UD Almería focus on Academy players’ development beyond football
The Club’s youth department holds comprehensive workshops for players and parents on healthy habits, education and responsible use of social media
UD Almería, through its Academy department led by Ibán Andrés, has organised a series of comprehensive educational workshops aimed at guiding both players and their parents on matters related not only to football, but also to life beyond the pitch.
As part of this initiative, two sessions were held in the conference room at the UD Almería Stadium. The first, overseen by Academy coordinator Manuel López, was addressed to parents of the youngest age groups, Under-8s, Under-10s, Under-14s and first-year Under-16s.
The second session was delivered directly to the players themselves, second-year under-16s and under-19s. The talks were led by Juan Carlos Cintas, head of academy methodology, and the Club’s psychologist, Francisco Javier Fernández.
The workshops focused primarily on key aspects away from the game, offering guidance on healthy lifestyle habits, the importance of education, responsible use of social media, managing relationships with agents, and fostering positive behaviour with team-mates and classmates.
In short, the initiative forms part of the Club’s wider commitment to developing young players from every perspective, not only as footballers, but as well-rounded individuals, which remains one of the core objectives of UD Almería and its Academy structure.