Club makes formal application to move to Category Three Academy status
- Huddersfield Town makes formal application to expand its Academy
- Club submits application to the EFL to move to Category Three
- Comments from Chief Executive Jake Edwards
We can confirm that a formal application has been made to the English Football League (EFL) to upgrade the Huddersfield Town Academy to Category Three status.
Now that the paperwork has been submitted, assessment of our Academy will now be undertaken by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company across the 2023/24 season, with the change of Academy status being applicable for season 2024/25.
This audit process is thorough and challenging and a successful outcome for that season cannot be taken for granted but, if successful, this change would involve the reestablishment of the ‘schoolboy’ Academy age groups from Under-9 to Under-16 inclusive, adding to the higher age groups that currently sit under our B Team structure.
Huddersfield Town Chief Executive Jake Edwards commented:
“The future of the club’s Academy has been right at the top of the priority list for our new owner, Kevin Nagle, even ahead of the completion of his purchase of the club in the summer, and this is an important first step towards our plans.
“The Board believes the expansion of the Academy is of the upmost importance for the club, both in terms of player development and community engagement. We will take the best elements of the existing B Team player development model and begin to apply them at younger age levels, and I’m sure that will excite parents of budding footballers across our region.
“Although this process is challenging, we are committed to providing the resources to make this possible. This is an important first step towards our future vision for the club.
“We’ll endeavour to keep our supporters updated as we continue this process.”
