|
Boost
for youth football as city clubs merge
After
a combined 17 years successfully developing youth
football, two of Worcester’s most prestigious
clubs are merging to create a new club – AFC
Worcester Olympic.
In
the new structure, Warndon Villages FC (WVFC) will
continue to develop youth football at all ages but
its elite Saturday teams for 2011/12 will merge with
Worcester City Youth Development Football Club (WCYFDC).
WCYFDC
will run Saturday football for boys from U12 upwards
in the Midland Junior Premier League under the new
name of AFC Worcester Olympic.
Going
forward, the new club will be formally underpinned
by the children and coaches of WVFC both in
developing youngsters via mini soccer and running
parallel teams on a Sunday at all of the same age
groups.
Formed
in 2001, WVFC run more than 20 boys and girls teams
from ages four to 18 and were the first club in the
city to be awarded FA Charter Standard Community
Club status.
For
the past seven years, WCYFDC have operated under the
badge of Worcester City FC and they have just
achieved Charter Standard. In 2010, they fielded six
teams in the Midland Junior Premier League and some
players have been signed by professional club
academies including Aston Villa, Birmingham City and
West Bromwich Albion.
With
a new youth structure in place at St George’s
Lane, officials at WCYFDC needed a new identity and
change of direction.
Brian
Nyatanga, AFC Worcester Olympic chairman, said:
“This is a perfect match in terms of our
philosophy for youth football. This merger is
supported by parents, coaches, managers and the
Worcestershire FA, who have given us the green light
to push ahead for Charter Standard Development Club
status.”
WVFC
chairman Andy White added: “When we met WCYFDC
officials, we realised the close similarity in
approaches and values as well as the complementary
fit of the elite teams. Creating something better
than the two parts seemed an obvious move. WVFC will
probably field 25 teams next year excluding the
planned elite ones.”
Trial
dates for the new U12, U13 and U14 sides are planned
for May 14 and 21 at Little Perdiswell. All other
age groups will be holding their trials at Bilford
Road in Worcester. The U15 age group is holding open
training sessions on Monday nights from 6.30pm to
8pm and U16 trial dates are June 11, 18 and 25 from
10.30am to 12.30pm. U17 and U18 dates are to be
confirmed.
For
more details, call Kay Walters on 07889 221803 or
Pat Elliott on 01905 756541 or visit http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/warndonvillagesfc/
For
more details, contact Andy White on 07793
774521 or Brian Nyatanga on 01905 855381.
Alternatively,
call Teresa Green of Chris Green Media on 01905
453908/07985 322142 or email teresa@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk
The
photo is of Andy White and Brian Nyatanga.
|
