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New challenges ahead for young Trawlerboys

New challenges ahead for young Trawlerboys

Mark Boggis12 Aug 2019 - 17:00
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https://www.lowestofttownfc.co

Newly formed LTFC Centre of Excellence teams prepare for forthcoming campaign

There is a real clear pathway for talented players in the area now
- Head of Scouting at LTFC, Chris Bond

Exciting opportunities are in store for aspiring young footballers as a new partnership prepares for kick off.
Over the past few months Ipswich Town Academy and Lowestoft Town FC have teamed up in partnership to progress a new centre of excellence programme to benefit youth development.
And this new partnership model is aiming to develop the best local players to fulfill their potential at the highest achievable level.
The model - which follows a successful partnership that has been run between Ipswich Town and AFC Sudbury - will see the Lowestoft Town Academy programme running teams in four age groups, ranging from U13 to U16.
Initially, two teams will be representing Lowestoft in the Eastern Junior Alliance (EJA) league this season at U13 and U16 age groups.
Next month, the newly formed U13 side will compete in the EJA GREEN league against the likes of AFC Sudbury, Braintree Town, Haverhill Rovers, Leiston, Needham Market, Stanway Rovers and Stowmarket Town.
The U16 team will also compete in the EJA GREEN league against AFC Sudbury, Bury Town, Felixstowe & Walton, Haverhill Rovers, Needham Market, Newmarket Town, Stowmarket Town, Walsham Le Willows and Wroxham.
Featuring some of the most talented youngsters in the area, the centre of excellence programme for U13-U16 runs under the LTFC banner.
Head of Scouting and Recruitment at Lowestoft, Chris Bond, said: "Its been almost a year in the planning and now we have well over 50 lads signed up for the forthcoming season between U13 to U16 age groups.
"With the link up as well with Sentinel Leisure Trust and the Football Industry College there is a real clear pathway for talented players in the area now - something that this club has not had for a long time."
The youngsters were given their first taste of future action last month as they took to the Crown Meadow pitch alongside some Ipswich Town players.
The U13-U16 teams - who will represent the Ipswich Town centre of excellence in association with Lowestoft as they wear LTFC shirts - were introduced to supporters at Crown Meadow during half time in the pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town U23.
Chris Bond said: "Last season we had U13, U14 and U15 sides training at Lowestoft.
"Over the summer we held a series of open trials to form a brand new U13 team.
"The U15's have moved into U16 league now and we also held an extensive trial process over the summer - with these lads we now going forward into the U16 EJA GREEN league.
"The U13 and U16 teams train on Mondays and Thursday with games on Sundays, and hopefully some will take place at Crown Meadow.
"The U14 and U15 teams train once a week on a Monday, with frequent games in half term and they will still play be able to play with grassroots clubs (on the weekends) before they move up to all be with LTFC the season after."
Scott Mitchell, Head of YDP recruitment at Ipswich, said: "From the outset we have been really excited to start the partnership between the two clubs.
"We already run a successful programme with a similar model at AFC Sudbury to give players in the local area the chance to progress to play at the best level possible.
“Over the past few seasons, using this model of a team in the Eastern Junior Alliance, we have produced numerous academy players - that highlights what can be achieved.
“Players have a great opportunity to make that progression to academy football, and the progression right through the programme has been fantastic - we are hoping Lowestoft will be equally beneficial."
Mitchell added: "I attended a number of trial games and I was really impressed with the standards."
Bond said: "From our point of view it provides the link, which is great for us if some of the lads go on to progress into the academy or into the first team at Lowestoft.
"This area has not been tapped into for a long time."

Among the players who will be involved at the younger age groups this season are:
Central midfielder Kyle French, 15, from Lowestoft.
Having joined the club this year, having previously played for Waveney beforehand, the Benjamin Britten Music Academy youngster said he was looking forward to being "part of this project" in the U16 cohort.
He said: "I will be playing at U16 level this coming season in the EJA and while it will be a big challenge for us, it is one we are looking forward to."
Defender Marley Reynolds, who is almost 12, lives in Norwich.
He said: "We were approached at a tournament and asked to attend a trial a couple of months ago and I'm now part of the U13 team in the EJA.
"I know most of the boys and while it will be a big step up, we have a really good set up and I am just looking forward to playing at a good level."
Defender Thomas Crowley, from Lowestoft, attends East Point Academy.
The 14-year-old has been with Lowestoft for just over a year and he will be training once a week in the U15 side, while still getting the chance to play at weekends with his grassroots side.
Admitting he really enjoyed "meeting others" and learning from the coaches, he said his favourite LTFC player was Travis Cole.

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