The Ultimate Elite Academy
Residential Experience.
An immersive overnight football camp for ambitious UK and international players aged 10–16, hosted at top UK boarding schools and run by UEFA & FA licenced coaches alongside experienced residential day and night staff. Players enjoy six unforgettable nights of football, friendships, learning and fun within a safe, structured and inspiring environment designed to build confidence on and off the pitch.
Feeding the country’s best academies
Why a residential beats a longer day camp
Seven days inside a professional coaching environment beats a term of Saturday-morning clubs.
Full immersion
Eat together, train together, sleep together. Seven days, six nights of habits forming when there’s no commute and no distractions.
Hover →20+ coaching hours
Same coaches all week, same group, same standards. Skill compounds across days, and stays compounded after camp ends.
Hover →Mateships that stick
Friendships form in a week that don’t form in a term of weekly sessions. Most players come back next year for that alone.
Hover →Independence, lightly held
First time away from home for many. Designated Safeguarding Lead on site every night. 24/7 parent contact.
Hover →Seven days. A year of growth.
What twelve months of weekly sessions deliver, a residential compresses into a week. Compounding doesn’t happen in 90 minutes once a fortnight.
Settling in
Strangers in the morning. Teammates by sundown. The bonds that drive the rest of the week start here.
The breakthrough
Their first touch finally surprises them. You see it on their face when they realise it landed.
The game slows down
Positional sense. Decision-making. The pause before the pass. Tactical clarity arrives, and it changes everything.
Match confidence
Six days of practice, one tournament to prove it. Live coaching, high stakes, hard lessons earned the only way they can be.
Coming home different
They walk back to your car as a different player. You’ll see it before they say it.
Everything for the week. No hidden extras.
Six nights' full board at Ackworth School. 20+ hours UEFA-qualified coaching, football-focused English learning, mindset and confidence workshops, stadium tours, showcase games with scouts, and evening activities. Designated safeguarding lead on site every night.
hours UEFA-licensed coaching
Across technical, tactical, physical and mental pillars. Two coaches per group, on site for the full week.
Stadium tours
Professional stadium visits as part of the week's evening itinerary.
Showcase games
End-of-week competitive fixtures with academy scouts in attendance.
nights full board
En-suite or shared rooms in the school's boarding block. Three meals + snacks daily.
Football-focused English
Immersive English learning built around football vocabulary, tactics talks and team play.
Confidence workshops
Daily mindset and leadership sessions. Confidence under pressure, response to mistakes, communication on the pitch.
Evening activities
Structured evenings with quizzes, tournaments, films and team challenges, supervised throughout.
End-of-week report
Written feedback on technical, tactical, physical and mental development.
Coached & supervised by qualified, vetted, on-site staff
Every Matico residential is led by Emeel Mati, UEFA B Licence, FA Advanced Youth Award, FA Level 3 Talent ID, supported by a team of FA-qualified coaches who stay on site for the entire camp. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is present every night.
A top UK boarding school in West Yorkshire
Players stay, train and learn at Ackworth School in Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 7LT. Boys and girls board in separate residential buildings within the campus.
5 football pitches
Plus two all-weather pitches, a brand new 3G Astro turf academy pitch, and an athletics field, so every session has the right surface and space.
Indoor heated pool & gym
Newly built fitness suite and heated indoor swimming pool on site.
Tennis, squash, table tennis
All-weather tennis courts, two squash courts, table tennis and cricket facilities for evening activities.
Catering & boarding
Full board with daily meals prepared at the venue. Dietary requirements catered for, please flag any allergies or special needs at booking.
“Our 11 year old son came home more confident, independent and motivated. He loved the football-focused English lessons, mindset workshops and academy-level coaching. As parents, we felt completely comfortable with how organised, safe and supportive the staff were.”
Sarah & James, parents of a 2025 residential player
Summer 2026 places — £200 deposit to secure
Limited boarding capacity, small coaching group sizes and high international demand mean places fill quickly. Early Bird prices available for a limited time only.
For players travelling from abroad
Full daily experience, no overnight
£200 deposit* secures your place. Our admissions team will follow up with payment instructions, terms & conditions, and any required forms (birth certificate, passport copy, medical info).
Upcoming residentials
Confirmed dates. Confirmed venues. Live spots-left counts.
From inside the week
What parents always ask
Will my child be safe?
Absolutely. Player welfare is the highest priority. The camp operates within a structured boarding school environment with safeguarding procedures, experienced residential staff, overnight supervision, and a Designated Safeguarding Lead on site at all times.
What if my child has never stayed away from home before?
Many players attend their first residential camp with Matico Football. Staff are experienced in helping young players settle in quickly, build friendships, and feel comfortable throughout the week.
Who can attend the camp?
The camp is open to boys and girls aged 10–16 from both the UK and internationally. Separate boarding accommodation is provided for boys and girls.
Where is the camp held?
The residential camp takes place at Ackworth School in West Yorkshire (WF7 7LT).
What dates are available?
Week 1: 16th August – 22nd August 2026
Week 2: 22nd August – 29th August 2026
Players can attend one week, both weeks, or the UK Local Player Programme.
What is included in the residential experience?
6 nights accommodation, full catering and meals, 20+ hours of football coaching, football-focused English learning, mindset and confidence workshops, showcase games, evening activities and socials, branded Matico training kit, and a player feedback overview.
Do players need academy experience?
No. The camp is designed for ambitious players of different abilities. Players are grouped appropriately to ensure everyone is challenged and supported at the right level.
Are the coaches qualified?
Yes. Sessions are delivered by experienced UEFA and FA qualified coaches alongside experienced residential staff. All staff are enhanced DBS checked, safeguarding trained and first aid qualified.
Is the camp suitable for international players?
Yes. The programme is designed for both UK and international players, with English learning sessions included to help build communication and confidence.
Are flights included for international players?
No. Flights and travel arrangements are the responsibility of parents or guardians. For students needing a visa, Matico can provide a visa support letter following successful application.
Is there a non-residential option?
Yes. The UK Local Player Programme allows players to attend daily without overnight accommodation. Drop-off is from 9:00am and pick-up is at 6:00pm.
Are scouts attending?
Yes. Showcase games will include invited scouts and football observers from professional and academy environments. Scout attendance does not guarantee trials or contracts.
How are players grouped?
Players are grouped based on age, football ability, development level and English confidence. This helps create safe, competitive and enjoyable environments for all players.
Can parents contact players during the week?
Yes. Parents will receive communication procedures and emergency contact details before camp begins.
Will players receive feedback?
Yes. Each player receives an end-of-week player feedback overview highlighting development areas and positives from the week. Optional professional scouting report packages are available for more detailed individual analysis.
Ready to book your child’s residential?
Spaces are filling for the next intake. Reserve a place with a £200 deposit, balance due closer to camp.