Juventus Academy Grows With Coaching Course

Fabrizio Puglisi recently shared insights with OneArabia.me about the remarkable journey and expansion of the Academy he co-founded with Mohammed Lajam, Chairman of FFG Sports Management. This collaboration, sparked by a mutual passion for Juventus and a serendipitous tweet, has grown from humble beginnings into a leading sports institution in Dubai and beyond.

From its inception in 2015, the Academy has evolved significantly. Initially starting with just 7 registrants, 1 football field, 3 coaches, and 30 balls, today it boasts over 40 professionals managing 7 facilities, catering to 1,000 players from 50 different nationalities each season. This growth is not just in numbers but also in recognition, having hosted Juventus legends like Chiellini and Trezeguet, and securing several sports awards as the best academy in the UAE and Middle East.

The strategic distribution of the Academy's facilities across geographical locations aims to ease access for families, reducing travel time and facilitating participation. Complying with Juventus and FIFA standards, the facilities offer a variety of pitches, from 5-a-side to 11-a-side, in both natural and astroturf, ensuring high playing quality and comfort for players.

Fabrizio said that under the management of FFG Sports Management, the Academy has not only become the largest football academy in Dubai but also the foremost Italian Academy for any sport across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia. This achievement is attributed to the dedicated team at the Academy and the trust and support from Juventus HQ.

Vision behind the inception

Speaking about the vision and launch of the Academy, Puglisi reiterated that the Juventus Academy's establishment in the UAE was driven by a clear and ambitious vision. He maintained that the primary aim was to create a leading professional sports reference point in the Middle East. Since its inception in 2015, the academy has been dedicated to having a positive influence on the development of athletes, particularly focusing on the younger generation.

The objectives of the Juventus Academy in the UAE are twofold. First, to make a meaningful impact on young people by fostering their growth and love for football. Second, to expand progressively by sharing their enthusiasm for the sport and the renowned brand they have been representing since 2015.

Invigorating personal growth

Juventus doesn’t only stress on the physical well-being of students. According to Puglisi, football is not just a game; it's a vital tool for personal development among the youth, emphasizing not just physical fitness but also crucial life skills. This approach highlights the club's commitment to nurturing not only skilled athletes but well-rounded individuals.

The significance of football in fostering mental well-being cannot be overstated. It teaches youngsters essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and time management — skills indispensable in daily life. In the context of youth development, the role of clubs and coaches becomes paramount. A supportive coach-player relationship is key, as coaches have the unique opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of young athletes.

In alignment with the Dubai Sports Council's objectives, Juventus Academy has taken a significant step by hosting the first coaching course outside Europe in Dubai. This initiative was further enriched by the presence of Juventus and Nazionale Legends, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli. Their participation underscores the values of sportsmanship and integrity that Juventus Academy aims to instill in its students both on and off the field.

Focus on the right method

The Juventus Academy is renowned for its distinctive training approach “'Juventus way'”, which goes beyond mere physical and technical prowess, focusing on a comprehensive development model for upcoming footballers. This method, deeply rooted in the club's philosophy, integrates technical, mental, emotional, and social aspects into its curriculum, added Puglisi.

Mentorship programs

FFG Sports Management has played a pivotal role in connecting young football enthusiasts with their idols through a series of unique events and educational trips. Puglisi pointed out that the Academy has facilitated memorable encounters with football legends and current stars, including official visits from Juventus legends like Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco, and Edgard Davids. Additionally, FFG Sports Management has organized attendance at significant matches such as the Italian Super Cups held in Doha, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

He mentioned fondly that at the heart of these experiences are the opportunities for budding footballers to meet contemporary icons such as Bonucci, Ronaldo, Pjanic, and Matuidi during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. The Academy's contribution extends to creating welcome videos for Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Bonucci in collaboration with other Juventus Academies worldwide, enhancing the international football community's camaraderie.

Every year, FFG Sports Management arranges trips to Turin, Italy, offering children aged 6-16 the chance to immerse themselves in the world of Juventus, Puglisi revealed. “These trips include training sessions led by Juventus coaches, tours of the Juventus Museum and Stadium, as well as the city's landmarks. Students meet first-team players and observe their training sessions, providing an unparalleled learning experience.”

Beyond these group trips, the CEO stated that Juventus offers a specialized Training Experience Elite program. This initiative selects young players from around the world based on their skills to partake in a Juventus Masterclass in Italy. The program aims to refine their football abilities in a highly competitive and inspiring environment, showcasing Juventus's commitment to nurturing future talent.

Awards and accolades

With a robust reputation in developing, organizing, and managing highly successful and memorable events, our professional team stands at the forefront of sports achievements in the UAE. Puglisi revels in the fact the accolades received by the projects managed by FFG, including being named the Best Football Academy in the UAE in 2018 and 2019 and the Best Academy in the Middle East in 2019, underscore the institute’s commitment to excellence in sports training and organization.

Puglisi added that the introduction of the Elite project marks a significant milestone in our quest to elevate the standards of football in Dubai. This initiative enables its players to compete in official competitions, representing a second level of football within our academy. Moreover, the Selected program distinguishes itself by gathering the finest players across the UAE. These athletes receive specialized training and the honor of participating in prestigious events such as the Juventus Academy World Cup and other tournaments within the UAE and GCC countries.

“Our achievements on the global stage, particularly our U12 Team's victory at the Allianz Stadium, highlight Dubai's capacity to produce top-tier athletes and champions. This triumph at the Juventus Academy World Cup, a tournament featuring 73 academies worldwide, marked the first time a team from Asia and the Middle East clinched the title. Such accomplishments not only bring pride to our academy but also affirm Dubai's status as a burgeoning hub for football excellence.”

Training and excellence

As the first Juventus Academy in the Middle East to offer specialized coaching courses and the second globally outside Italy, this institution stands at the forefront of football coaching excellence. According to Puglisi, this initiative provides an unparalleled opportunity for coaches aiming to refine their skills and adopt the 'Juventus way' of training. Ensuring the high standards are met, the Juventus Area Manager visits the academy for 30 days each sports season. Furthermore, an online program designed by Juventus is available for coaches, underlining the commitment to top-tier education and development in the field of sports coaching.

Beyond technical training, the academy emphasizes the importance of comprehensive professional development. A variety of courses covering customer service, safety, security, and even specialised training for the professional team, including administrators, accountants, and operations staff, are offered. This holistic approach to development ensures that every aspect of the academy runs smoothly and effectively, contributing significantly to its growth and success.

Upcoming programs

On launching new programs, Puglisi stated that in a significant development for football coaching in the UAE, the Juventus Academy has announced the launch of a special three-day course in Dubai, set to take place from May 31 to June 2. This initiative, in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, was unveiled during Giorgio Chiellini's visit to the Academy, marking a notable moment for the institution. The course aims to equip coaches with comprehensive insights into the Juventus Academy methodology, emphasizing the club's commitment to nurturing talent and sharing its vast knowledge garnered from being the most extensive Academy network of any professional football club globally.

The workshop, which is the first-of-its-kind for coaches outside Europe, will cover a broad spectrum of subjects including technical skills, performance metrics, and sports psychology. The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical experience, offering participants the chance to observe on-field sessions. These sessions will be conducted with the assistance of both the Juventus Academy Dubai staff and its players, ensuring an immersive learning environment.

Set against the backdrop of Al-Nasr Sports Club, Dubai's oldest and most esteemed football club, the workshop promises to be a comprehensive educational experience. Participants will engage in rigorous training and learning, leading to the completion of a final questionnaire. Successful completion of the course will see attendees awarded a certificate of participation directly from Juventus Football Club, signifying their achievement and the acquisition of valuable new skills.