The Talent Identification Programme (TIPS)

During the final term of last academic year, Derby County in the Community launched four ‘TIPS’ centres across the county. The Talent Identification Programme is designed to help improve the skills of talented young football players that have been identified through our grassroots coaching program. Working closely with the Derby County Academy, children in years 1 to 4 are invited to attend the centres which have been developed to be a potential stepping stone between grassroots football and DCFC development centres. During each session, the young players are provided with the opportunity to showcase and improve their talents in a relaxed environment, through a range of activities designed to improve individual skill levels and provide youngsters with an opportunity to begin on the Derby County Player Pathway.

Each TIPS programme lasts the duration of a school term, culminating in a festival held at Moor Farm Training Ground, where talented youngsters from across the county play against each other in front of Derby County in the Community coaches as well as Derby County Development Centre and Academy staff. Our first festival was hosted by the DCFC academy on Wednesday 27th July with over 50 talented children in attendance. The festival was a fantastic opportunity for the children and their family and friends to experience DCFC’s wonderful training facilities as well as a chance for DCFC staff to access the footballing talent from across the County.

Derby County in the Community currently have TIPS centres at The Pingle School in South Derbyshire, Derby Moor Community Sports College in the city centre and Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth with plans to expand them into Matlock, Swanwick and Ashbourne. We also plan to link up with other professional clubs across our regional, who are running similar programs, to begin to organise friendly fixtures.

Should you want any further information, or feel that your child may benefit from attending on of our TIPS centres, please contact the Community Office on 10332 667575 and speak to Richard Mansfield.