ICFDS National Squads offer our Brazilian Soccer Schools South Cheshire players an alternative route into professional football.  Based upon our experiences of 'Elite Player Development' in Brazil and that of top Dutch, French and Italian Clubs, where football skill and technique are at the forefront of their training.

Under 14's/15s and 16s players from Brazilian Soccer Schools South Cheshire, who meet the following 'Minimum Expectations' will be forwarded into the ICFDS National Squad Programme on the recommendation of Brazilian Soccer School South Cheshire Head Coach.  Those selected can look forward to a world class player development programme. 

How can I make in into the ICFDS National Squad?

Current Minimum Expectations - U15's

1. Attends more than 2 BSS South Cheshire coaching sessions per week.
2. Trains with BSS South Cheshire for 4 or more hours per week.
3. Has over 1 years continuous BSS training experience.
4. Regularly attends BSS South Cheshire.
5. Always wears Full BSS kit.
6. Will usually prioritise BSS training over other training.
7. Positive attitude to practice and development outside of BSS sessions.
8. ICFDS Skills Badge Core Skills Assessments approaching Level 4* or above.
9. Skills Badge Juggling Skills Assessments approaching Level 4* or above.
10. Multi-stage Fitness Score (bleep test) - Level 14* or above.
11. 30m Speed Test time = 4.20s* or below.
12. 30m Acceleration Test time = 4.80s* or below.

* the better a players scores are, the more chance of success at National Squad trials.

What can selected players from BSS South Cheshire look forward to? 

• Quarterly training camps, including a 'Summer Training Week' at the annual ICFDS Coaching Course in Leeds. In the past this has included the opportunity to work with the likes of Carlos Alberto Torres and Careca.  
• Tournaments both in the UK and abroad against top European Pro Clubs  
• Competitive development programme
• Direct contact and communication links with a designated member of the ICFDS National Squad coaching team
  
• Sports science support
• Individual player guidance and lifestyle management and regional support programmes
• Structured group development
• ICFDS National Squad Player Passport – a concept designed specifically for the players to systematically record and monitor their progress each year.

We believe our National Squad technical and tactical training will develop performance to the highest level, allowing our players to become the best and most prepared. Ultimately taking each player to the highest level of their individual abilities. The development plan includes a number of support structures that provide strong guidance in the all-round development of our players:
 

Leeds Metropolitan University

LMU support the National Squad programme, they host ICFDS National Squad training camps and provide academic and sports science support, including:

• Nutritional support
• Pre-exercise preparation.
• Post exercise recovery.
• Physiological analysis.
• Career and lifestyle management
• Educational guidance

Garforth Town AFC

Garforth Town AFC is a club based on the outskirts of Leeds and is home of the ICFDS National training headquarters.  Simon Clifford had the idea of becoming involved with a football club and using it as a means to demonstrate the value and superiority of the Brazilian Soccer School approach to coaching.  The club sits at the top of the ICFDS pyramid of progression and will be an option for Brazilian Soccer School players if they are not signed by a top-tier club.

The club is now full-time, Brazilian Soccer School graduates from Leeds are there everyday training (20 hours each week), whilst also studying academically.  In the next few years this scheme will be developed into a national and international youth scheme for players aged 16 to 21 years.

PFD Sports

Our partnership with PFD Sports offers the very best guidance and representation to our young players who go on to enter the professional game.

PFD Sports act as a resource and offer exclusive advice to Brazilian Soccer School players; indeed they will be helping us with placing young players with professional clubs.

Although Brazilian Soccer School players are under no pressure to sign with PFD Sports, due to the bond of trust built between PFD Sports, players and the ICFDS a number of players (see case studies below) have all ready signed with the organisation.

As part of their specially designed talent management programme for Brazilian Soccer School players PFD Sports guide and manage these players and advice them properly on all the areas that a successful modern sports person has to deal with.  PFD is part of the wider organisation, CSS Stellar, whose work includes managing the marketing rights for Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos.

Above all else, the aim of our work with PFD Sports is to create the right environment for our players to perform to the best of their abilities and receive the full rewards of their sporting success.