The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was launched in May 2011 with the aim to get clubs in England producing more ‘home-grown’ talent with a vision of making player better both technically and tactically as well as improving decision making in order for players to become more of a success at first team level. But it has come with its challenges along the way.
Whilst the EPPP has benefitted most clubs, it’s the clubs lower down the pyramid that are ultimately suffering due to the category grading system that the EPPP has.
The category grading system is done on a series of things that a club can offer a player such as support and facilities based on the club’s resources. So typically, the bigger clubs are in Category 1, and smaller clubs are in lesser Categories such as 3 & 4. However, the old Academy system allowed smaller clubs to play bigger clubs as part of their game’s programme, but due to the EPPP, that no longer is the case as a club’s game’s programme is now against clubs at the same or at a similar category to each other.
The effect that this has had on some clubs has been quite drastic because the smaller clubs aren’t able to offer players a more competitive game’s programme, so often, young players go elsewhere where they’re able to be in an environment where they can get more competitive games and test themselves against better players.
One thing is clear is that the EPPP’s mantra of having the best players at the best clubs with the best coaches has some substance to it, however something may need to change in order for clubs lower down the Football pyramid so they can keep hold of their better players have not have to sell them or let them go.
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