Euro Football Star unveils revolutionary, fully funded EFS Academy in Brisbane for young football players.
[Brisbane, November 13, 2024]- Euro Football Star (EFS) is proud to announce the launch of EFS Academy, Australia’s first free football academy. Founded by one of the highest qualified UEFA-qualified coaches in the world and UEFA player agent Raymond Wood, this first of its kind world-class training facility will give talented young footballers aged 8-16 a place to perfect their skills and technique with the opportunity to advance to the next level and play professionally in Europe. Fully funded by Euro Football Star, the academy will open its doors in early February 2025.
As Raymond Wood has successfully recruited players from Australia & USA and signed them to super clubs around Europe, he is looking to EFS Academy for the next players to develop and recruit.
EFS Academy is a game-changing initiative designed to make elite football training accessible to all. Starting in December 2024, the academy will host trials for the 2025 intake at the Albion Sports Centre, with training set to begin in February 2025. The academy will offer 2-4 training sessions per week for boys and girls in the U10, U12, U14, and U16 age groups, using a UEFA-accredited curriculum designed by Raymond Wood himself.
Unlike traditional academies that charge thousands of dollars annually, EFS Academy is fully funded by Euro Football Star, meaning there are no fees for players to participate, removing financial barriers to high-level football training.
“The vision behind EFS Academy is to make elite football training accessible to young players in Australia, irrespective of their financial background,” says founder and author of “Professional Player Pathway,” Raymond Wood. “Currently, Australian families are burdened by expensive club memberships, academy fees, and travel costs that can total $3,000–$4,000 a year. The result? Talented kids often miss out on development opportunities because their families simply cannot afford it.”
“From my work with elite football academies in Europe and having contributed to youth development at top clubs like Liverpool FC, PSG, and Leicester City, I could see that Australia needed to follow the lead set by those overseas and make player development more financially accessible so that no talent goes wasted.”
The academy will follow a European-style curriculum used by top English Premier League clubs, with 90-minute sessions broken into focused 15-minute segments. Training will take place year-round, up to four times a week during Queensland school terms (Weeks 2-10), at the state-of-the-art Albion Sports Centre, ensuring all-weather, indoor training.
To join, players must apply for a spot, with 60 boys and 60 girls selected through an application process followed by a trial on 8th December 2024 from 8:30AM to 12:30PM.
“We want to offer a genuine alternative to the broken system that forces families to choose between their children’s sporting dreams and their financial security,” says Wood. “Our academy is not just about teaching football; it’s about creating opportunities for kids to succeed, regardless of their background.”
For players who do not make the academy intake or cannot commit to a full year of training, EFS Academy will also run additional programs such as holiday camps, 1-on-1 coaching, and overseas football tours.
To apply for a spot at EFS Academy, please email academy@eurofootballstar.com to request an application form.
ABOUT EURO FOOTBALL STAR & PROFESSIONAL PLAYER PATHWAY:
The Professional Player Pathway program is designed to help players of all skill levels, both girls and boys, elevate their game to new heights. Our training focuses on holistic player development, emphasising football-specific movements and maximising ball contact time throughout each session. With a strong emphasis on technical skills, our programs aim to build well-rounded players. Additionally, our sister company, Euro Football Star, offers unforgettable opportunities for players to experience the rich football culture in the UK.
ABOUT RAYMOND WOOD:
Raymond Wood is a UEFA Player Agent and UEFA Coach and has over 25 years coaching experience in Professional Football, working with clubs like Liverpool FC, Leicester City FC, and PSG. He also worked for the English Premier League on the EPPP, the world’s largest football project to develop better homegrown players. Obtaining over 26+ football and sports development qualifications during his career, Today, Raymond brings those decades of high-level football experience together at Euro Football Star as he searches for players who want to make it as a Pro. He specializes in Youth Foundation, Youth Development and Match Analysis for players between 8-23 years.
