Academy Manager Michael Hamilton brings us up to speed as we enter the latter stage of the year - with an inspirational speech from Morgan Williams taking centre stage.
One of our core values as an Academy is ‘attachment’ and to ensure our development programme consists of events that build the players attachment and connection to the Club, we recently had members of the Under 18s squad out supporting the Dons Local Action Group.
As well as building an affiliation to the Club, it has many developmental outcomes for the players as for some this is well outside their comfort zone.
Pictured: Mathias Tepe, Junior Nkeng and Sean Sankanu.
Regional Emerging Talent Event
The FA recently held a Regional Emerging Talent day at Brentford with the purpose being to specifically assess recommended players currently at Category 3 and 4 academies, born in 2009, ahead of potential international recognition.
We recommended two of our promising players to be assessed by national coaches, with the feedback we received on both players being very positive - a breakdown of their day was:
Event schedule:
10:30 Arrival
10:45 Player and Parent introduction
11:00 Check in
11:30 Training Session 1
13:00 Lunch
13:30 Coach Education activity and Player Game preparation
15:00 Training session 2
16:30 Debrief and depart
*players not named for professional reasons.
Player and Parent Induction
September saw us host our annual Player and Parent Induction, where we not only review how the previous season went but, more importantly, we set out our plans for the new season.
The event is hosted by myself and the Academy Management, however this season we were joined by a very special guest, fresh off making his first start at Stamford Bridge, Morgan Williams.
Morgan shared his journey so far, gave an insight into his development and framed his advice around five key messages.
- Always work harder than everyone else
- The competition doesn’t end
- Stay humble
- Believe in yourself
- Football changes fast
Once a Don, always a Don
Unfortunately at times, we have to say goodbye to good people who significantly contribute to our progress as an Academy. This month we say goodbye to two valued staff members.
Ben Hicham leaves his role as Youth Phase Manager to take up an opportunity to work with FIFA as part of their Global Football Development Projects.
The project is overseen by football legend Arsène Wenger, with the purpose to drive the growth and development of the football for both men and women around the world.
Ben heads over to Africa where he will spearhead the development of football in the country of Mauritania.
After almost a decade with the Academy Hasib Saed unfortunately leaves his part-time role with us to focus on his young family and to build his outside business.
Hasib’s contribution cannot be overstated; he has significantly impacted our progress as an Academy as well as playing a key role in the development of players that have progressed through the pathway.
Hasib was a cultural architect for us. He upheld and represented the Academy values, went above and beyond for his players and made others around him better. ‘Has’ was known by staff for staying behind hours after a game to dissect where we could of been better and it’s a great shame to see him depart us.