Stoke City FC Academy at WISS Guide Book

2016 - 2017

STOKE CITY FC ACADEMY AT WISS





Mission Statement

To provide quality coaching for players of all ages and abilities to allow improvement of skills and enjoyment of the
game and in so doing showing the opportunities available to pursue football for the most talented and those who

wish to pursue a career in the game as players, coaches or administrators.

A few words

About Stoke City FC Academy at WISS

ANGELA SMITH

Stoke City International Ambassador

As the International Ambassador with responsibility for the overseas development, projects and more importantly a Stoke City fan, I am
proud that we are in partnership with WISS.

The shared values of the two organisations make the project very special. Our aims are to continue to grow and develop whilst helping
every person that comes to us for coaching to be as good as they can be whilst enjoying every aspect of the training, coaching and
matches.
We look forward to every step and thanks for your support and trust.

Purpose of the Stoke City FC Academy at WISS

The Stoke City FC Academy at WISS was set up to provide premier football training for teams of students at WISS and recently to Shanghai,
to showcase the school’s extracurricular excellence and Stoke City FC’s commitment to developing new talent.

Why choose Stoke City FC Academy at WISS?

Stoke City FC is a club which is rich in history, with a very good track record of developing top players. Stoke is a community club who
believe in helping young and potential players with providing football opportunities through their community work, development squads

and their elite academy system. Stoke City FC is an EPPP Category 1 Academy, Category 1 is the highest rating given by the Football
Association to EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) academies in England.

Stoke City Football Club

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League.
Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863 the club changed its name to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. They

are the second oldest professional football club in the world and the oldest club in the English Premier League.

Stoke became a professional football club in 1885 and 3 years later they were one of only 12 clubs who formed the ‘English Football
League’. Stoke played their first ever Football League game against West Brom on 8th September 1888 in front of a crowd of about 4,500.

Stoke play in the Premier League after winning promotion in 2008; prior to this Stoke had not participated in top-flight football for
twenty-three years. Their first, and to date only, major trophy was won in the 1972 Football League Cup Final, when the team beat
Chelsea 2–1. The club’s highest league finish in the top division is 4th, which was achieved in the 1935–36 and 1946–47 seasons. Stoke
have competed in European football in 1972–73, 1974–75; and most recently in 2011–12. Stoke played in the FA Cup Final in 2011, finishing
runners-up to Manchester City and have reached three FA Cup semi-finals; in 1899 then consecutively in 1971 and 1972. The club has

won the Football League Trophy on two occasions; first in 1992 and most recently in 2000.

THE BET365 STADIUM

Stoke’s home ground is the Bet365 Stadium, a 28,116 all-seater stadium. Before the stadium was opened in 1997, the
club was based at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878. The club’s nickname is ‘The

Potters’, named after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent and their traditional home kit is a red and white vertically
striped shirt, white shorts and stockings. Stoke’s traditional rivals are Midlands clubs West Bromwich Albion and
Wolverhampton Wanderers whilst their local rivals are Port Vale with whom they contest the Potteries derby.

OUR COACHING TEAM

PETER SMITH I H E A D C O A C H KIERAN HUNT I C O A C H

UEFA (A) Qualified Kieran has joined the Stoke City FC Coaching Team here in Shanghai in September 2015. He has
Level 2 in Outfield and Goal Keeping as well as the Youth Module 3 Coaching Qualifications. Prior to
Peter Smith has taken on the role in September 2015 as The Head Coach coming to Shanghai, Kieran was working at the Stoke City FC Academy in the UK.
for Stoke City FC Academy at WISS. Smith has enjoyed a top playing and
coaching career and his coaching qualifications are all the way up to Level He has a good experience of working with the Under 8’s and Under 10’s in an academy structure
4 -UEFA (A) which is the highest coaching qualification available. and is looking forward for another successful year.

Starting as a player for Liverpool FC’s Youth and then Preston North End Kieran has played football at academy level with Shrewsbury Town FC, playing with players like Joe
FC before moving to start his professional football career with Exeter City Hart (England and Manchester City FC). Kieran has also played semiprofessional football in the UK.
FC, as a midfielder, where he won Young Player of the Year in 1998. During
his time at Exeter City FC he also represented England twice, once as SAM DI MARCO I COACH
Captain. Smith also played in Finland and for Cambridge City FC, before
moving into his youth coaching career, through which he returned to Prior to working with Stoke City FC Academy at WISS, Sam has worked full time at Stoke City FC in
Liverpool FC to work with some of the Elite Academy groups. Peter also the UK, also coaching at development centers trying to find elite players to move on to Stoke City
led the Liverpool FA U8s Elite side to National Champions. FC Academy. Sam’s responsibilities were to develop players, help them to understand more about
football and show them what it is like working with players of different abilities.
Just before coming to Shanghai, Smith worked for 2 years with full time
professional players in the Maltese Premier League (Malta) where he
managed Mosta FC and Floriana FC.



Stoke City FC at WISS is a special community, where hard work, commitment and high
standards are the norm. We have witnessed many fine achievements over a short space

of time. I would like to thank the staff and students for their continued hard work,
endeavor and dedication in raising standards and achievement at the Stoke Academy.

As Head Coach it is a privilege to work in such a positive, vibrant and successful
community. I look forward to more successful years to come.

Peter Smith
Head Coach, Stoke City FC Academy at WISS

THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM

Stoke City FC Academy at WISS gives 6 to 16 year olds the opportunity to learn the Stoke City FC Way through an intensive football
schedule alongside the education.

They will be working with a top coaching team directly from Stoke City FC in the UK and qualified up to UEFA (A) License, which is the
highest coaching qualification available.

The training provided is in line with the Stoke City FC Academy UK, every session encourages players to become skilled, confident and
creative individuals, who can produce these skills within a match. The Academy players involved in the program will be preparing and
competing like young professional footballers at levels appropriate to their ability. Football games will include league, cups and prestigious

friendlies. This will give them the opportunity to showcase their talent against other top teams in China and around the world.

Our Aims and Values

Stoke City FC Academy at WISS has three distinctive aims:

Develop players’ skills for all aspects of their lives
Create an inclusive learning environment to enable players to fulfil their potential
Provide pathways into further education, employment and football

The success of the Academy is underpinned by six important values:

High expectations
Staff dedication and professional commitment
High quality coaching and a disciplined approach to learning
A caring and supportive environment for all learners
Praise for achievement at every level
Target setting to promote a sense of purpose, aspiration, expectation and
achievement

THE AGE GROUPS

Under 8s Group
twice weekly after school, with one scheduled match. The program sets for this age group is mainly ball manipulation

and getting as many touches of the ball as possible

Under 10s Group
train three times a week after school. They will enter the SIYSL football league and play matches over the weekend.

Their program will be divided in 3 parts: 1) Technical, 2) Game Related and 3) Small Sided Games

Under 12s Group
train three times a week after school. They will enter the SIYSL football league and play matches over the weekend.

Their program will be divided in 4 parts: 1) Technical, 2) Game Related, 3) Possession and 4) Small Sided Games

Under 14s Group
train three times a week after school. They will enter the SIYSL football league and play matches over the weekend.

Their program will be divided in 4 parts: 1) Technical, 2) Game Related, 3) Possession and 4) Small Sided Games

Under 16s Group
train three times a week after school. They will enter the SPL football league and play matches over the weekend. This

group will be introduced to more tactical detail and roles and responsibilities to play 11 vs 11

TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE

STOKE CITY FC ACADEMY AT WISS : TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Under 8s Under 10s Under 12s Under 14s Under 16s
- Coach: Peter -
- Coach: Sam - - Coach: Sam - - Coach: Kieran - - Coach: Kieran -
Training:
Monday Training: --- --- Training: 17:00 - 18:30
Tuesday 15:20 - 16:50 15:20 - 16:50
Wednesday Training:
Thursday --- Training: Training: --- 17:00 - 18:30
15:20 - 16:50 15:20 - 16:50
Friday ---
Saturday Training: --- Training: Training:
15:20 - 16:50 15:20 - 16:50 17:00 - 18:20 Training:
17:00 - 18:30
--- Training: --- Training:
15:20 - 16:50 15:20 - 16:50 ---

--- Training: Training: --- League Game
15:00 - 16:20 15:00 - 16:20

Friendly Match League Game League Game League Game

Player Expectations

Players will sign a Stoke City Academy at WISS code of conduct which will outline their expectations in terms of commitment and effort.
Player’s expectations include the requirement that students must be hitting their academic targets in order to maintain their place in the
academy system. Of course the school will be there to offer extra support to players who struggle. Players will always be students first and
footballers second.

Player Reports

Each player will receive a half season report and an end of season report, this
will be given to each player to take home during a meeting with their coach.
The meeting encourages and gives each player the opportunity to discuss and
give any feedback regarding the player’s personal report.

Each report assesses the player’s development in the following areas:
Technical
Tactical
Physical
Psychological
Social

Player’s Code of Conduct

At Stoke City FC Academy at WISS we believe that it is our responsibility to
promote highest standards of behavior in the game.

A Player’s Code of Conduct agreement will be signed upon joining the Academy
and necessary disciplinary action will be taken against any players not abiding
by this Code of Conduct.

THE STOKE KIT

The kits follow the Stoke City FC guidelines.

Parents will be provided with a web link to
purchase the kits online, to include names and
numbers and have the uniforms mailed to them
directly from Stoke UK. A discount code will be
provided to the parents. This kit is the official
match and training kit also used by Stoke City FC
full time professional players in the UK.
Players are required to wear the proper kit for
training, home matches and away matches.
All academy players need to have their own shin
pads and correct footwear. Stoke City FC Coaches
can help to recommend and advise what type of
footwear is best suited.

PAT H WAY

Academy players will not only have the opportunity to improve their football
skills and enjoyment of the game, but we will help players pursue their dream by

providing a number of pathways to further their career in football.

There have already been success stories with students being
invited to the UK to train with Stoke City FC’s professional
players.

Meet the Player

Name: Nicolas Meckien
Age: 15

Position: Goal Keeper

Nicolas has worked very hard whilst being part of the Stoke
City FC Academy at WISS and has consistently demonstrated

quality in training and matches. Nicolas’s effort and
enthusiasm to improve has been rewarded with an invitation
to train with Stoke City FC professional players to showcase his
talent and try to earn a full time contract. This experience will
see Nicolas train each day with elite players and international

stars at a top class premier league training facility.

NATIONAL &
INTERNATIONAL
TOURNAMENTS

During the season, each age group will have the
opportunity to take part in tournaments in Asia and
around the world. These trips away from our regular
environment will help develop players in different
areas and it will be a fantastic experience.

Great for team bonding
Compete in prestigious tournaments
Compete against Elite Clubs from around the
world

For our older players, these experiences can develop
areas off the field which could help prepare them in
their professional football career.

Dealing with foreign referees
Preparing independently for matches
Experiencing different cuisines and cultures
Playing against foreign tactics and strategies

DIET & NUTRITION EDUCATION
FOR FOOTBALLERS

The journey to becoming a professional footballer Diet plays a major part in
does not happen overnight. It will start very young, any athletes preparation and training.
have a few bumps along the way and will need a huge
amount of commitment and dedication to get there. It cannot be ignored if you want to
reach your full potential.
Some players, like Stoke City FC’s Bojan Krkic or
Xherdan Shaqiri, have a very natural talent that gives --- Jack Butland,
them a huge headstart over their contemporaries. Stoke and England
Others need to work much harder in order to eke out
every last drop of their ability and overtake all those
who are chasing the same dream.

During the season we make our Academy players
aware that having the proper diet can play a big part
in getting an aspiring footballer to the top. Good
nutrition is very important in teenage years, the body
needs energy and nutrients from food to grow and
develop properly and a poor diet could put that
growth at risk.

This information will be delivered via:
Information Booklets
Classroom Based Lessons
One to One meetings

PARENT’S LIAISONS

Each season parents are invited to volunteer
to be a Parent Liaison.
At least two parents from each age group
volunteer and help out in the following
areas:

Share team information with the rest of
the parents
Help arrange activities for the Stoke City
FC at WISS Community
Coordination between parents and Stoke
City FC office
The Parent’s Liaisons have been of great help
to the Stoke program in the past and they
play a very important role in the running of
the program.

PARENTS’ FEEDBACK

“Excellent coaching team with great passion and dedication for coaching and developing young players. Beside the developing technical
and tactical skills my son has improved in taking responsibility and learnt about what’s required for a professional career”
Mette – Jonathan Efland, U12s

“We feel so blessed our son is able to receive world class football training right at the school from the Stoke City FC coaches.
Coaches are professional and passionate about developing our boys and we have seen our son develop tremendously both individually and
in team setting. Every day our son looks so much forward to the training and his dream is to become a professional football player one day”

Alexandra & Berndt – Zach Kohring, U14s

“The Stoke City Program teaches kids to become better football players in a caring and supportive environment. However, it does much
more than that. It teaches children about perseverance, hard work, discipline, responsibility, and collaboration.
The coaches are very knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic.
I am happy that my son was able to take part in such a positive experience”
Nora – Thomas Lamy, U12s

“The Stoke City coaches keep surprising us with their refreshing approach towards football. It is beautiful to see how the coaches guide the
children in a strict and playful way, and allow them to demonstrate responsibility and commitment. Being part of the Stoke City football

team is a great opportunity for every child to learn to function in a team, and show respect to their team mates and coaches. The coaches’
passion for sports allows every player to grow as an athlete and as a person”
Ruth & Joris - Jools Van Rooy, U10s

STOKE CITY FC ACADEMY AT WISS
2016-2017 CALENDAR

OCTOBER I 2016 NOVEMBER I 2016 DECEMBER I 2016 JANUARY I 2017

SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S
1 12345 123 1234567
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
2345678 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 29 30 31
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
30 31
Nov 10 – Nov 11 : SCFC Soccer Dec 11: Stoke City FC Community Jan 9: Academy Training Resumes
Oct 3 – Oct 7: No Training due to Camp (exact details still to be Christmas Party for all Groups
National Day Vacation confirmed) Dec 10: Last League Game before Jan/Feb: CNY SCFC Soccer Camp
Oct 15: Start of the SIYSL for U10s, Dec 5 – Dec 9: Half Yearly Player’s Winter Break for the SPL U16s (exact details still to be confirmed)
U12s and U14s Reports Dec 11: Stoke City FC Christmas Jan 27 – Feb 12 : Chinese New Year
Oct 22: Start of the SPL for U16s Dec 10: Last League Game before Party Vacation (no training)
Winter Break for the SIYSL : U10s, Dec 12 – Jan 6: Christmas Break
U12s and U14s

* This calendar is subject to changes.

FEBRUARY I 2017 MARCH I 2017 APRIL I 2017 MAY I 2017

SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S
1234 1234 1 123456

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2345678 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
26 27 28 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31
30
Feb 13: Academy Training Resumes May 1 – May 2: Labour Day
for all Groups Apr 3 – Apr 7: Spring Break - Vacation - SCFC Soccer Camp
Feb 18: SIYSL Resumes for U10s, Proposed trip to Stoke City FC UK (exact details still to be confirmed)
U12s and U14s for the U14s & U16s May 30: Dragon Boat Festival -
Feb 18: SPL Resumes for U16s Apr 15: SSSA Tournament SCFC one day Soccer Camp (exact
(exact date still to be confirmed) details still to be confirmed)
Feb 25: SSSA Tournament

JUNE I 2017 Jun 2 – 4: U13s Bangkok JULY I 2017 Jul 3 – Jul 6 : End of Season
Tournament (exact details to 4 Day Stoke City FC Soccer Camp
SMTWT F S follow) SMTWT F S
123 1
Jun 12 – Jun 16: End of Year Player’s
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Reports 2345678
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Jun 23: End Stoke City Academy 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29 30 Season 2016-2017 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

* This calendar is subject to changes.

CONTACT INFORMATION

PETER SMITH I Head Coach ANGELA SMITH I Stoke City International Ambassador GREG BRUNTON I School Director
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]



No. 555 Lian Min Road, Xu Jing Town, 上海青浦区徐泾镇联民路555号
Qing Pu District, Shanghai, PRC 201702 邮编 201702
电话 (86 21) 6976 6388
T (86 21) 6976 6388 传真 (86 21) 6976 6833
F (86 21) 6976 6833

www.wiss.cn

2016.11



CONTACT INFORMATION

PETER SMITH I Head Coach ANGELA SMITH I Stoke City International Ambassador DR. GREG BRUNTON I School Director
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]



No. 555 Lian Min Road, Xu Jing Town, 上海青浦区徐泾镇联民路555号
Qing Pu District, Shanghai, PRC 201702 邮编 201702
电话 (86 21) 6976 6388
T (86 21) 6976 6388 传真 (86 21) 6976 6833
F (86 21) 6976 6833

www.wiss.cn

2017.09