Villarreal Academy collaborates with Alchemy Int'l Football Academy

CHENNAI: Through the Villarreal Academy international expansion project, Villarreal CF have reached a collaboration agreement with Alchemy International Football Academy based in Bengaluru, India. Thus, Alchemy International Football Academy is now an official affiliate academy of Villarreal CF.

Alchemy International Football Academy will work hand in hand with Villarreal CF to implement the Yellows’ innovative methodology for the development of its players and coaches. Selected players from Alchemy International Football Academy will have the chance to visit Villarreal CF in Spain to take part in the Player Training Week and Team Playing Experience programmes in which they train with or play against Villarreal’s youth teams.

The Bengaluru-based football academy was founded in 2013 and provides different programmes for players from 12 to 21 years of age. Ahead of the collaboration announcement, Alchemy International Football Academy director Sunanda Das said, “We are regarded as the pioneer of professional training in grassroots football in India. We have tiered training programs: the Grassroots Training Program with multiple centres across Bengaluru, the Excellence Training Program for ages 12 to 21 and the Residential Training Program for elite footballers from 12 to 18 years of age. Our technical team is comprised of experienced and licensed coaches headed by our technical director, Derryl Dsouza. Coach development is one of the important cornerstones of our academy. Our home ground is Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, an integrated sports complex having international sporting infrastructures. We are the highest-rated international academy in the country as per accreditation ratings of All India Football Federation and we participate in state, national and international leagues and tournaments.”

Sunanda believes this collaboration with Villarreal CF will benefit Alchemy International Football Academy and provide players in Bengaluru, and all across India, with very valuable opportunities. “The foundation of Villarreal CF playing for a long time at the top tier of European football is based on its youth development framework and programmes.

The youth development programme at the club is regarded as one of the best in the world and we want to inculcate the best practices to maintain our leadership position in the grassroots and youth football ecosystem in India. Our student athletes will benefit from Villarreal’s best practices and short- and long-term training exposures at the club in Spain.”

Notably, Alchemy International Football Academy was nominated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to be part of FIFA’s High Performance Programme. This is Villarreal’s first collaboration in India. The Yellows also boast official partner academies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Israel, Kuwait, Australia, Republic of Korea and Malaysia, among others.