1. Who is Panathinaikos FC (PAO FC)?

Panathinaikos FC, founded over a century ago, is one of the most successful professional football clubs in Greece's Superleague (1st Pro Division). PAO has won: 21 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups, with 8 of the League and Cup Championships occurring in the same year (called "Doubles"). PAO FC boasts numerous UEFA Champion's League appearances.

2. What can I expect to see/do during training?

Players will follow a training session that is structured similarly to that used at the residency academy in Athens, Greece. Training will include warm-up, conditioning & strength training, drills, and possibly scrimmages. The training will include player development in the area of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological components of play. Individual player development is at the forefront of the training experience.

3. What is the training curriculum?

Players and teams will be exposed to curriculum and will advance based on player readiness as opposed to player age. The curriculum includes training in technical, tactical, physical, and psychological components of the game from the beginning of their playing/training experience with Panathinaikos Soccer Schools. The curriculum players experience is the same as is used at the residency academy.

4. What is the experience and training of my coach?

All coaches are expected to hold the minimum licensing requirements of their respective federal football federations for the level/age of players they coach. Additionally, our coaches are required to attend supplementary training and licensing through PAO FC. Coach training and licensing through PAO FC occurs annually. Upon completion of the PAO Pro-Licensing (Level 4), coaches will have the opportunity to obtain UEFA licensing.

5. How is player development monitored?

Player development is monitored through a variety of means. Players are formally evaluated, and results centrally housed, through the PAO FC Performance Lab. Additionally, team report card data are collected and maintained with specific player performance statistics. Finally, PAO FC has introduced DNA analysis for all of its players to analyze each player's DNA make-up and somatotype in relation to potential professional play success.

6. How is team performance monitored?

Team performance is monitored through the completion and analysis of PAO Game Report Cards. This information is used to analyze team needs, progress, and areas needing attention and development.

7. How do I take advantage of international training and international playing opportunities?

Players will be scouted throughout the year based on performance and data. Scouts will be in attendance at the Panathinaikos SuperCup tournaments as well as other tournaments as arranged by coaches and tournament directors.

Players will be allowed to attend the summer camp at the training facility in Greece by invitation only, as registration is limited. If a player wishes to attend, the family should notify the coach or academy director in writing no later than March 31 of that year so a thorough analysis of the player's abilities can be made. An approved player would then be issued a formal invitation and the player's family can begin the application/registration process.

Teams seeking international play (friendlies or tournaments) should communicate with their academy director to discuss the team's level of play and determine readiness as well as opportunities for such experiences.

Players who are scouted for potential professional play will have an opportunity to travel to the residency academy for a final evaluation with Panathinaikos Residency Academy Coaches and executives for consideration. If accepted, the player will be inducted into the academy where he will be trained and prepared for professional play.

8. What is available to players seeking college-level play?

We continue to network with colleges & universities throughout the world to support our players in earning scholarships and playing opportunities. We also host parent and player seminars to guide families in planning for college play as well as "marketing" their player to scouts.

9. What opportunities are available to female players?

Not only do we have options for the college-bound female player, we also have connections to several professional clubs in Europe that have women's professional teams. Additionally, we can offer our female footballers the benefit of our connections to the women's professional league here in the US.

10. What kind of time commitment can I expect?

Depending on your player's level of play, potential, and team level of play, you can safely expect that your player will attend training 2-4 days each week plus games and tournaments. Depending on the player/team level of play, tournaments may occur locally, nationally, or even internationally.

As is the case with athletes in any sport, the frequency of training and time commitment increases significantly as the player progresses. No athlete has reached his/her full potential training 1-2 days per week.

11. What is PAO doing for local communities?

PAO sponsors teams and leagues in several communities to provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to experience soccer.