This year has been fantastic for our Academy here at The New Saints FC, especially for our Foundation Phase, writes Ash Russell.

Our programme during 2023 involved a great mix of fixtures, with clubs across the UK and beyond, as well as the fixtures against our FAW Regional North Academies.

Starting the year in January and February, our U8-12s participated in fixtures at Everton, Fleetwood and Preston North End along with local and regional fixtures, players were exposed to lots of different opportunities to learn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Different teams provide different challenges and these challenges help our players find solutions to solve problems and develop their skills throughout the age groups. During this time, we had an U8 Futsal Festival also which was a great addition to the programme and involved ourselves, Airbus and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Futsal is a great game to develop quick decision makers and technical players. The 5v5 format being continued for our U8’s allowed for maximum ball rolling time and loads of touches which is what the game is about.

All players who attended had lots of fun playing in the high intensity format and across the five games our players shown great levels of confidence, bravery and ability whilst representing the club fantastically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March and April saw our players host multiple touring sides from both Australia and USA and travel to Wolves. In addition to this, we also conducted our FAW Life-skills Workshops and travelled to Bangor for our first teams’ JD Welsh Cup final.

The games against touring sides are always a fantastic addition to our programme as we get to experience the international styles of play, they always provide a good challenge for players in a respectful and sportsmanlike way.

These games also allow our players to interact with players they would never normally come across and discuss everything they’ve learnt and seen at both clubs. These social skills are key to developing the person behind the player too and it’s always great to see how welcoming and respectful our players are when talking about our club to these types of sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Welsh Cup final was a fantastic occasion for all involved at Nantporth in Bangor too. On the day, our U8-11s had fixtures at Bangor against Bala prior to the final which then saw our players as mascots, ball boys and flag bearers prior to the first teams win.

It was great to see our players supporting the first team and watching players in the positions they want to be in years to come. It’s great for players to look up to the first team players and they were in fine voice on the day cheering them on.

“April 2023 saw the end of the National Academi League programme for the 22/23 season which was an excellent year for our U12 group,” said Academy coach, Hudson Parry.

“It was their first season in a new playing format and every player took it by storm with some fantastic performances throughout the season in the group’s first competitive year, where they all pushed themselves and each other to be the best they could be.

“This helped them top their league and record only one loss throughout the season which is a credit to the standards they withheld on the pitch.

“At the end of the season, the teams in 1st and 2nd place play a northern play-off final to decide which team will represent the region in the national finals. The boys battled really well and played some excellent football against a strong Connah’s Quay Nomads team who narrowly won on one of the longest penalty shootouts you have seen.

“Overall, it was a fantastic season for the group who progressed excellently throughout.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May and June then saw fixtures for U9-12s away at Manchester United and Accrington Stanley prior to our ‘End of Season Celebration Evening’. The fixtures such as Man United are always great, as we get to see our players against their favourite clubs, in training grounds both they and their parents idolise.

The games are always played at high intensity and have exceptional talent on show. On this occasion, the fixtures were no different and provided a great stage for players to showcase their skills.

Our end of season awards is always a fantastic event to end the season. With all of our players and staff in smart clothing, having fun and catching up away from the pitch to reminisce on the memories throughout the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The awards are always enjoyable, but it’s great to see everyone together and celebrating their success throughout the season and the life lasting memories they’ve created.

Following a short break, June and July brought the new 2023-24 season with our open trial period. This brought our new intake of U8s which I personally am very lucky to lead!

As well as this, it saw a large number of talented players from North Wales and over the border attend, it was great to meet all of these players and introduce them to our club. These months also provided fixtures away at Burnley for U9-12s and our U8s first fixture as TNS players against local side, Oswestry Boys and Girls’ Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August and September brought us the start of our new FAW season, with fixtures against the Northern Academies, as well as a great opportunity to play in a festival at West Bromwich Albion.

Hosted by West Brom, our U8-11s played the hosts, Birmingham City, Solihull Moors and Kidderminster Harriers. These games were all challenging in different ways and saw our players solve problems creatively, it was a great day and we’d like to thank West Brom for hosting.

To finish the year, our players finished their first round of fixtures against the FAW Academies and these fixtures are always great with players playing against friends at local clubs, different styles of play and in formats that provides maximum touches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October brought us the Swans Sixes Tournament for U8-12s at Swansea’s Landore, which was a great opportunity with players looking to compete to be the best. On the day, our U9s and U11s came out winners after a long day of festivals which was great to see. The U8s, U10s and U12s all played fantastic football, but on the day it wasn’t meant to be.

These days provided great memories for players regardless of results, with some players staying down the evening before and meeting each other too.

Finally, December was our first FAW Academi Foundation Phase Futsal event at Bangor which was great to be a part of. Incredibly quick football and minimal exits of play meant a lot of great football was played, and our players worked incredibly hard to show their ability and bravery in tight situations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were very proud of the boys and the football they played. To finish, we had our Christmas parties, which started with a festive mixed age tournament between our U8/9s, followed by our U10/11s.

The games were great fun and still very competitive! Following these games, all players and staff came upstairs together for their meal in their Christmas attire, we all had a laugh and lots of fun with the Christmas music on, finishing the year on a high!

To finish, we’d like to thank every player and parent who have been a part of the phase and the Academy this year and personally I’d like to say thank you to all of the staff that have worked within the phase also.

The dedication and commitment to our programme from all involved doesn’t go unnoticed and we’re very proud to have such fantastic people within the club. 2023 was a great year for the phase, allowing even more opportunities for players and I know that 2024 will be even better!

Happy New Year!