The David Beckham Academy has revitalised the way people view youth sport provision. With plans to extend the brand further still, could we be looking at a new force in the development of young football talent, and what are the true commercial ideals behind the project?

Football Business spoke to Alison Bullock, General Manager of the David Beckham Academy, to find out:

Corporate sponsorship and events at the Academy help support the costs of delivering programmes for youngsters of all ages and abilities.

Any revenue we make is invested back into the Academy to run our free schemes, such as the national schools day visit programme, where we provide a one-day programme for pupils from all over the country.

In every sense, there are very few if any similar models out there. Whilst some elite schemes are corporately sponsored, most soccer camps are provided at a cost and it is often left to local clubs, schools and charities to deliver community programmes for those youngsters that 'play for fun'.

It's David's vision that demands the best facilities and coaching staff is made available for all ages and abilities, and where possible free-of-charge, so there are organisations that mimic aspects of what we do, but not as the complete package.

David and our senior coaches are very ‘hands-on’ with all aspects of the Academy so franchising out the Academy in the traditional sense is not an option. It's important that the core integrity of the Academy is maintained at a high standard and we are currently assessing how we best manage that over a larger number of locations.

Absolutely, that is our core aim. We not only manage a successful nationwide schools programme, we also work extensively in the local community with children and disadvantaged groups.

The sport of football is an entertaining participation and spectator sport, and teaches the benefits of good health, confidence, teamwork, respect, fair play as well as other life skills: The Academy concept is based on harnessing David's appeal as a global role model to engage and inspire youngsters to be active and have fun as well as learn those important life skills through football. The provision of top class facilities and coaching staff creates the best motivational environment in which children can learn.

Each commercial partner we have is integral to the business strategy; for example, Adidas provide all the kit for children who visit the Academy and Volkswagen contributes the transportation that brings school kids to the Academy.

We have offers from all over the world to host a David Beckham Academy, and the opportunities appear endless. However, our aim is to ensure each location can support the quality of coaching and programmes we demand in order to maintain the high standards people expect of us, and this may mean keeping it small.