Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

Club Statement.
'As we continue to look to develop the football club, QPR can confirm it is our
intention to submit an application for our academy to achieve Category 1 status.

If successful, we will be one of only 30 clubs in English football to have such
recognition of its youth setup.

This move further demonstrates the ownership group's long-term commitment to
the continued development of our academy, and a sustainable football strategy.

What does this mean?
Such status comes with a number of strategic advantages that will help us to maximise
the potential of our academy and the quality of the education and training that our
young players will receive.

As a Category 1 academy, we would:

⁠Be eligible to compete in the top tier of national competitions, such as Premier League 2,
EFL Trophy and the U15 Premier League Floodlit Cup
⁠
Be allowed to cast our youth recruitment net beyond the current radius that we are
allowed to recruit from
⁠
Obtain a more significant fee for academy players when they decide they want to leave
but we would prefer that they stay
⁠
Be provided with the gold star standard and reputation that parents of the best young
talents in the country seek in a potential destination for their son

It is important to state at this stage that there are no guarantees for any club who
applies for Category 1 status.

However, we believe we have the fundamental requirements in place to be successful.

CEO Christian Nourry said: “This is an important next step for us as we look to develop
and enhance every area of the football club.

“The next 18 months will be a major undertaking for our academy director Alex Carroll
and his staff as they seek to meet the increasingly elevated standards that are required
by the relevant institutions in order for us to successfully upgrade from our current Category
2 status.

“If successful, this will be another landmark milestone in the bright future that I believe
we are all building for this football club.”

Academy Director Alex Carroll added: "I am extremely grateful to Christian and our ownership
group for the belief shown in the potential of our long-term youth development strategy.

"The academy football landscape in London is highly competitive, and this news confirms our
ambition to compete against the very best clubs in our area - as well as nationally.

"The significant investment in our facilities at TSG Training Centre will go a long way to
attracting and retaining the very best talent - on and off the field - for our academy."