NEWS - APRIL: ACADEMY SQUADS CONTINUE WITH THE HARD WORK

While April is the month for most players to start preparing for a couple of months holiday. The spring period is an opportunity for the FDS coaches and players to have a good look at a number of different areas of the elite programme and how we can use this time valuably.

Following the Easter Open Tour a number of development centre players have made excellent claims for a promotion to the Academy and following the trip the older players provided excellent competition for the U10 Academy. The post tour match proved that the players learn much while away and the post tour get together further enhanced any learning.

The U10 squad continue to perform well on the pitch with sound understanding and technical ability providing the team with good consistency in their play. Moving forward for this squad the need to challenge them becomes very important. With the Norhalne Cup just around the cornor and a first look at the 11 aside game, plus with the imputus of fresh blood to the squad with the formation of next seasons 11/12's squad, resting on their laurels is not an option for the current players in the squad.

The U12's having made significant strides in their performance in the Midland Junior Premier League and can look forward to regroupig for next season. Additions to the squad for the U13's means they can look forward to the exciting prospect of finding a formula that works in helping the players achieve their potential next year. Following a number of the squad visiting the Norhale Cup, attentions have already turned to gettig the players working hard on their individual development. With better whether around the cornor and greater day light, the spring is a perfect time for players to work on weaknesses and tehnical work. Reinforcing the value of the boys homework and emphasising the 10,000 hours of practice to be a top performer rings true in much of the work this group will be undertaking. It has been particularly pleasing that a number of players have attracted interest from Academies, especially in the light of the boys joining our Acaedemy without having the considerable grounding our younger players are currently enjoying.

The U9's have made massive strides in their play and understanding of the elite game. With technical work at the heart of all sessions it has been pleasing to see this developing with a growing knowledge of team shape and a sound tactical understanding. The players are also gaining greater success in how they are playing with better understanding and confidence, playing out from the back and having the boys backing their ability all over the pitch is seeing some excellent football, which can only be acheived by standing firm on the belief of developing technical players above, that of results and at times effective performances. Recent matches against Histon and JSSI have provided some of the best football the squad have played this year and with the test of the Norhalne Cup in the near furture, this group have a great challenge to test thair ability further.

Next seasons U9 squad is coming together, with a fantastic basis of the squad in place. These boys have been lucky enough to have been working with the current U9 players over the past couple of months, and have impressed the coaching staff with how they have taken on the infomation given to them.

The foundation for the massive strides the Academy has made over the past year is very much based on the growing success of the Development Centres and as success provides its own pressures the staff of FDS will be looking to provide a highly challenging and progressive programme for this level moving forward.