The FA Women's Super League Academy
The FA Women’s Super League Academies offer 16-20-year-olds a programme which equally balances their football development and their academic, vocational or work-based aspirations. They aim to develop every aspect of a player and ensure their educational/career needs are met - whether they subsequently have a professional football career or not.
Player development and personal development go hand-in-hand at every FA WSL Academy.
2
Wheels
15
Clubs
200
Users
What were you looking for? What challenges did you hope to overcome?
Tony: I had prior experience of the Wheel during my time with England Rugby League and was always impressed by the simplicity of the tool and how powerful it can be. Indeed, my dissertation at university was about profiling using concentric circles – though they were photocopied, certainly not web-based!
Why did you choose The Development Wheel?
Tony: We needed a visually engaging way to provide feedback to learners regarding their progress and next steps. A tick list was very dry and didn’t inspire what needed to be accomplished. A profile derived from the Wheel brings the player and all their coaches and multi-disciplinary staff to the same page – and of course their DiSE tutor.
Sam: Previously, we had challenges with learners not being engaged on their DiSE programme and wider holistic development, due to our assessment and feedback mechanisms. The Development Wheel has allowed us to put the learner and their development at the heart of everything we do. Consequently, we have seen a significant shift in learner engagement and enthusiasm on the programme.
What impact has using The Development Wheel had at your organisation?
Tony: Players can see and share their progress really easily using the Wheel. It also shifts the course from “doing workbooks” to gathering evidence of practice and that is what the DiSE course is designed to be. So, as an example, rather than writing in a workbook about training cycles, learners can now upload the schedule they are doing in the Academy and they’ve provided the evidence. It is far more streamlined.
Sam: The Development Wheel has allowed all members of the team around the player to better collaborate to support the individual. The Wheel has allowed staff to focus solely on the individual’s development, rather than spending time on basic administrative tasks, and allowed us to better reflect on what we do and why we do it. The Development Wheel has allowed us to challenge our ‘norms’ and presented us with a range of ideas, which previously weren’t an option.
Would you recommend The Development Wheel to others?
Absolutely! It is a fantastic product, delivered by an excellent team that go above and beyond to support the organisations and their learners.
The Wheel has modernised, streamlined, and made the DiSE provision in Women’s Football far more efficient. This means players spend more time training and recovering – which helps them win!
Tony Fretwell, The FA Women’s Super League Academy Manager
The Development Wheel has allowed us to transform our WSL Academy DiSE programme, moving us to be a better integrated and valued member of the support system around the learner. The technology has allowed us to be forward-facing and innovative in our approach and create a programme that is genuinely learner-focused.
Sam James, The FA Women’s Super League Academy DiSE Programme Coordinator
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