Brothers Aston Villa Football Club will host its inaugural Football Academy program for junior soccer players of all skill levels, kicking off on March 2.
The academy is the brainchild of Dylan Cairney, the club’s Director of Coaching for players 10 years and older and is open to players aged from under-8 to under-13, including those who have never laced on a football boot.
Dylan said the club hoped the academy program, which will be conducted on Tuesday afternoons, would contribute to the development of the code throughout the region by improving the skills of players in all age groups.
“It’s about developing younger players who are new to the game, but also helping more experienced players by giving them the right training,” he said.
“We’re welcoming players from all clubs but (participants) don’t even need to have played football.
“If they just want to see how they go, they can join the academy first before they get involved in football.”
Dylan, who will be assisted by fellow Brothers Aston Villa coach Casey Smith, said the academy sessions would focus on developing participants’ skills in four key areas – first touch, running with the ball, one on one, and striking the ball.
Academy sessions will be conducted for players in the under-8 to under-10 age bracket from 4.15pm-5.30pm, and for under-11 to under-13 participants from 5.45pm-7pm at the Brothers Sports Club training grounds.
Having initially pitched the academy idea to his club committee and been given the green light to go ahead, Dylan said he was excited as the first session drew nearer.
The cost to participate in the program, which will continue until August 24 (excluding school holidays), is $120 for Brothers registered players and $150 for all other participants.
Brothers Aston Villa, who adopted the English Premier League outfit’s name with permission of the Birmingham-based outfit in 1969, is conducting its club sign-on at the Brothers training fields today from 9am-midday.
For more information about the skills academy phone Dylan on 0455 449 697 or email doc@bavfootball.org.au or president@bavfootball.org.au
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