This past weekend saw the start of the Academy Summer League programme, writes Jason Brindley. We are delighted to be part of it, with weekly fixtures against other Welsh Academies.
With the season being cut short due to COVID-19, it’s great that we can be part of a summer programme where our youngsters can make up for the time lost earlier this year. Credit to Jay Catton and the other clubs for coming together.
We travelled and hosted Llandudno with our U12-19 age groups. All games were of an excellent standard and a great advertisement for the work being done for youth provision at Welsh football clubs.
We will still be playing against English Academies in friendly fixtures, with Stoke City, West Brom, Burnley and Liverpool in the short term, as well as travelling to South Wales to play Swansea City.
It’s good to have a balance of fixtures, being able to play against top-level opposition, but also have that competitive element that the summer league provides. Both present different challenges, from a tactical and psychological perspective. That competitive edge is important and plays a large part in player development.
We’ve been busy and proactive since returning from lockdown. We want to make sure our youngsters have the best chance and keep improving and learning. A lot of groups have played two games a week as we look to build their minutes up. Having the season extended will also help this, and we will pretty much roll into next season.
We are also busy planning the programme for the upcoming season. Trial dates are currently being confirmed, so keep an eye out if you would like, or know someone who would like, the opportunity to play for our fantastic football club next season.
On a whole, if we summarise, it was so good to be back in full swing of things. Training has been excellent and you can see how much the coaches have missed it, let alone our players. The attention to detail in session design and delivery is top class.
All the lads have been excellent since returning, and all groups are looking really good, individually and collectively. I think the work they put into the online programme is showing, with a better understanding of themselves, their role, and the game as a whole, but also from a physical perspective. The players are definitely showing the benefits of the work they have put in.
We’re delighted to be back properly and are excited about a busy and active summer.
