Youth Player Development Programme – City Football Schools
PROGRAMme HIGHLIGHTS
- Year round programme split in 4 courses: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer.
- Course 3 Summer, starts on the 20th April 2026 and runs for 11 weeks with 2 training sessions per week.
- All sessions delivered by established Manchester City Coaches, following the same philosophy used to develop City’s own players, delivered in a fun, positive and safe learning environment.
- Players experience a range of training and fixtures at the City Football Academy and will also have the opportunity to experience our other City Football Group clubs in a range of trips and tours.
Programme CONTENT
Courses have been designed to support the development of all players and will focus on:
- Learning the fundamentals of attacking play and defending.
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Developing confidence and creativity in 1v1 situations.
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Through a series of mini-games (3v3s, 4v4s…) improving understanding of the roles of players and the principles of formations and positions, preparing for 11v11 in future years.
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Have fun, learning how to make good decisions in realistic game situations, and what it means to work as a team and support each other.
Trips and Tours
Players who are on our enrolled on our Courses will have opportunities to travel and experience a range of experiences alongside their teammates:
- Play in International Tournaments around the world.
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Integrating with players from our other CFG Clubs.
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Experiencing new cultures, whilst having fun and developing themselves both on and off the pitch.
2025/26 COurse Schedule
Course 2, Winter, starts on the 5th January 2026 (12 weeks of delivery).
The weekly training times vary per age group and are:
|
Age Group |
Date of Birth |
Session 1 - Skills |
Session 2 - Team |
|
Under 8 |
01/09/17 – 31/08/19 |
Monday: |
Saturday: |
|
Under 10 |
01/09/15 – 31/08/17 |
Wednesday: |
Saturday: |
|
Under 12 |
01/09/13 – 31/08/15 |
Tuesday: |
Friday: |
|
Under 14 |
01/09/11 – 31/08/13 |
Thursday: |
Friday: |
|
Under 16 |
01/09/09 – 31/08/11 |
Thursday: |
Friday: |
FULL YEAR 2025/26 SCHEDULE
Each course has 2x weekly sessions, all aligned to the school calendar year. Sessions will take place after-school and at weekends.
- Course 1: Autumn - 12 weeks (15th September to 13th December 2025) - Course Complete
- Course 2: Winter - 12 weeks (5th January to 4th April 2026) - Course Complete
- Course 3: Spring - 11 weeks (20th April to 4th July 2026)
- - Applications coming soon
- Course 4: Summer – 8 weeks - 3x sessions (13th July to 8th September)
City Football Academy
Training sessions are delivered at the City Football Academy, home to Manchester City’s first team, Women’s team and Boys and Girls Academy teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Courses are aimed at players aged 6-16 years old, boys and girls, who enjoy playing football and are looking to improve their skills and game understanding.
All players should be physically able to participate in age-appropriate practical football training sessions.
For players with disabilities there are a number of initiatives delivered through City In The Community (CITC) where specialist staff will oversee more appropriate session content. Please visit https://www.mancity.com/community
Course prices are as follows:
- Course 1: Autumn – 12 weeks / 24 training sessions (15th September to 14th December 2025) - £510
- Course 2: Winter – 12 weeks / 24 training sessions (5th January to 4th April 2026) - £510
- Course 3: Spring – 11 weeks / 22 training sessions (20th April to 5th July 2026) - £470
There is an additional fee of £70 for training kit, payable on registration for players’ first course (including Shirt, Shorts, 2x Pairs of Socks, Rain jacket and Tracksuit bottoms).
Kit purchase is optional for players who have attended a previous Young Player Development or Holiday Program at the City Football Academy this season.
Players should arrive already changed in their kit approximately 15 minutes before the start of each scheduled session.
The address is:
City Football Academy, West Gate, Alan Turing Way, Manchester, M11 4TQ
Parking is available at West Gate car park.
Google Map link can be view here.
All players will receive an evaluation at the end of each course detailing their progress and development areas.
The courses will focus on supporting the development of all players, regardless of ability, so that each child enjoys a positive learning experience.
For any player showing the potential to be selected to join other areas of the youth development sections of Manchester City (including Junior Academy, City Select, Regional Talent Club and Academy teams) this will be done in line with the Club and FA guidelines relating to scouting young players.
All sessions will be delivered on artificial pitches.
As such, players should wear the appropriate footwear (boots for artificial/firm ground or turf trainers – no screw-in studs or running shoes).
Each player will receive a kit pack as part of their course enrolment, charged at £70 per child. Kit sizes can be viewed here.
Purchase of kit is only required upon registering for the first time.
For any sessions missed due to short-term illness, injury or other, each player will be given access to one additional make-up session per course (days/times TBC).
Each coaching session is delivered by UEFA qualified Manchester City coaches.
All coaches are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service background checked), hold ‘First Aid in Football’ qualifications and hold the FA Safeguarding Children award (trained to promote best practice to protect young people).
Players will be grouped by ability within age groups where possible to ensure maximum participation, positive learning opportunities and a fun experience for all.
Manchester City Football Club strives to ensure that everyone in our care or attending our activities feel safe and free from risk of harm. The Club takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and we are committed to creating a safe and positive environment for everyone.
View our Safeguarding Policy.
