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 […]
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A passion for football
Play the Volenti way.
We are an independent football academy committed to provide high quality coaching to those of all ages and ability levels.
Under the leadership of a staff team of ex-professional players and football development experts, we aim to create an environment which is safe, fun and in which each individual is given the opportunity to become the best that they can be. We are firm believers in the physical and social benefits which result from an active involvement in sport at every level. Search the programmes that we’re involved in and come and play the Volenti way!
Raise Your Game
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
COVID-19 Response
Year 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 readingNottingham Forest Showcase Tournament
In the first outing for the new London Nautical Football Academy (LNFA) 14 boys were selected to travel to Nottingham to play against Nottingham Forest Academy and AFC Sunderland in a round robin tournament. The team produced impressive performances in both games, with both games going to a penalty shootout. Head Coach Bobby Bowry commented […]
Continue readingChristmas Win
Our newly formed U7 pre-Academy squad put in a brilliant display of football today to win EMC Academy’s Christmas tournament. This was the first time they have entered a tournament as a collective group. They played some exquisite free-flowing football that particularly pleased Volenti’s technical director Bobby Bowry. “Today was one of my most enjoyable […]
Continue readingHarry Winks – Visits our St Albans Academy
Last night, our St Albans Head coach, Dean Austin, organised a very special Christmas surprise for the players attending our weekly Monday night session. Players arrived for their normal training session on a cold December evening and were amazed to see Tottenham and England superstar, Harry Winks, watching them play. Dean, who is currently assistant […]
Continue reading‘Bring a Friend’
This evening (Monday 20th November) the Volenti Academy launched our brand new ‘Bring a Friend’ initiative at our Croydon Academy. The concept is very simple: for every friend a Volenti player recommends to come to a Volenti session, they will both receive one free session. Nathan Bowen, our Regional Director, explains ‘We know that we […]
Continue readingNottingham Forest Showcase Game
Volenti Academy’s growing reputation was once again demonstrated on Tuesday afternoon when former European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest, invited our Football and Education team to their training ground to play against their Academy. After a strong start to this season’s National Football Youth League (NYFL), the opportunity for the Volenti boys to match themselves against […]
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 2016, Dean coached in the Premier League alongside Quique Sanchez Flores at Watford. Dean is Head coach of our new St Albans sessions which run on a Monday night at Harvesters Football Club.
Charlie MacDonald
Charlie MacDonald
Academy Manager
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 Coach
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 Coach
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.