Kwame Poku is currently one of the hottest properties in the Football League. In his first season at Colchester United, the eighteen-year-old has already signed an improved contract, put in a string of outstanding performances, played in Cup games against Spurs and Manchester United and come to the notice of numerous higher-level clubs. Although he […]
Continue readingPlay The Volenti Way.
Volenti Academy is a purpose-driven football coaching academy that uses the skills and experiences of people who have played or coached the game at a professional level.
We create a high-performance training environment, which helps to improve players’ all-round development and give them the best chance to reach their full potential. We have a strong methodology for producing talented players and teams, however, our success is not only measured by players getting signed by a professional club or winning trophies; it is also about helping to develop good people. Search our programmes and come and play football with a purpose the Volenti way!
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Our Programmes
The Volenti Academy team is able to support you across all aspects of your football training and development. Click below for our live programmes across our age groups.
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Testimonials
Kwame Poku, one of our own………
Creating a pathway…
Alex Pugh joined Volenti Academy as a fifteen year old, having previously been coached by Academy Director Bobby Bowry at his grassroots club. He went onto join our under 19 Football & Education programme, graduating in the Summer of last year and is currently nearing the end of his second year on a football scholarship […]
Continue readingNFYL Southern Premier Champions 2019-20
Academy Director Bobby Bowry looks back on the season with the A team It was clear from the start just how focused the group was and their unity was there for us all to see during the early training sessions and the pre-season games. This set the tone for what was to come. In our […]
Continue readingNFYL – Reserve League Champions 2019-20
Another very successful season for our B Team who won the NFYL Reserve league on the basis of a points per game average. The campaign started with 2 home wins before consecutive defeats against Reading and Portsmouth IOW. Following this inconsistent start, we then hit some great form which saw us pick up 31 points […]
Continue readingFrom a player to a respected coach…..
Seth Dakin joined Volenti Academy in its first year as a Football & Education programme, enjoying a successful two year scholarship. The team in which he played won the League in his first season and, in the second, finished runners up in both the League and the Cup competition. His academic progress was just as impressive; […]
Continue readingCOVID-19 Response
In light of the Government’s latest guidance concerning social contact and gatherings, the FA have advised that all grassroots football should be postponed for the foreseeable future. We are therefore suspending all of our Volenti Academy sessions with immediate effect. Our priority is the wellbeing of our players, our coaches and their families. Whilst we’re […]
Continue readingYear 11 Trial Match
Volenti Academy is inviting year 11 boys who have a real passion for football to participate in a trial game for next year’s football and education squads. The games will be hosted at Coldharbour Leisure Centre on Monday 6th April. The games will be led by ex-professional players, Bobby Bowry and Charlie MacDonald, who have […]
Continue readingVolenti Academy – Brighton
Volenti has launched a new Academy weekly evening session in Brighton for boys aged between 7-11 years old. The new session is held on Wednesday evening from 6-7pm at the 3G astroturf pitch at the Manor in Brighton. Headed up by the hugely experienced and respected Youth Coaches, Nathan Bowen and Alex Walsh, the new […]
Continue readingVolenti Academy – Croydon
Our Croydon Pre-Academy and Academy sessions have developed into being the go-to venue for players outside the Academy system. Over the past 12 months, the different age groups have played a number of showcase games against professional academies. We have won various tournaments and players have progressed in a variety of ways including signing for professional […]
Continue readingLondon Nautical Academy
With Pre-Season well underway for the new London Nautical Football Academy. Our Technical Director, Bobby Bowry, is inviting any boys who are still undecided about their football and education for next season to come along to one of our Pre-Season sessions to experience first hand what the Academy has to offer. “For us, this isn’t […]
Continue readingOur Team
Bobby Bowry
Bobby Bowry
Technical DirectorBobby’s playing career lasted over 15 years and the majority of his 400 appearances were for Crystal Palace, Millwall and Colchester. He holds a UEFA B coaching qualification. Enormously well respected and with contacts throughout the game, Bobby is ideally positioned to provide advice and support on a wide range of on and off field issues and revels in his role as a player mentor. Bobby is actively involved in the Kick It Out campaign.
Dean Austin
Dean Austin
Head CoachDean is a former Premier League player with Tottenham and Crystal Palace with over 350 professional appearances. Dean holds the highest possible coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence. As recently as 2019, Dean coached in the Premier League alongside Quique Sanchez Flores at Watford. Dean is the Head coach of our St Albans sessions which run on a Monday night at Harvesters Football Club.
Charlie MacDonald
Charlie MacDonald
Academy ManagerHaving played for nineteen different clubs including Charlton Athletic, Brentford and MK Dons and scoring in excess of two hundred career goals, Charlie is highly regarded amongst players at both professional and semi-professional level. Charlie’s knowledge and experiences are vital in helping to develop and nurture our young, aspiring players.
Nathan Bowen
Nathan Bowen
Regional DirectorNathan is an FA Level 3 qualified coach who has extensive experience working with players of all levels across a wide range of age groups. He spent twelve years at Brighton & Hove Albion, coaching players across the entire spectrum from Community to Academy level. He has had great success managing teams and co-ordinating touring groups at International tournaments, bringing home over ten winners trophies. Nathan was selected by the streetworldfootball to attend its Global Youth Leaders Initiative during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His knowledge, enthusiasm and involvement with the players he coaches make Nathan an invaluable member of the Volenti team. After a successful first year with Volenti, Nathan was promoted into the position of Regional Director, taking on operational responsibility for the South East area.
Seth Dakin
Seth Dakin
Academy CoachSeth graduated from our under 19 programme with a triple distinction and, although he had a number of university offers, chose to stay with us as an apprentice. After an outstanding first year working with players of differing ages and abilities on a variety of projects, Seth joined us on a full-time basis and is now helping to produce the next generation of Volenti Academy players
Simon Osborn
Simon Osborn
Academy CoachSimon is a former Crystal Palace, Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers player with over 400 professional appearances. He is one of the senior coaches working alongside Bobby at Harris Academy on a Monday night and has coached some of our older teams in our London Youth Premier League.
Darren Teague
Darren Teague
Strength and Conditioning CoachA specialist strength and conditioning coach, Darren has worked with a full spectrum of players from aspiring academy scholars to full internationals. Darren offers our players a personalised service to support any area of physical development and conditioning.
Aidan Brennan
Aidan Brennan
Academy CoachBio to follow.
Paul Smallwood
Paul Smallwood
Academy CoachPaul is one of our most experienced coaches and has a great ability to develop and deliver original and creative coaching drills. Paul has coached at numerous professional clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion and Wimbledon, as well as the Ian Wright soccer schools. He also has years of experience of coaching internationally in countries such as France, Denmark and the USA.
Barry Moore
Barry Moore
Academy CoachBio to follow.
Harry Wheeler
Harry Wheeler
Academy CoachBio to follow.
Steve Conroy
Steve Conroy
Academy CoachBio to follow.
Jordan St Pierre
Jordan St Pierre
Academy CoachJordan is a reliable and enthusiastic FA level 2 qualified coach who has 7 years of experience of coaching on development and community programmes at Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as coaching a men’s squad for Sussex University. Aside from football, Jordan also enjoys helping other young people achieve their goals and has helped to train young leaders locally in the National Citizens Service scheme, as well as volunteering with the Football For Good International NGO OSCAR Foundation.
Harry Docharty
Harry Docharty
Academy CoachHarry is a talented young FA level 1 qualified coach with lots of enthusiasm and creativity. He has a natural ability to engage with young players and uses his own experiences as a player to help create a positive environment. Currently studying for a Sports qualification, Harry is also pursuing his own career as a football player. Showing plenty of promise, Harry worked his way into Peacehaven 1st team at the age of 17, as well as being a stand out player in the National Youth Development U19s league.