{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Youth football expert sees Kinetic academy hit record numbers of pro deals
We’re delighted to welcome the founder of Kinetic Academy Harry Hudson as our exclusive columnist. Each week the youth football expert will be giving his views on the biggest talking points on wonderkids across the UK…
The Kinetic Academy has provided plentiful opportunities for players in London to find their way into youth football and the growth is astounding.
Harry Hudson began the foundation in 2011 and saw just three players graduate to earn professional contracts but they have gone from strength to strength ever since.
This summer has already seen Sutton United, Colchester United, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday sign players from the Kinetic Academy and more could still come yet.
Hudson has put his charity’s success down to the volume of games his side plays every season against professional teams despite not being one themselves.
“It’s been five or six on average every season (that have gained professional contracts) until this season,” Hudson told The Football Wonderkids.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
“I think we hit 11 this year but it might have even been 12 and it’s been on a gradual increase throughout.
“The first year we might have only had two or three who got pro deals but there are so many things outside of our control that I don’t want to make any predictions and set us up to fail.
“Thankfully, we play between 25 and 35 games every year against professional clubs and in the FA Youth Cup as well where we’ve done pretty well.
“So the boys are in front of scouts all the time which means the chances are increased of them earning a pro contract.”
Kinetic are only able to play in the Youth Cup due to a combined venture with London-based non-league side Corinthian Casuals and made it to the third round last season where they were beaten by Wigan Athletic.
In other Kinetic Academy news, Joe Aribo is one of the most recognisable alumni of the academy and Hudson revealed how he celebrated his Europa League final goal for Rangers.