No—we offer 2 football coaching programmes a development and elite group. We group players based on their current level, ensuring each child trains in an environment that supports their development and confidence. Whether your child is just starting out or already playing at a good level, they will receive high-quality coaching tailored to their needs.

Our aim is simple:
Help every player reach their full potential through professional coaching and structured development.

Full-Time IOF Football Academy, training daily from 4–5pm on Monday and Friday, with games on Wednesday at 1pm and Tuesday & Thursday from 6–7:15pm.

Yes—this is one of the key pathways within our programme.

IOF Academy has a proven track record, with 108+ players progressing into professional football clubs since 2007.

We provide young players with opportunities to experience academy-level environments through fixtures, training events, and showcase opportunities. In recent years, this has included experiences with clubs such as:

• Manchester United FC
• Leeds United FC
• Nottingham Forest FC
• Derby County FC
• Sheffield United FC
• West Bromwich Albion FC

Players who are already signed with professional clubs can also train within our programme through a hybrid development model, designed to support and enhance their academy training.

No—our training schedule is designed to work around school commitments.

Additional football opportunities include:

• School fixtures during designated games afternoons on a Wednesday.

This structure allows children to fully focus on their education while still benefiting from high-quality football coaching.

Yes—players have access to both school and elite-level team opportunities.

School Development Football-

The school runs a strong football programme, including fixtures and tournaments through the Independent Schools FA, providing an excellent environment for development, quality football and enjoyment. All players on the programme will get game time on a Wednesday.

Elite Pathway - IOF Mavericks FC-

For more advanced players, there is the opportunity to progress into our partners IOF Mavericks FC, which competes in the Midland Junior Premier League—one of the highest standards outside of professional academies. The IOF Mavericks FC is run separate and external to the IOF Academy

• Entry is by selection only due to the high level performance required to play at this standard
• Teams typically begin from U12 level
• This team is selection only, and gives the players something to work towards, but due to the high standard of the league, the team remains selection only based on ability and performance.

Players are also free to continue playing for their existing grassroots clubs alongside our programme.

Yes- IOF Academy uses kit supplied by Adidas. Upon joining the programme you will be sent a kit booking form for you to complete. IOF will order the kit and will have it waiting for when your child starts the course. Additional kit can also be purchased throughout the year.

The players start their journey at Pre Academy level ages 5 - 11 years and can train twice a week at the school. At age 12 (school year 7), players can apply to join the IOF Football Academy Full Time Programme.

At IOF Academy, all players receive the same expert professional coaching, delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches, along with the same number of coaching hours and athletic development sessions. Our programme is designed to provide every player with a high-performance training environment, regardless of their current level.

All players will be assessed upon joining the programme and placed into the most suitable group based on their current ability. Players are then continuously monitored and can progress between groups as their development improves.

The key difference between the High Performance and Development programmes is where players gain their match experience (game time).

• The High Performance Programme is for players currently operating at an academy or advanced level. These players compete in higher-level fixtures and, if selected, may also have the opportunity to play for our partner club's IOF Mavericks FC or Uttoxeter Town FC. This is a separate, external elite programme where squads are recruited from both inside and outside the school, allowing us to form highly competitive teams that compete in top-level leagues and showcase fixtures regularly attended by professional scouts.
• The Development Programme is for players who are still progressing towards that level. These players compete in fixtures suited to their current stage of development, allowing them to build confidence, technical ability, and game understanding in a competitive but appropriate environment.

All players represent the academy in the ISFA Independent Schools League, with fixtures played on Wednesday afternoons (September through to March/April) as part of the school curriculum, ensuring a consistent and competitive games programme.

In addition, Development players benefit from opportunities such as the World Student Games in Barcelona, supporting their ongoing development and experience.

For clarity, the IOF Academy programme operates separately from IOF Mavericks FC. However, selected players from the academy may be invited to participate in both programmes depending on their ability and performance level. IOF Mavericks FC is a selection-based elite team, designed for players competing at the highest level.

In summary, the difference is not the quality of coaching or training — it is the level and environment of match play, ensuring every player develops at the right pace while having a clear pathway to progress.