Weekly Term Programmes
Develop over the long term
Our weekly programmes will help young players progress year on year. Our programmes connect across ages and stages, from first experiences through to higher intensity training. Most new players will join us at Football School level and our coaches will meet and evaluate each players capability level.
Not every player will want the same route, and not every route is about moving up a tier. What matters is that each stage is built to help players improve their technique, game understanding and decision making, with clear challenges and clear learning outcomes.
Ages 3-5
First Kicks
First Kicks develops physical literacy, coordination and fundamental movement skills that help players learn the basics of football and develop a life-long love of the game.
Ages 6-16
Football school
The Football School Programme is for 6–16 year olds, boys and girls, to train and develop at the City Football Academy while experiencing the Manchester City training and playing philosophy. Running throughout the year, and following the school calendar, it has 2 training sessions a week.
Ages 8 to 16
New: Development squads
Train each week with Man City coaches then play regular competitive fixtures at weekends. The squads will be based in Sale, Oldham and Bolton and play in local leagues.
Train each week with Man City coaches then play regular competitive fixtures at weekends. The squads will be based in Sale, Oldham and Bolton and play in local leagues.
Ages 8 to 16
Ages 9-14
Goalkeeper programme
Boys and girls train at the City Football Academy. Developing with specialist goalkeeping coaches, improve technique and game understanding through our philosophy of ‘Beautiful Football.’
Full Year 2025/26 Schedule
Each course has 1 weekly session, all aligned to the school calendar year. Sessions will take place on Saturday mornings.
Course 1: Autumn - 12 weeks (20th September to 13th December 2025) - Course Complete
Course 2: Winter - 12 weeks (10th January to 4th April 2026) - Course Complete
Course 3: Spring - 11 weeks (25th April to 4th July 2026) - Ongoing
Summer Programme - 6 weeks (13th July to 22nd August 2026) - Courses Available NOW
Programme highlights
Year round programme split in 4 courses: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer.
All sessions delivered by established Manchester City Coaches, following the same philosophy used to develop City’s own players, delivered in a fun, positive and safe learning environment.
Players experience a range of training and fixtures at the City Football Academy and will also have the opportunity to experience our other City Football Group clubs in a range of trips and tours.
Programme content
Courses have been designed to support the development of all players and will focus on:
Learning the fundamentals of attacking play and defending.
Developing confidence and creativity in 1v1 situations.
Through a series of mini-games (3v3s, 4v4s…) improving understanding of the roles of players and the principles of formations and positions, preparing for 11v11 in future years.
Have fun, learning how to make good decisions in realistic game situations, and what it means to work as a team and support each other.