancock ("Self Motivation Beats Talent"") - Episode 27 Snippet")

I’m joined by Matt Hancock the CEO of EFL League 1 team Port Vale, on Episode 27 of my podcast. Matt tells me that he’s seen some good players not fulfil their potential because they thought just having talent was enough. Matt says that young players need self motivation to have a career in football.