Clubs & schools across Worcestershire may well have received correspondence from Cheltenham Town Football Club who, in partnership with ‘Elite Development’, are actively promoting a Youth Development Centre that is proposed to open in January 2012.
It is the WFA's understanding that the Centre, which will be based at Pershore High School, is designed to support the development of talented grassroots football players aged U8 to U15 with links to the Cheltenham Town Centre of Excellence where appropriate. The project is very similar to the WFA Boys Player Development Centre that ran previously (2006 – 2010) and the Girls PDC which currently takes place at the University of Worcester.
As you would expect, given the Centre’s location, the WFA has met with the Centre Manager to discuss the project with a view to supporting where possible. During this meeting, given the WFA's experience in running Development Centres, FA guidance and advice was provided. Also, the good practice criteria (Charter Standard Accreditation) was presented and it was explained that should the project wish to attain full endorsement from the County FA that these criteria needed to be met.
The Centre was confident that they could fulfil the Charter Standard Accreditation, something which they have committed to achieving.
Should you have any questions relating to the Centre or for details on how to apply for player trials, please contact Jonathan Henderson (Elite Development Centre Manager) on Tel: 07401 207200 or Email: jonny@elitedc.org
PLEASE NOTE: As mentioned above, the Development Centre are actively working towards fulfilling the Charter Standard criteria, therefore full endorsement has NOT yet been given to the project. However we are happy to publicise this article given the communication and information shared to date, all of which has been positive. Responsibility of the Centre lies solely with Cheltenham Town FC & Elite.