Dorset FA - developing football for everyone
Development - take your skills to the next level

FA Centre of Excellence - An Overview

The FA Centre of Excellence run by the Dorset County Football Association is licensed to operate by the Football Association. The majority of Centres throughout England are attached to professional football clubs however, our Centre acts independently, and in conjunction with our Dorset Girls League affiliated Clubs. This year we will be joined by Centres throughout the South West, including: Bristol Rovers, Cornwall, Exeter City, Gloucestershire, Plymouth Argyle, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

The Dorset Centre was opened in 1998 and is now firmly established. This year’s trials for Season 2008/9 will be held  in two stages; the first in the form of summer trial/development days throughout the County, followed by the 3-week trial process in June. The addition of the afore mentioned Centres has led to the formation of a South West Centres of Excellence Fixture Programme. This will provide the players selected for the Centre the opportunity to play with and against other talented players, in order to improve both their skills, techniques and game play. These fixtures will apply to the U12, U14 & U16 age groups. 

The Football Association determines the criteria regarding the standards of organisation, facilities and personnel. These strict criteria must be met prior to a Centre being awarded a Licence to operate. The Football Association monitor the Centres by way of regular visits and consultations, to ensure that the centres standards are continually met and surpassed! To assist with this, the Football Association offers excellent support to provide access to the best information regarding sports science, sports medicine and technical programmes.

In line with developing 'the player' this Season players participating within a recognised FA Centre of Excellence programme will be ineligible to play for any League Club.

For further information please contact:

Liz Pill, FA Centre of Excellence Director, via Liz.pill@dorsetfa.com or (01202) 688280, 07908 647052.