Frequently Asked Questions
- Am I eligible for the programme? Is my football good enough?
- I already play at semi-pro level and am aiming for a professional career. Will I get anything out of the course?
- How do I book?
- What happens next?
- What kit is needed?
- What is the ratio of coaches to students?
- How do you organise players of different levels?
- What qualifications and experience do the coaches have?
- What happens if a student is injured or unwell during the programme?
- Is there a physiotherapist?
- What should players do if they are worried about something during the programme?
- Do participants have to pay for extra things during the programme?
- How can we keep in touch during the programme?
- Can parents stay at Campus El Sabio?
1. Am I eligible for the programme? Is my football good enough?
The GHA programmes are intensive and so it is important that you are a committed player and love your football! GHA is keen to encourage players at all levels of the game and the coaches will be adept at analysing accurately levels of skill and experience and devising an appropriate training programme. We want our players to feel confident in their group but also stretched and challenged regardless of their previous football background.
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2. I already play at semi-pro level and am aiming for a professional career. Will I get anything out of the course?
The Evaluation and Development programme means exactly what it says – a chance to step back away from match pressure, get a new objective perspective on your game and sound professional guidance on how to move forward. We want you to attend for a month and leave a better player. The use of performance analysis software will enable the coaches to look closely at your individual skills and handling of the ball as well as your off the ball contribution on the pitch. With your video profile at the end of the programme you will have evidence of your progress and achievements.
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3. How do I book?
Please complete the online registration form indicating the preferred course and start date. Applicants over the age of 18 who are financially independent and living separately from their parents may submit the form themselves. For all other applicants the form must be completed and submitted by a parent or legal guardian.
We will acknowledge safe receipt of the form by return and, as soon as possible thereafter, will send you an email confirming whether there is a place available on your chosen course. This booking pack will include:
- An acceptance letter;
- A brief supplementary form so that you can let us know the student’s footballing background and any medical or dietary requirements and confirm contact details;
- A copy of the booking terms and conditions and the GHA code of conduct;
- An e-invoice and guidance on payment methods.
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4. What happens next?
When your payment comes through we will acknowledge this with thanks and will send you a travel form for you to complete and email back to us as soon as you have confirmed travel and insurance arrangements. This is to ensure that we know when to expect the student and can monitor any late arrivals. You will also be able to indicate if you wish the student to join the GHA transfer from Gibraltar airport to Campus El Sabio.
The programme fee may be paid in full when you receive your booking pack or you may opt to pay in two instalments with 50% to secure your booking (non-refundable) and the balance due no later than 6 weeks before the start of the programme. We will send you a courtesy reminder when the final payment date is approaching.
Payments may be made by PayPal (preferred method) or bank transfer. Full details will be included with your booking pack.
When you are making your travel arrangements please ensure that the student arrives in good time for the first event of the programmme.
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5. What kit is needed?
Advice on what to bring will be included in the pre-departure information sent to participants. All participants will be issued with the Glenn Hoddle Academy strip.
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6. What is the ratio of coaches to students?
We anticipate that there will be at least 2 resident coaches with each group of 20 participants. On a day to day basis the number of coaches involved will depend on the activity. There will of course be a large number of team sessions but all participants will also receive individual guidance on their game.
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7. How do you organise players of different levels?
All players will be carefully assessed at the start of the programme and allocated to the squad which is best suited to their playing experience and skill level. As the course progresses and improvements become evident, adjustments in the squads will be made. It is a priority that all players see progression in what they are doing. When they look back at the end of their stay with GHA they should see a marked difference in their levels of skill and understanding of the game and return home with the confidence that they are a better player and that they know how to move to the next step of their football journey.
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8. What qualifications and experience do the coaches have?
All GHA coaches have their UEFA A or UEFA B licenses. They are well-qualified for their coaching role having either first-hand experience of playing at professional level or professional qualifications in sport-science with knowledge of the latest developments in performance analysis, coaching, nutrition and fitness.
The coaches are also qualified first aiders, given safe-guarding training and are CRB checked.
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9. What happens if a student is injured or unwell during the programme?
The GHA coaches will be keeping a close eye on the well-being of all participants and training sessions will be carefully structured to minimise the risk of any injury. Should a player have any medical concerns, he should speak to his coach who will take appropriate action. All coaches are trained in first-aid and there is also a sick bay at Campus El Sabio. There are also comprehensive medical facilities in the hospital in Jerez. It is important that all participants have comprehensive travel insurance which includes medical cover.
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10. Is there a physiotherapist?
GHA has an arrangement for physiotherapy to be provided by a professional practice in Jerez. Should more specialised medical help be required this will be arranged as mentioned above.
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11. What should players do if they are worried about something during the programme?
Any participant who has a concern should not hesitate to speak to one of the Glenn Hoddle coaches who will be resident with the group at Campus El Sabio. They are approachable, experienced and very supportive. We would always encourage our students to ask at an early stage if they are not sure about something, no matter how small, rather than let it worry them. The administrative staff at Campus El Sabio are also very helpful and work closely with the GHA coaches and staff.
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12. Do participants have to pay for extra things during the programme?
Accommodation and three meals a day are included in the programme fee. The only additional expenses are likely to be your flights plus:
- Any additional snacks or drinks purchased from vending machines available on site.
- Any souvenirs or other purchases on the excursions.
- Any additional activities participants choose to undertake. Further details will be provided on optional excursions, golf lessons etc with the pre-departure information.
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13. How can we keep in touch during the programme?
Apart from during the training sessions and meals, mobile phones will be permitted and there will be access to computers for keeping in touch by email. A 24-hour emergency contact number will be provided should you wish to speak urgently to a member of staff. <back to top>
14. Can parents stay at Campus El Sabio?
As the number of rooms at El Sabio is limited and in order to ensure that the participants themselves are able to enter whole-heartedly into their football academy experience we do not provide accommodation for family members to accompany a player. It may be possible for a short morning or afternoon visit to be arranged should a parent be visiting Jerez independently.
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