An Academy is not just a building. It is not just a group of young players and coaches. It is not just a scheme.

It is all of these things, but more importantly it is a philosophy, a culture and a way of doing things.

Cardiff City Football Club has always been centred around the local community. The great players and teams throughout the Club's history have been built on local boys and local talent.

We have a proud history of nurturing young stars of the future and continue to maintain our commitment to youth development by doing it The Cardiff Way.

Cardiff City Football Club operates an extensive and highly successful Youth Academy. Players such as Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Robert Earnshaw, James Collins, Scott Young and Joe Ledley have all graduated through the Youth system. Current first-team members Darcy Blake, Adam Matthews, Aaron Wildig, Nat Jarvis and Jordan Santiago - all Academy graduates - pay testament to the work of the Cardiff City Academy in recent seasons.

Cardiff City Football Club is fully committed to the Academy and recognises the importance of developing youth. As the Football Club develops, we at the Academy will ensure we continue making the great steps we've been taking in recent years.