Sunderland’s training ground: Where it is, what it’s called and the history of the Black Cats’ HQ
Sunderland have possessed Premier League-quality facilities for some time, but now they have boots worthy of treading on them.
For too long, the Wearsiders toiled in the depths of League One, with the hope of becoming a top-flight club once again.
However, now Sunderland boast the likes of Granit Xhaka and a team full of world beaters who are doing their city proud.
While we get the pleasure of watching our beloved club on the pitch, much of the good work takes place at the Academy of Light.
How the Academy of Light was born
Regis Le Bris has been utilising Sunderland’s facilities to great aplomb, and whatever he does on the training ground deserves a knighthood.
The Black Cats’ first team training centre is called the Academy of Light, and it is located in Cleadon, which is situated in South Tyneside, just north of Sunderland.
Following the Wearsiders’ move to the Stadium of Light, the North East club’s training facilities opened in 2003 as a modern, UEFA-standard academy complex.
When it opened, the aim was to build a long-term academy pipeline to the first team, taking the Black Cats to the next level.
The Academy of Light boasts outstanding facilities
Chris Rigg has emerged as an undeniable talent for Sunderland, having risen through the North East club’s academy system.
The Academy of Light’s site covers around 220 acres, with several important facilities making up the admirable complex.
- Multiple full-size grass pitches
- An indoor training dome
- Gym and sports-science suites
- Hydrotherapy and recovery areas
- Academy classrooms and accommodation for youth players
- Staff accommodation and canteen areas
What is unique about the training centre is that men and women share the facilities, including the canteen.
Indeed, the sharing of facilities is considered a ‘non-negotiable’ by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, as per The Guardian.
Before the Academy of Light, Sunderland trained at the Charley Hurley Centre, named after the legendary centre-back.
David Moyes hailed Sunderland’s training facilities
Moyes was thrilled by Sunderland’s play-off antics last term, but the Scot endured a torrid time in the North East.
Nonetheless, Everton’s manager spoke highly of the Academy of Light when he was in charge, praising the talent that came through.
“Sunderland’s academy has produced Jordan Henderson, who recently captained England,” Moyes said via the Premier League website in 2016.
“Jordan Pickford’s broken into the team, Lynden Gooch has become an international player in the last few weeks.
“I want it to inspire young players to think, ‘If I go to Sunderland, the manager might put me in the team there’.”
Indeed, the Wearsiders’ production line highlights just how fruitful the Academy of Light has been, with several of the current cohort having risen through the ranks.
- Anthony Patterson
- Dan Neil
- Chris Rigg
- Harrison Jones
Sunderland were once a club laughed at for their woeful demise down the Football League, but they have finally fought back.
While there are new players and people in power, the foundations have been there for some time at the Academy of Light.
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