PREMIER LEAGUE

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES
FACILITIES
Facilities
268. Each Club which operates an Academy shall ensure that:
268.1. it provides as a minimum the facilities and accommodation set out in this section of
the Rules; and
268.2. in respect of Category 1 Academies, such facilities and accommodation are available
for the exclusive use of its Academy at all times when it requires access to them in order
to comply with these Rules.
269. The facilities and accommodation to be provided by each Academy (as referred to in
Rule 268.1) are set out in the following tables. Save where otherwise indicated, or with the
permission of the Board, all such facilities and accommodation shall be provided at the Club’s
principal venue for the coaching and education of Academy Players.
269.1. Grass pitches
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Category 1 a) A sufficient number of grass pitches of the appropriate
sizes (as required by the Rules relating to Games
Programmes and with goals sized as required by the
Rules relating to Games Programmes) to enable the
Club to play all its matches in the Games Programmes
and fulfil its commitments under these Rules as regards
coaching. Rule K.27 shall apply to Academy pitches.
Without prejudice to the generality of the Rule, each
Club shall ensure that the quality of its pitches used for
matches in the Games Programmes is not adversely
affected by coaching taking place on them. Clubs may
accordingly need to have a greater number of pitches
than the bare minimum necessary to fulfil matches in
the Games Programme.
Rule K.27 shall apply to Academy pitches.
b) One floodlit grass pitch enclosed with perimeter fencing
and with designated areas for spectator attendance
(save that if a Club is unable to obtain planning
permission for floodlighting then the requirement for
floodlighting shall be waived);
c) A designated area (on grass) for the coaching
of goalkeepers.