Every academy in England runs under the EPPP - the Elite Player Performance Plan. If your child is in, or hoping to join, an academy, this is the system that shapes their experience. Here it is in plain English.
What is the EPPP?
The EPPP is the Premier League's long-term youth-development framework for English academies. It was agreed by Football League clubs in October 2011 and rolled out from the 2012-13 season. It grades every academy, sets standards for coaching and welfare, and governs how young players are recruited and compensated.
The Category 1-4 system
Academies are independently audited and placed into one of four categories based on facilities, coaching, education, welfare and productivity. Importantly, a category describes the academy's audited standard - not the first team's division. Some Championship clubs hold Category 1 status; some Premier League clubs do not.
| Category | What it means |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | The elite tier - most resources, most coaching hours, can recruit nationally from Under-12. |
| Category 2 | High-level and professionalised, at lower cost than Cat 1. |
| Category 3 | Regional development and accessibility focus. |
| Category 4 | Older age groups and late entrants only. |
The number of Category 1 academies (commonly reported as around 25) changes year to year as clubs are re-audited.
Contact time
Coaching hours rise with age and category - roughly 4 hours a week in the Foundation Phase (Under-9 to Under-11), around 10-12 hours in the Youth Development Phase (Under-12 to Under-16), and full-time in the Professional Development Phase. Category 1 academies typically deliver more contact time than lower categories.
The "90-minute rule" and why it's controversial
Before the EPPP, academies could only sign under-18s living within 90 minutes' travel. The EPPP relaxed this for higher-category academies, letting Category 1 clubs recruit nationally (provided they arrange education and accommodation). Critics argue this lets the biggest clubs pull the best young players out of smaller clubs' catchments - the single most debated change the EPPP made.
Compensation and criticisms
The EPPP replaced the old tribunal system with a fixed fee scale when a young player moves between academies (widely reported as around £3,000 per year for ages 9-11 and roughly £12,500-£40,000 per year for ages 12-16, plus appearance-based fees). Smaller clubs argue these set fees undervalue their development work, and the cost of running an academy has pushed some clubs to close or downgrade theirs.
The category label matters less than the fit: contact time, coaching quality, travel, education and how a club looks after its players all shape whether an academy is right for an individual. If you are weighing up options, our directory lists academies and coaching near you, and you can get an honest read on your own level with the free Pro Potential test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EPPP in football?
The Elite Player Performance Plan is the framework, introduced in 2012, that governs academy football in England. It grades academies into Categories 1 to 4 based on facilities, coaching, resources and productivity, which affects contact time and how young players are recruited.
What is the difference between a Category 1 and Category 4 academy?
Category 1 academies have the most resources, coaching hours and the widest recruitment reach; Category 4 academies operate mainly at older age groups with fewer resources. A higher category does not guarantee a better experience for every individual player.
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