Youth Development Pathway Update

JUNIOR Academy Director David Platt writes to colerainefc.com giving an update on the new Youth Development pathway at The Showgrounds…

It’s been a difficult and complicated period that the Youths with Covid and the added responsibility of implementing the recent new structures but I would like to share with you some of the excellent work we have done to date.

The committee, coaches, players and parents should be proud of what’s been achieved in the last few months. 

While there is still work to be done, I feel it is vital that I mention some of the highlights achieved to date by everyone involved. In a very short period of time we have all the children registered to the club, allowing us to already invest in coach education and provide new equipment for each team. We would hope that we can continue to develop even further by joint partnership with the senior club in matters such as coach education and improving facilities.

Through team work every age group now trains twice a week and additionally we now provide appropriate facilities for the Girls/Young Ladies to be incorporated into our training schedule.

Due to the current climate with Covid-19 we recognise the unprecedented challenges HGFL have in trying to cater for all the SSG at the University. We were creative and this created an exciting opportunity to link a partnership with Score Football Centre. When restrictions are lifted and it is safe to play we will soon be starting a 6 a side league every Saturday morning. This will initially cater for 7, 8 & 9 year olds. Going forward we will continue to discuss, develop and expand this league for all our younger age groups.  

It should also be noted that the flexibility and dedication shown by individual teams at our older groups is to be commended. Through dialogue and commitment from everyone involved we now have six teams registered to play in the South Belfast League, this is in addition to a further four teams registered to play in National League.

We are currently working on a new website that will be linked to our live Facebook feed, have a separate coaches area to allow ordering of kits, link to our Twitter and YouTube accounts and will hold all relevant policies which govern the youths.

All we need now is to get the boys and girls playing football on the pitch. 

From the committee in the meantime be patient, stay safe and we will see you all soon. 

Thanks David