Follow your Talent #1:
Academy Details and How to join it (Arabic Translations Available.)
Article by: Minna Ibrahim.
S.A.K Football Academy is considered one of the largest women's football academies in Egypt. It depends on developed training methods and known by its professional trainers. Additionally, they are considered to be one of the most flexible academies, offering flexible schedules for those studying and training at the same time, allowing girls to focus on their studies and pursue their passions.
Academy History
The Academy was found in 2016, when a small group of girl-friends who are passionate towards football started training together in a five-a-side field, under the mentoring of their brothers who were ex-youth-players in famous clubs in Egypt like Al-Ahly. After that, the academy started being quite popular, and a lot of Egyptian players started joining it besides some foreigner players as well .
As the number of girls in training grew, so did their ambitions and in 2017, a first team was officially registered in the Egyptian Women's League (Second Division), winning their first official title and promotion to the Premier League after major struggles throughout the league.
This year, 2023, the Academy has been on the pitch for almost eight years.
Academy Branches
The academy has 4 branches acroos Egypt, 2 branches in Cairo (Tagamoa and Maadi) and 2 branches in Alexandria (Maamoura and Green Plaza).
Academy Achievements
The academy has been a football-home for more than 500 Egyptian girls over the years playing in official Egyptian Leagues weather in the Premier League, Second Division or youth teams. Moreover, they’ve got the second place in Egyptian Women’s Cup 2, and they’ve won bronze in the Regional Egyptian Youth Team's League.
The Teams Of The Academy
The academy has 2 main teams. Team (A) which is named " El-Amireya Youth Team" that competes in in the Premier League and Team (B) that's named "El-Zohour Sporting Club" which is competing in the Egyptian Women's Football League - Third Division. Since there’s no Egyptian Youth League as it was ruled, the youngsters take part in the first team in the official leagues. Furthermore, since 2016 they have 9 teams under their supervision.
What Makes The Academy Special
SAK helps the girls reach their full potential. But what makes them so special is that they don't only focus on tactically and physically enhancing the girls' game, they provide them a safe and steady community where they can share the love for the game. They always ensure the girls are enjoying each and every training session so it feels more like an enjoyable weekly activity. Making sure yearly camps are held where the girls can grow closer together enhancing their bond and friendship off-the-field.
Also they organize an external SAK amateur-league with neighborly academies to host friendlies on a weekly-basis for those girls who aren't joined in the EFA Leagues so they can improve and get real-life on-ground match experiences.
Age Limitations:
No age limitations are required, their youngest players start from 6 years and their oldest active player is currently 37 years old.
Making sure each age group gets their defined training session and gets the freedom to develop.
Registration Process
“Everyone is welcome with zero complications!” The girl joins the academy in a training session in any active branch, the first session is always free. On the second session you pay the monthly fee and that way you are subscribed. After a minimum of one month, the registered girl must also get the team's official outfit. The prices are affordable and there are discounts for longer subscriptions (3/6 month plans, etc.).
However, whenever they sign up a girl for EFA tournaments, they don't charge her any fees, their management takes care of that. However, legally, they must give the EFA certain documents of the registered girl (portrait, birth certificate, etc.).
S.A.K and The Academic Field
“The majority of active Egyptian girls playing the game, whether in an amateur level or professional, do always have tasks to do before/after training. Whether that is work, studying, lectures, etc - all is covered.”
SAK is flexible and understanding about such things, and understands how stressful it can be to switch back and forth between hobbies and college/work/school. They work to create a schedule that works for the players - what are the nightly training sessions so far.
If it happens that any official game or an important training session comes up in the middle of a usual work/school-day hours, they're prepared with official papers to hand out to the desired place so the players can join in with an official football-letter from their end so they can be excused to miss it out or leave early.
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