The New Saints are proud and delighted to confirm its Academy has been awarded category ‘A’ status by the FAW, recognising the clubs outstanding contribution to bringing through the next generation of young talent in Wales. 

The new categorisation confirms The Saints are delivering the highest level of provision across Wales and will spark as a catalyst for the next phase of the Academy’s progression in the years ahead. The club continues to pave the way in ensuring they produce the finest talent in Wales.

The dedication of TNS’ elite coaches, coupled with the new FAW requirements introduced at all levels will only enhance the club’s player and coach development, and provide the opportunity to lay fresh foundations for its youth football provision.

The award comes at a fitting time for TNS, after the club recently retained the FAW Youth Cup with a dominant display in a 5-2 win against Penybont.

Furthermore, 50% of all national finals over the previous two years featured TNS teams across all age groups and all five teams from under-12 to under-16 qualified for the northern finals during the 22-23 season.

The club has a rich history of developing outstanding football talent, with a number of players coming through the Academy ranks to represent both TNS and other professional football teams across the UK in recent seasons.

This includes academy graduate Ben Clark, whose excellent season with the club’s first team has seen him included on a three-man shortlist for the JD Cymru Premier’s Young Player of the Season Award.

Other examples include Jake Canavan and Billy Kirkman, whose successful loan spells at Aberystwyth Town helped the club survive relegation from the JD Cymru Premier, Scott Quigley, who’s since won the National League Golden Boot after an electric goal-scoring season for Barrow FC, and both Lewis Wynne and Jake Humphries, who became the first Welsh Licensed Academy players in history to be called up to the Welsh Youth National Squad last year.

The club is also continually seeking ways to provide pathways into its first team for the best young players across Wales, most notably Gwion Dafydd, who’s scored six goals in seven appearances this season after coming through the youth set-up at Caernarfon Town.

TNS are clear in their vision that players developed in the Welsh domestic game should be given the opportunity to feature for the Welsh national team, the club will continue to utilise its exceptional academy structure to make this vision a reality.

Speaking on the award of category A status, Head of Coaching, Chris Seargeant, said: 

“I am delighted that we have been awarded category A status for the next two years to recognise the incredible work of our coaching team here at The New Saints.

”I’d like to take this opportunity to thank John Rhodes working on the operational side of the Academy, the chairman, the board, players, coaches and most importantly the parents who buy into everything we do and sacrifice so much each day.

“The club are achieving amazing things from the senior team right through the age groups, but this award now allows us to continue to move forwards with the very best academy structure in the country, allowing us to develop the next generation of players for the club.” 

TNS chairman, Mike Harris, said: 

“This is a truly outstanding achievement and recognition for the football club, reaffirming our position as the leaders in Welsh football both on and off the pitch.

“We are committed to bringing through players that will not only excel for TNS but have a great impact on the Welsh national team.

“I want to see players from our football club representing the country for many years ahead, capitalising on the hotbed of footballing talent in Wales. The investment in the playing facilities will enable us to attract the next generations of Gareth Bales.

“I’d like to congratulate Chris and all of his staff for their efforts in ensuring we can offer the very best academy provision in Welsh football. Producing talent in Wales is at the heart of our DNA and receiving this recognition provides an outstanding opportunity for the club to continue doing just that.

“Our commitment to providing opportunities for young players in Wales will not only benefit the football club but increase our impact in the local community”

TNS will be hosting Academy trials on W/C 15th May, for more information please email academy-admin@tnsfc.co.uk.

 

Lead image: Andrew Donnison/F28.Online