Haimen Codion Youth Football Club has earned a spot on the China Football Development Foundation's 2026 youth training support list and, for the third consecutive year, stands as the only private non-profit youth training center in Jiangsu province to achieve this honor.

Haimen Codion's training base. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]

A well-structured age-group system and a proven player-development track record underpin that success.

Since 2011, Codion has maintained full squads at every age level, ranging from under-8 to under-19, with 12 elite teams training year-round and about 300 players on its books. The club also employs over 30 certified coaches, including some from overseas, and maintains several standard grass pitches.

This strong foundation has enabled the club to avoid pitfalls such as unreliable training facilities, fluctuating squad sizes and gaps between age groups.

On the development side, the club has sent over 160 players to national youth camps, several of whom now start for national youth teams. Its under-12 and under-13 squads drive this record by providing solid training and a clear pathway. The club also partners with local schools so that players can continue their studies, offering an option beyond football.