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Elite Soccer collaborates with Portsmouth FC Academy
September 9, 2025
Elite Soccer is delighted to team up with Portsmouth FC Academy to deliver our professional development programme to a group of coaches across the club’s academy.
This exciting new collaboration gives the Championship side’s academy access to high-quality external CPD – aligned to Elite Soccer’s comprehensive player and coach development syllabus – on a flexible schedule that is responsive to the individual needs of the coaches.
A commitment to development
The intention of this collaboration is to further support the development of the academy staff, many of whom hold the UEFA A license and wish to further their coaching understanding.
This was led by the club’s Head of Academy Coaching, James Barlow, who recognised the unique opportunity to support coaches.
James Barlow, Head of Academy Coaching, Portsmouth FC says:
"This partnership provides our coaches with a unique opportunity to go beyond formal qualifications and refine their own methodology. It will act to deepen their understanding of how they prioritise player development and enables them to foster a community of practice.
"The collaboration will support Pompey’s existing internal CPD programme."
Ben Bartlett, Technical Director, Elite Soccer says:
"Portsmouth FC’s commitment to player and coach development extends, significantly, beyond mandated qualifications and licensing towards a motivating, industry leading aspiration to better support each individual within their environment in ways that are both intuitive and responsive.
"A global community of ambitious Elite Soccer coaches and practitioners will also reap the rewards of this particular collaboration.
"James and the team of coaches at Portsmouth bring an engaging enthusiasm for further enhancing their coaching craft and this presents an opportunity to support and challenge them in ways that sustain the rhythm of their already strong internal professional programme of player and coach development."
Tools to support the entire academy
In addition to our world-class CPD programme (anchored by the Elite Soccer Coaching Award) the entire Portsmouth academy staff has access to Elite Soccer’s session library, featuring training plans written by leading Premier League, English Football League, European, and international managers.
About Elite Soccer
Elite Soccer is a professional development programme that gives coaches a structured development course that helps them refine their own methodology, alongside access to training sessions designed by top managers. It goes beyond formal qualifications, offering practical tools, fresh ideas, and a supportive global coaching community.
About Portsmouth FC
Established in the 2007/08 season to discover and train young talent from the region for promotion to the first team, the Academy has won the Football League Youth Alliance South-East Conference. Operating at Category Three status, the academy provides professional coaching and support for a clear pathway into the senior squad. In addition to developing players on the field, the academy fosters a strong footballing culture and builds strong local connections.
For more information contact:
Kevin Barrow
Managing Director, Elite Soccer
Since 2010 Elite Soccer has given subscribers exclusive insight into the training ground practices of the world’s best coaches. Published in partnership with the League Managers Association we have unparalleled access to the leading lights in the English leagues, as well as a host of international managers.
Elite Soccer exclusively features sessions written by the coaches themselves. There are no observed sessions and no sessions “in the style of”, just first-hand advice delivered direct to you from the coach.
