Calling all young footballers
AFC Wimbledon has launched a talent search for the best young footballers around to join its pre-academy for Under-7s and Under-8s.
A trials day aims to identify the most talented and motivated players, who will be invited to attend the academy’s ELITE groups for players of the above ages. Alternatively, new recruits may be asked to join the development centres, which is the first rung of the ladder in the club’s academy set-up.
The academy is on the look-out for talented primary school boys in both year two (Under-7s) and year three (Under-8s) to join the programme.
ELITE groups prepare players for the first season of academy football at Under-9s in an environment where players train three times a week under the tutelage of UEFA standard coaches. They also represent AFC Wimbledon against other professional clubs every weekend to boost their development.
An example of the academy’s philosophy of producing “Home-grown and hungry” footballers has been shown recently with Ben Harrison having progressed to Wimbledon’s first-team after joining the club when he was just 10.
“This is a great opportunity for the best local talent to join a professional club programme and get the benefit of top-quality coaching with the chance to progress towards Academy football.” Academy Manager Jeremy Sauer said:
The trials day will be held on Friday, 31 October 2014, between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm at a local venue. You can apply for a place by e-mailing: TalentID@afcwimbledon.ltd.ukwith a brief playing history for your son. Full details will be confirmed to you by e-mail if the application is accepted.