New talent structure put in place
running coaching sessions twice a week.Jordan KnightThe AFC Wimbledon Academy has launched a new goalkeeping development centre with 18-year-old
at the forefront and now the academy are looking to establish a way of discovering young goalkeepers from the ages of nine to 14.Ashley BayesWimbledon put a new goalkeeping structure in place during the summer with full-time coach
and Ashley on his coaching development.Andy LittleJordan, who has been with AFC Wimbledon since the age of eight and is currently a goalkeeper for the Under-18s/College Academy, has been working with Dons favourite
As well as being an AFC Wimbledon supporter and long-serving academy player, Jordan has started his coaching badges and has been coaching since the age of 15.
says that the new coaching set-up and Jordan’s new role in the process fits in well with the philosophy of the AFC Wimbledon Academy.Jeremy Sauer, Academy Operations Manager Dons PlayerDuring an in-depth interview for
Jeremy (pictured above left with Jordan) said: “We have been trying for the last few months to increase our way of identifying young talent so we set-up three development centres for outfield players (from Under-7s to Under-10s). We have also been looking at goalkeeping coaching and I sat down recently with Andy Little (Academy Goalkeeping Coach) to discuss the way forward. Andy has been working over the last few years with Jordan and it makes sense for Jordan to help us set-up a goalkeeping development centre. We will review the goalkeepers after a block of coaching sessions and Jordan will try and push them towards trials for the academy.
“We are trying to increase our chances of bringing goalkeepers through and Jordan fits in well with the philosophy of the academy. This is a really good way of integrating Jordan into our coaching system while he continues his own playing career. The philosophy of the academy is to try and identify home-grown and hungry players who understand the culture and identity of AFC Wimbledon. Jordan has come right through the youth system at the club and has been a season ticket holder for many years. He can therefore help young goalkeepers coming through to understand what the club is all about. We are supporting Jordan in doing his badges and he is already talking about taking Andy Little’s job in years to come!”
Jordan said: “This is a great opportunity for me because I get to train with the first-team every day and continue my coaching education. The way that ‘Bayzo’ runs his coaching sessions has been an eye-opener. His sessions are so well structured and he is so positive. He is always encouraging you all the time and I have been trying to take his approach into my own coaching. Until this season it was hard for us to get coaching during the week. We were doing one or two goalkeeping sessions with Andy in the evenings, but now we are getting six goalkeeping sessions a week.”
for more details and to view our section on the official website, which includes information about the centres for outfield players.Development Centres -The new development centre for goalkeepers (Under-9s to Under-14s) is based at Goals in North Cheam and runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6.00 pm until 7.00 pm. Click on
-Dons Player subscribers can now watch the full interview with Jordan and Jeremy, who also provides an update AFC Wimbledon’s final push to be granted academy three status under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).