Why are Barnsley in the Elite Youth Academy?

[QPR Report]

And QPR clearly are not?

Is this a regional thing, since there are no Southern clubs here?
Are QPR in the Southern Academy with Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs etc?

www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~1712719,00.html

ACADEMY KICK OFF WITH POMPEY VISIT
Posted on: Fri 03 Jul 2009

BARNSLEY'S Academy side will kick off their 2009/2010 campaign at Oakwell against Premier League side Portsmouth.

The provisional FA Premier Academy League fixtures have been released this morning and the Reds face a mouth watering opening few weeks with games against Pompey, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Manchester United before a South Yorkshire derby double header kicking off late September with the trip to Sheffield Wednesday before the visit of Sheffield United.

FA Premier Academy League Fixtures 2009/2010 (KO TBC)

[scottjones]

Because we havent been promoted from the division below (the youth alliance division) maybe?

[cpr]

We have a centre of excellence, we do not have academy status.

[QPR Report]

I thought we didn't have academy status cos we couldnt afford the facilities...But how can Barnsley?

[grumpyolde]

Probably because they care about their youth players and are trying to do the best for them.

Also maybe the Barnsley club is run as a football club, not just somebodies hobby.

Look at the difference in the quality of the fixture lists. If it wasn't so pathetic it would be a joke.