TOWN LAUNCH GIRLS’ ACADEMY
CARMARTHEN Town are branching out into girls’ and women’s football.
The club are launching an academy for girls from under-8 level to under-16s, with the aim of developing a senior ladies’ side the following season.
Academy manager Huw Evans said: “Carmarthen Town Academy want to give girls every opportunity to climb the football ladder and to have a good option of senior football once they finish their journey on the junior pathway.
“They’ll train like professionals, play at the highest standard on the top-quality surface of Richmond Park.
“Trial dates have been set and it is hoped that we can arrange fixtures against quality teams from all over Wales or the UK.”
Trials will be held on Friday, September 14, for all age groups.
For under-10s and under-12s the session is from 6-7pm, with the under-14s and under-16s on the field from 7.15-8.30pm.
The aim is that the academy will run alongside existing clubs, so players can still represent sides at local level.
“It will be a centre set up to produce as many higher calibre players from the already strong and ever growing grassroots base,” added Evans. “It is designed not only for those who we strongly believe have the potential to break through into a higher level of the game, but also to give more girls the development opportunities with the end aim of a Carmarthen Town women’s team.
“Players who enter the centre will still play grassroots football. Every effort will be made to ensure the academy does not conflict with this.
“Grassroots football is a fundamental part of any player’s development. The academy will not interfere with or stop any player from playing grassroots football with their friends at their local club. The academy will be an addition to the grassroots football and will aid development, and not substitute or replace it.
“The academy will be specifically committed to players who want to develop and aspire to progress into senior football.
“We believe the addition of an academy in a club such as Carmarthen Town will offer more players from West Wales another route to a higher standard of football and the opportunity to progress into the senior game.
“Every player will benefit from being a part of the academy, irrespective of whether or not they progress into a professional club.
“Carmarthen Town intend to make the academy a hub known for providing opportunity and producing footballers with the potential to go as far as possible.”