Rubb-built Sunderland Academy of Light granted Category One status by Premier League

Sunderland’s Academy of Light has received the elite Category One status from a Premier League Audit. Category One status is awarded to clubs which provide the best coaching, facilities, and strategic development for their talent. The status allows Sunderland to compete in the highest level of youth and U23 competitions, recruit players from further afield, as well as securing the maximum funding level from the FA and Premier League. The Black Cats’ academy, which has produced players such as England’s Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson, was lauded for its “well-developed and structured vision, mission, objectives, and strategy.” The academy’s staff were also praised for their “shared, defined reason as to what they stand for and where they are going.” Rubb built the Academy of Light’s training grounds in 2012, so it’s amazing to see the academy receiving such high praise—especially for how elite their facilities are. The structure stands 12.5m high at its apex and comprises a galvanized steel frame, a white PVC clad roof, a large gutter system, a Fullflow syphonic drainage system and four large vent roof cowls along the apex. The translucent roof allows natural daylight to illuminate the interior which includes a full size indoor 3G football pitch. The sidewalls and gables are constructed with stone filled gabion cages up to 3.8m high, with the upper part clad with Larch timber. For more details, please see Rubb’s Sunderland AFC Training Facility page.

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