Preston North End Community and Education Trust is to work in partnership with the club’s Academy to relaunch the Development Centre programme.
The Development Centre programme will see talented young footballers invited to take part in weekly sessions to have their progress monitored by fully qualified coaches.
Staff from PNECET and the Academy will work together to progress those who impress within the Development Centre programme to move into the Academy set-up.
Participants will be reviewed on a termly basis to align with the review of players in the Preston North End Pre-Academy and Academy set-ups.
The partnership will also allow PNECET staff to signpost talented players from across its community provision to the Development Centre programme where their development can be accelerated.
The Development Centre programme will operate on an invitation-only basis, with children unfortunately not able to turn up and play at this session.
All staff working on the Development Centre programme are fully qualified and DBS checked, all possessing at least an FA Level 2 Coaching in Football Award.
Secondary Education Tutor Darryl McNicholl, who will lead on the Development Centre provision, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with the Academy to help them identify the most talented young players accessing our community provision and potentially signpost them through to the club’s professional youth set-up.
“Our coaches are passionate, enthusiastic and driven to support all of the young people who access our provision to maximise their potential and help them achieve their goals.”
Finn O’Leary, lead Pre-Academy Coach, added: ‘’We are excited to work closely with PNECET on the re-opening of the Development Centre.
‘’We look forward to the Development Centre becoming an integral part of the club once again and providing an outstanding pathway for local players to progress into the Academy.’’
The Development Centre programme will run every Tuesday at UCLan Sports Arena from 16th November, with sessions for U6s to U8s from 5pm until 6pm, and sessions for U9s, U10s and U11s from 6pm until 7.30pm.
The Development Centre programme will run for male players only.
There is currently an open invitation available at U7 level on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limited number of places available by contacting darryl@pne.com.
Female players interested in playing for Preston North End at junior level, or indeed open age level, can complete our online expression of interest form here [link] and a coach from your requested age group will be in touch thereafter to discuss your submission.
Details of talented female players can also be shared with the Trust for the potential to be signposted to the England Talent Pathway. PNECET can nominate junior female players to attend regional Elite Talent Pathway events where those participating will be monitored and can potentially be signposted into the England Junior set-up.
For more information about the Development Centre programme, please contact darryl@pne.com, or for the girls’ talent pathway scheme, email sagwati.malabi@pne.com.