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Academy will help nurture the next crop of football stars
A new local youth football academy is due to kick off next month.
The Football Focus Academy (FFA) will be available to 12-17 year old players, who are recommended by FA Qualified coaches, local talent scouts, junior clubs, other academy groups, school teachers,youth support organisations or youth workers around the city.
Successful participants will be put through their paces by becoming involved in age related FA standard coaching sessions, Home & away tournaments, Skills competitions, Soccer schools, Fitness & agility tests & regular group matches. There will also be regular scouting visits by scouts during the academies duration of 12.
There are six 'official' trial days planned during August,where youth players can come along to chat & take part in matches.
After the trials, four age related sessions will take place every week from the Fearnville base where players demonstrating special football ability can gain trials at professional league clubs or gain contact with local junior league clubs.
The academy is the brainchild of football coach Rod Christopher.
"I've been planning to put this type of academy together for quite some time now & at last the beginning is in sight! I'd really like to see even one local young player succeed into a pro club or academy, and I fully intend to do everything in my power to help outstanding local talent shine through," said Rod.
"I witness lots of talent Harehills, Gipton & Oakwood while coaching youngsters in the area,but i also believe that a drawback lies in some of the players on pitch attitude. Too many times, it's not that they're not talented, but maybe some need a little more guidance & better role models. I offer myself as that role model.
Rod added: "To find & pass on one single gem among the groups would obviously make the whole set up worthwhile in the long term. My main aim here is to work very closely the selected boys & try to help them reach their full potential as sportsmen and as young adults within society.
"We'll also be holding regular football education sessions,which will also help the guys on and off the field,so hopefully the future looks brighter in for our next generation of Beckhams,Owens and Rooneys."
Trial dates at Fearnville are as follows: Thursday, August 16 (6-9pm), Friday, August 17 (6-9pm), Monday, August 20 (12-4pm) ,Tuesday, August 21 (12-4pm), Thursday, August 23 (6-9pm), Friday, August 24 (6-9pm).
Players invited to join the full academy are required to pay a weekly subscription of 2 per session.
* To find out more, or to recommend a player for the trial days, please contact Rod Christopher on 07813 355763 or email: rodchristopher@hotmail.co.uk
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Monday 21 May 2012
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