My info is sketchy but here's what i know: firstly, despite the website blurb, VERY FEW APFA scholars are actually on FULL scholarships (I only know of one NZ kid on a full); and they'll take anyone, irrespective of ability, who wants to fork out $700 for a week "trial". "Thanks very much", says Mr & Mrs Smith.
From what I understand there are a range of payment deals. My best guess is a range between $170 per week - $8,840 per annum - live at home (which they don't particularly encourage), up to approx $15-20K per year (which includes full board). That's 5/6 sessions per week - training/gym/sports science etc). Apparently full on-site accommodation is being planned too.
It's a lot of money but they do seem well networked and I think that is what a lot of the parents are paying for - those "opportunities". Are they producing better players than clubs/NZF pathway? Who knows. It's certainly a far more professional environment than anything clubs/NZF offer at federation level. The kids there miss out on a lot of normal teenage stuff but that seems to be the price to pay to "make it".
Academies - are the costs worth it? Discuss.