Do Academy Players Get Paid? Youth Wages, Ages, And Contracts

Do Academy Players Get Paid?

No, U12 to U16 academy players in England do not receive a salary or regular pay. These age groups are classed as youth amateurs, so they cannot be paid as employees under the law.

But not getting paid does not mean players get nothing at all. They receive support, including weekly coaching, use of the facilities, help with education and transportation. All these benefits can be worth several thousand pounds each year, even though they are not considered wages.

Academies focus on developing young talent and making sure minors aren’t exposed to work conditions. If players were paid, employment laws, taxes, contracts and other rules would apply. This is why the FA and Premier League have strict rules to keep U12 to U16 players as part of the development group, not as employees.

Instead, young players receive a mix of support, benefits, education and some financial help. This approach is designed to ease the family’s burden and give players the best chance to grow.

Do Premier League Academy Footballers Aged U12 To U16 Get Paid?

Players in these age groups don’t receive salaries. The biggest changes from U12 to U16 are more intense training and the move toward the pre-scolar stage, not payment. The Parent Hub outlines the usual coaching hours for each academy category in the Youth Development phase (U12-U16). This explains why Category 1 academies often seem more full service, with longer hours and larger staff, but players still are not paid.

What families need to know:

• Expenses policy: Find out which costs can be reimbursed, like mileage, public transport or meals on matchdays. Ask how to submit a claim. Clubs share these policies with the league.
• Education coordination: At induction, you will learn how the club protects education, especially for players with hybrid timetables.
• Player care: Ask who your player Head of Player Care is and what life skills workshops are scheduled.

Do Football Scholarship Contracts At Age 15 Or 16 Count As Paid Employment?

Yes, they can. The Scholarship Agreement (PLYD Form 1) is an official contract focused on an Education Programme. It includes pay details and at some clubs, scholars hired as apprentices, which gives them employment rights.

When you become a scholar, a few things will change:

• You will have more hours and a heavier training load and your schedule will be organized around your education. This might include day release, block weeks or a combination of both.
• If you are an apprentice, clubs treat you like an employee. You will receive at least the apprentice minimum wage, holiday pay, time for study and other rights listed in GOV.UK guidance.
• If you perform well as a scholar, you might be offered professional terms when you turn 17 or 18. The scholarship gives you a pathway, but it does not guarantee a professional contract.

What Are The Weekly Wages For Players Aged 15 And 16?

There is no fixed amount. What you receive depends on your own situation.

If you work as an apprentice, you cannot be paid less than the apprentice minimum wage. This rate changes every April and some clubs might pay more. Check the latest rate on GOV.UK and look over your contract.

If you are not employed, you will usually get support such as meals, travel or kit. You can find more details in your scholarship paperwork and the club.

Tip: Try not to focus on the high numbers you see in forums. What you get paid depends more on your own situation, such as whether you are employed, than in general averages.

Are Players Under 15 Paid A Formal Wage?

No, pre scholar players are seen as participants rather than employees, so they don’t get paid. Clubs will cover expenses based on their academy expenses policy and report these amounts to the league each season.

Do Football Clubs Provide Compensation In Other Forms Like Travel Or Family Support?

Non wage support plays a key role in academy life.

• Support covers transport, such as mileage or public transport, match day meals and snacks and sometimes help with accommodation during busy travel periods.
• Education and tutoring, especially for scholars are included, along with player care such as life skills and wellbeing.

To make a claim, submit it within the set limits, attach proof like tickets or mileage logs and keep your own records to make sure you get all reimbursements.

How Does Academy Category Influence Player Compensation?

The category (1-4) shows how EPPP audit standards affect things like coaching hours, staffing, welfare, education and facilities. It does not set a standard pay package. Higher categories usually offer more support and have stricter schedules but every offer is different. Use the category to help you ask questions about things like travel, tutor access or medical support, rather than assuming it tells you about pay.

Do Academy Players Get Free Boots?

Most academies give players training and match kits when they register. These kits usually come from the club’s official kit sponsor.

• Category 1 and 2 academies give players a full kit and travel clothes usually.
• Category 3 and 4 academies might ask players to buy some items on their own. Most players buy their own boots, but top players in higher categories sometimes get them through brand sponsorships or club deals.
• Apprentices can also receive two pairs of free boots per season through the PFA’s official boot scheme, a program that is supported by the League Football Education (LFE). This benefit applies to all registered scholars in English academies.

Replacement is limited. Players need to take care of their gear and damaged items are only replaced when necessary.

Academy wide deals make sure players get standard kits. Some standout players may get extras like boots or bonuses through individual endorsements.

Do You Have To Pay For Academy Football?

In professional club academies, training compensation and solidarity payments are managed directly between clubs, in accordance with FIFA’s regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP, Annex 4). Families don’t have to pay these costs.

Families still might need to cover extra costs, such as travel, new boots or study materials. As a player gets older, they often travel farther for matches, which can make transport and food more expensive during the season.

Private or independent academies charge fees that cover accommodation, coaching and facilities. This works much like our full time residency model at Alicante Football Academy.

Many academies have bursaries or hardship funds to support talented players who need financial help. Even if tuition is free, families should still budget for travel, personal gear and other occasional expenses.

Do Academies Pay Sick Pay?

The help player gets when injured or sick depends on their level in the academy.

• Pre Scholarship players (U12 to U15) do not get sick pay since they are not employees. The academy offers medical care, physiotherapy and return to play plans through its medical teams. If recovery takes longer, players keep up with schoolwork at home or online.
• Scholars or Apprentices (U16 to U18) are employees, so they might get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or club sick pay if they qualify. Their rehab and progress are recorded and they keep in contact with academy staff while recovering.

Both groups receive organized medical and educational support. Players can only return to training when academy doctors or physios confirm it is safe.

Where Do Academy Players Live?

Academy players can live at home with approved host families or in club housing. The right choice depends on the player’s age, distance from training and academy level.

All arrangements must meet safeguarding standards, including background checks, adult supervision and safe living conditions. Host families are checked carefully and visited often to make sure players have privacy, good care and a safe place to stay.

Some academies help for housing with scholarships or stipends, while others ask families to pay part of the costs. Players on day release travel from home or a host family each day. Boarders stay at the academy full time during the season.

At Alicante Football Academy, we provide full residential accommodation, including meals, study spaces, supervision and 24 hour support. This helps players focus on their training and education

What Age Do Academy Players Get Signed?

Academies sign players at various stages in their development.

• In the Foundation Phase (U9 to U11), players join if they perform well in trials or are noticed by scouts.
• In the Youth Development Phase (U12 to U16), players train more frequently. They are not paid but their expenses and education are provided. Coaches review their progress each year to decide if they will continue.
• During the Professional Development Phase (U17 to U21), players train full time and keep up with their education. Players on scholarship contracts may later sign professional contracts.

Players may join through open trials, scout recommendations or by being assessed during the season. Every summer, coaches decide who will stay and who will leave.

Remember, some players develop later than others. Progress is unique for each person and is not just based on age.

How Have Academy Player Wages Changed In Recent Times?

Each year, minimum wage and apprentice rates go up, setting a new legal minimum for scholars working at clubs. These changes follow national employment laws, not rules specific to football. Meanwhile, football’s economy has grown thanks to big TV deals, global sponsors and more spending on transfers, which has changed how clubs pay young players.

Top academies now give higher allowances , bonuses and extra benefits like housing, meals or transport. There is no single scholar wage for everyone. Each club sets its own pay based on its academy category, resources and the player’s status.

As a result, the gap between well funded Premier League academies and smaller clubs with less money has grown.