As a recognised National League Football Academy, Dartford FC Academy forms part of our player pathway to First Team football at the club.
We aim to create a learning environment where talented young players, many of whom have been at professional clubs, can progress. While winning is important, our emphasis focuses on the way we play.
Therefore, we aim to develop players who have tactical, as well as technical, skill by using a well-balanced learning syllabus.
Head of Youth Academy: Russell Searle
Lead Development Phase Coach: Zach Bowden
Lead Foundation Phase Coach: Zack Hamid
The Academy is divided into two phases, Foundation (u7s-u11s) and Development (u12s-u16s) and this, we believe, meets the requirements of the FA strategy, ‘The Future Game’ and mirrors the approach taken in the professional academy environments through the Elite Player Performance Plan.
All Academy coaches are fully qualified UEFA B or FA Level 2, or are working towards that minimum standard, and are all DBS checked, and First Aid trained.
Signed players will have the chance to play against Professional clubs’ academies or other highly-experienced, FA-recognised academies; follow a structured training syllabus; attend Player Progress meetings and have a clear pathway to the Post +16 Academy and, ultimately, to Dartford FC First Team.
All home games are filmed for analysis and players have access to the club’s Physio and Sports Science Department.
At u16s (school year 11), our players trial for the club’s main Academy if they have achieved the standards required. Here, the signed Academy players continue their education, for school years 12 & 13, by taking a B-TECH course at the Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park, whilst receiving football coaching and representing the Academy in the National League Football Academy South and in the SCL Development League.
Head of Recruitment: Zach Bowden
Please note: Our club policy insists we only take players who can attend each required training session, so they must live within easy travelling distance from Dartford.
To organise a trial, a parent/carer must email our head of recruitment or fill in the following form.
Head of Youth Academy: Russell Searle
Lead Development Phase Coach: Zach Bowden
Lead Foundation Phase Coach:  Zack Hamid