Cherries to appeal academy decision
- Published
AFC Bournemouth are in the process of appealing after its academy failed to achieve Category One status.
An independent audit of the club's facilities was carried out by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) earlier this year.
Category One is the highest status awarded to a club within the professional game under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
The EPPP is a long-term youth development strategy that was introduced in 2012 as a result of a consultation between the Premier League, the FA and the EFL.
Bournemouth were awarded Category Two status in 2023 and submitted an application for a change in categorisation last year.
BBC Radio Solent understands Bournemouth's application was rejected due to an issue with the number of pitches at its new state-of-the-art Performance Centre.
The Cherries opened the £32m training facility at Canford Magna in April 2025.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent at the launch event in April 2025, project manager Darren Booth said: "There's another six academy pitches to be done. That's all part of the next phase that the club will need to look at and appoint someone else to do."
Amongst the benefits of Category One status are access to more funding and a place in the elite Premier League 2 academy competition.
