Academy Director Dan Robinson looks back on a successful season for the Peterborough United Academy.
"It has been another hugely successful season for the Academy, and once again, we have delivered on our mission: to develop players for our first team. We're proud to say that this season, Academy graduates James Dornelly, Donay O’Brien-Brady, and Harley Mills have all stepped up to the first team. Not only have they broken into the squad, but they've also played key roles in some of our biggest successes this year.
Two particular highlights were seeing our players contribute so impressively to the brilliant Vertu Trophy Final win at Wembley last month, and seeing James Dornelly (who started his Posh Academy journey at eight-years old) capped by England Under 20s. making his international debut in an impressive victory over Germany (pictured below). Moments that truly showcase the strength of our pathway.
In addition to those first-team breakthroughs, several Academy players made their EFL debuts, while others have continued to impress during loan spells at clubs across the leagues. These achievements at the highest levels of our Academy structure are only possible because of the outstanding work happening across every age group, from our Under 9s through to our Under 21s.
There have also been some brilliant team achievements this season. Our Under 18s were crowned the Professional Development League Cup winners after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over a strong Sheffield United side earlier this month – a fantastic reward for the dedication and determination of our players, staff, and parents. Across the younger age groups, we’ve seen more success, with our Under 11s, Under 12s, Under 13s, and Under 14s all recording impressive tournament and cup wins. Huge congratulations to all of our boys for their outstanding work on the pitch!
Our incredible staff have once again gone above and beyond to help our players develop beyond their years. Their commitment to creating opportunities and supporting our boys on their journey to becoming professional footballers continues to be inspiring.
Off the pitch, it's been an equally impressive year. Players and staff alike have reached important personal milestones, from coaching and medical qualifications to school achievements. We've received regular updates celebrating our boys' high standards in the classroom and on the school sports field – achievements that make us incredibly proud.
Alongside our on-pitch successes, we’ve also provided our players with some fantastic travel experiences throughout the season. Pre-season began with our Under 18s and Under 21s heading up the A1 to RAF Wittering for an intense three-day, military-led training camp (pictured below). Our Under 14–Under 16 squads travelled to Malahide, Ireland, combining team-building activities with competitive matches against Irish opposition. Meanwhile, our Under 9–Under 13 groups made the journey north to Scotland, where they faced a range of opponents and had the chance to explore the sights and culture of another country.
Other notable achievements this season include the continued success of our Full-Time Training Model in partnership with Nene Park Academy. The programme has gone from strength to strength, with students not only excelling in the classroom but also stepping up on the pitch. Remarkably, some players as young as Year 9 have featured for our Under 18s, a clear testament to the dedication and collaboration between school and club staff in supporting their development.
We’ve also enjoyed some proud moments in the national media. Our Academy was featured in the Sky Sports documentary Chasing the Dream, which offered an insightful look into the highs and lows of life in a professional football academy. Additionally, we were honoured to welcome the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, on a Royal visit to the club (pictured below). He met with Club and Foundation staff, as well as myself and several of our Under 14 players who are currently working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This visit highlighted our strong relationship with the Club’s Foundation and our shared commitment to developing well-rounded individuals, not just footballers.
Finally, a massive well done and thank you to everyone involved in our brilliant Academy. We are regularly approached by external organisations wanting to visit and learn from how we operate – a true testament to the outstanding work of everyone at the club and the reputation we’ve built as a ‘best in class’ Academy.
We look forward to building on this success next season and continuing to provide a supportive, positive, and high-performing environment, both on and off the pitch, for all of our players and staff."