REPORT BY JASON BLUNT, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY

Update on the progress of the 16-23 year old players in the new Elite Programme

These are the 13 talented players we have so far selected for this ground-breaking programme:

LIAM ANDREW

YESHI BRIAR

LEWIS CASPALL

BEN CHAPMAN

FINN CROSS

NATHAN GOODSPEED

JOE GIBSON

LOUIS GRAHAM

JOSH OTTO

ADAM ROBATHAN

JOSHUA STOREY

TYLER TONKIN

BYRON WOOD

The group have settled in well, showing a positive attitude, a clear willingness to learn and an ability to absorb all the information and guidance given.
They have been tested in the FA’s “Four Corners” Coaching Development model: physical, technical, social and psychological.

We are at an early stage in their development, but they all have shown signs of rapid improvement in the main area they all need to work on: their technical ability.  But I am convinced, based on the evidence of my coaching experience, that the time and effort they put in will reap the rewards.
This will be a continuing theme across all the youth teams.

The players have been issued with “GPS vests”.  This technological wizardry measures a whole range of the individual’s performance – for example, heart rate, how far they’ve run, the number of high intensity sprints, and how heavy the workload is on the body.  The data we get from this tracking has allowed us to monitor their response to training, assess where they are up to physically, and adapt the training sessions accordingly.

(Nathan Goodspeed, Liam Andrew, Louis Graham, Byron Wood, Finn Cross and Yeshi Briar wearing their new GPS vests)

(Jason Blunt puts the players – and the GPS vests – to the test!)

One of the benefits of this system is it can prevent injuries: so far, we haven’t had any.

In First team pre-season fixtures these players have displayed courage and maturity to take risks when playing a possession-based game. Some of these lads are just 16, and don’t look out of their depth in any way.

⦁ It’s never too late to apply!  The Elite Programme can take up to around 18 players, and we’ll be looking to fill the remaining vacancies selectively over the next three months.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be, I’d be more than happy to be contacted in the first instance on 07985 614692, or by email on jason.blunt@sky.com

⦁ Next week we hope to announce the appointment to two new roles: Physiotherapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Jason Blunt