PREMIER LEAGUE

GENERAL
1.8. “Academy Secretary” means the Official referred to in Rule 58.
1.9. “Academy Staff” means those Officials of a Club employed or otherwise engaged to work
in the Club’s Academy.
Guidance
The term “employ” is used in the Rules with reference to Academy Staff, but it is accepted that the relationship need not
necessarily be one of employment. For example, a Club may enter into a contract for services with Part Time youth
coaches whereby no employment relationship will arise. Any references to “employ” or “employment” in this section of
the Rules shall be interpreted accordingly.
1.10. “Artificial Surface” means a playing surface which in the reasonable opinion of the League
meets the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf or the International
Artificial Turf Standard.
1.11. “Audit Tool” means the online application maintained by the League and approved by the PGB
for the purpose of undertaking (in particular by the ISO) the evaluation and audit of Academies
by the assessment of:
(a) the extent to which a Club meets the minimum mandatory criteria for Academies set out
in these Rules;
(b) the extent to which it implements recommended best practice criteria which exceed the
minimum mandatory criteria and which are set out in the Audit Tool; and
(c) its Productivity Profile.
1.12. “Authorised Games” means:
(a) international matches arranged by a national association including preparation and trials
therefor; or
(b) matches in which the Academy Player plays for the Club holding his registration:
(i) in its first teams; or
(ii) which are comprised in a Games Programme; or
(iii) which are comprised in Festivals or Tournaments, participation in which is limited to
Academy teams or which are sanctioned by the Football Association or by a foreign
national association; or
(c) friendly matches organised by the Club holding the Academy Player’s registration and
played at an Academy, participation in which is limited to Academy Players registered at an
Academy or Trialists but excluding matches between two teams consisting of one Club’s
Academy Players; or
(d) friendly matches against any opposition played outside the season dates set out in the
Games Programme Schedule in which the Academy Player plays for the Club holding his
registration; or
(e) matches organised by the English Schools Football Association or Independent Schools
Football Association or an association affiliated to either of such Associations in which the
Academy Player plays with the prior agreement of his Parents (in the case of an Academy
Player under the age of 18 years) and the Club holding his registration; or
(f) trial matches for other Clubs or Football League clubs in which the Academy Player plays
with the prior written permission of the Club holding his registration; or
(g) any other match authorised by the Board.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES