Preston North End Community and Education Trust is set to run a North West Talent Hub alongside the FA, providing playing opportunities for players aged seven to 16-year-olds who are living with a hearing or visual impairment or cerebral palsy.
The FA Talent Hub project operates nationally, giving players the chance to progress along the elite FA Para Football Talent Pathway. The Talent Hub provides a clear pathway into the England Para Football squads and the FA Para Football Talent Pathway
The Talent Hub offers bespoke training days that allow players the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to their coaches and progress to the next phase of the elite talent pathway; the Regional Emerging Talent Programme.
Training days offered by the North West Talent Hub will focus on players’ individual development, in line with the FA Technical Framework, and complement players’ existing training schedules with their current clubs.
The Trust will host an information session for those interested in joining the FA Talent Hub programme, with ten sessions to be delivered between May and August 2021.
Two virtual events will take place for interested players, with a presentation and short skill sessions to be delivered from 10.30am until 12 noon on both Saturday 24th April and Saturday 1st May.
A trial date will be confirmed following the information evenings. BSL [British Sign Language] support will be provided for players as much as possible across both online and face-to-face events.
Players can sign-up by clicking here.
Community Engagement Co-ordinator Alistair White said: “We are excited to begin the running of the North West Talent Hub to provide playing opportunities for disability players in Preston and the surrounding areas.
“We are continuously striving to help people achieve their goals and with the wealth of opportunities that the FA Talent Hub can provide, including the chance to progress on to international football, we believe this partnership can provide endless benefits for both our existing and new participants.”
“The Talent Hub will give disability players additional opportunities to play and enjoy football on a frequent basis, as well as giving players a chance to progress and showcase their talent on a greater stage, while remaining with their current team.
“It is important for us to provide playing opportunities for those who are living with disabilities and work with the FA to support their vision to develop winning England teams.
“We can’t wait for the sessions to get started and look forward to potentially unearthing some of the stars of the future!”
For more information about the North West Talent Hub, please contact alistair.white@pne.com.