A club’s youth academy, or “quarry,” is its lifeblood, fostering new talent and nurturing the future of the sport.
For many top clubs, a well-structured youth development system can lead to not only victories on the field but also financial stability, thanks to homegrown players making it to the professional ranks or transferring for a profit.
Among Europe’s top youth systems, Sevilla Fútbol Club stands out for its impressive structure and renowned player development, creating a model that is widely studied in sports and business schools alike.
Here, we break down the core structure of Sevilla’s quarry and the key departments shaping the next generation of football talent.
1. The Organization Chart:
Building Blocks of a Successful Academy
At the helm of Sevilla’s youth academy sits the General Sports Director, who oversees a strategic team including the sports director, youth director, director of talent development, and head of the women’s football department.
Supporting these leaders is the General Coordinator of Quarry, a role that ensures smooth communication across departments and maintains Sevilla’s high standards in youth development.
From here, the club has split its operations into two main branches: Functional Areas and Cross-Sectional Areas.
The Functional Areas handle essential services like human resources, administration, residency, and communication, not just for the club but specifically for the quarry, ensuring that these young players have a solid support system.
Meanwhile, Cross-Sectional Areas include specialized departments like sports psychology, analysis, and goalkeeper training, all crucial in developing well-rounded players.
2. Performance Optimization:
Building a Strong Foundation
The Performance Optimization Department is a critical part of Sevilla’s youth structure, focusing on physical and motor development.
The department’s work spans four key areas: motor patterns, strength, GPS data, and physical preparation.
This team establishes performance standards across all age levels, ensuring that every player, regardless of their team, follows a structured development plan that enhances their athletic abilities.
These guidelines allow Sevilla’s trainers to monitor and manage each player’s physical growth, reducing the risk of injury while maintaining a consistent standard of physical readiness. By tailoring fitness plans and monitoring physical progress, the Performance Optimization team ensures each player’s physical development aligns with the club’s demands.
3. The Recruitment Department:
Scouting Local Talent
Sevilla’s Recruitment Department, with a team of 16, keeps a close watch on promising talent, mainly within the Seville province and the larger Andalusia region.
While scouting throughout Spain is important, history has shown that local players often make the best fit for the club’s first team, reflecting a focus on regional roots and minimizing disruption to the young players’ family and educational environments.
With an eye on maintaining a balanced approach to player development, Sevilla’s scouting team focuses on local players while still tracking national talent.
This strategic emphasis on Andalusian players not only builds a sense of regional identity but also strengthens Sevilla’s connection to its community.
4. Talent Development
Personalization and Specialized Training
The Talent Development Department is where Sevilla truly shapes its players, breaking down their growth into five primary areas: personalization, methodology, strength, technification, and tactification.
These areas allow the club to refine each player’s individual skillset through personalized training, regardless of their age or team category.
- Personalization and Methodology: Sevilla prioritizes individual player needs, designing personalized training plans that align with the club’s game model. Coaches in lower categories work closely with the youth director to ensure every player develops the core competencies that define Sevilla’s style of play.
- Strength and Technification: This dual focus on physical and technical growth enables players to develop key skills, from defensive positioning to mastering long passes. The department collaborates closely with the Performance Optimization team to ensure that the physical standards and technical requirements align, enhancing each player’s overall readiness for higher levels of play.
- Tactification: This aspect focuses on refining tactical intelligence, teaching players the specific roles they’ll need to master as they advance. For instance, defenders work on positional awareness, while forwards focus on off-the-ball movement, preparing them for the nuanced demands of professional football.
Conclusion
In football, a well-developed quarry provides a steady pipeline of talent ready to take on the world stage or contribute to the team’s success.
Sevilla Fútbol Club’s comprehensive approach—from recruitment to performance optimization and personalized training—demonstrates the meticulous planning that goes into developing elite players.
By nurturing talent from a young age, emphasizing physical fitness, and instilling a unified playing philosophy, Sevilla builds players who are not just prepared for the challenges of professional football but embody the club’s values and identity.
For clubs aiming to create or refine their youth development systems, Sevilla’s model stands as a powerful example of how strategic planning, local focus, and personalized player development can lead to sustained success.