Birmingham City FC has been awarded “category one” status following a rigorous audit by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC).
Among the best in Britain
After three years in category two, academy technical Director Mike Rigg and academy manager Louisa Collis have spearheaded a transformation that now places Birmingham City’s academy among the best in the country for facilities, coaching and opportunities for young players.
The achievement reinforces the club’s long-term commitment to nurturing local talent, a promise made when Knighthead Capital acquired Birmingham City in 2023. The upgraded status will allow academy players to face top-level competition in the elite games programme and attract promising prospects from across the UK.
Elite facility
Beyond football, the academy will now provide full-time education and access to elite staffing across areas such as sports science, nutrition, and psychology. The improved categorisation highlights enhanced facilities, coaching standards, and the club’s dedication to developing first-team-ready players, following in the footsteps of Jude and Jobe Bellingham, Jack Butland, Nathan Redmond and Demarai Gray.
Leadership Reaction
Academy Manager Louisa Collis said: “Our young players will now have access to best-in-class programmes across education, sports science, medicine, and nutrition.”
Director of Football Craig Gardner said: “Our academy will now provide a holistic programme where young players can thrive both on and off the pitch.”
Academy Technical Director Mike Rigg said: “We now have the foundation to build a talent pipeline from Under-8s to Under-21s.”
Interim CEO Jeremy Dale said: “To compete at the highest levels, we need our academy to consistently attract and develop top young players.”
