Youth set-up to expand ahead of new season at Leicester Road
LEICESTER Road FC’s Academy Development set up is expanding for the 2017/18 season to incorporate an Under 13s team for the first time.
Consequently, the Hinckley-based club, which has a successful policy of promoting home-grown youngsters through the age groups and into the senior first team, is hosting open trials throughout the close season in preparation for a first Under 13 campaign in the highly competitive Midland Junior Premier League that plays on Saturday mornings.
The Under 13 training sessions will run on Tuesday and Friday evenings, 6.30pm to 8pm, at the Leicester Road stadium which has adjacent two full-size grass pitches and mini pitches for both the junior and youth squads.
Steve Ward, head of academy recruitment at LRFC, said: “Our reputation has already attracted some really promising young Under 13 footballers, which is great to see, but we do need more numbers and strength in depth, so we’re looking for any aspiring players wanting to make the step up and be part of a more professional set up that really fosters learning, challenges, development and enjoyment.
“Some Hinckley and surrounding area Sunday teams and schools have already sent us players, but we’ve also had a few from Nuneaton, Coventry and the western side of Leicester, so the message is thankfully getting through that we can offer one of the best pathways for local lads.
“They’ll still be available to play for their Sunday and school teams, but also able to test themselves against the very best Under 13 players from in and around the West Midlands on a Saturday morning.”
Neil Lyne, head of football at LRFC, added: “It’s increasingly obvious that the younger we can get talented players into our long term development programme the better, so the new Under 13s team is a primary focus for the 2017/18 season.
“We develop each player’s skills and knowledge through a flexible, functional and multi-faceted approach that identifies individual needs and strengths.
“It’s about helping to produce elite players for the future, who will progress through our Under 13, 14, 15 and 16 schoolboy development squads, into our Under 18s youth development team, then up to the senior first team squad or beyond – and our model has been proven to work and properly takes in all technical, physical, psychological and social aspects.
“Leicester Road FC is also proud to have been awarded the FA Charter Standard, which is a clear demonstration to all players, parents, sponsors and the public that the club has FA qualified coaches as standard, prioritises child welfare, adheres to FA Respect Policies and Codes of Conduct, maintains appropriate levels of discipline and is well organized, safe and offers opportunities for all.”
Parents of those interested in attending the next Under 13 training sessions are requested to email stephen.ward@lr-fc.co.uk with their son’s name, address and contact details.
LRFC can then monitor the amount of players interested and set up additional sessions should the volume demand it.