The Bradford City Academy has again demonstrated its ability to offer opportunities to promising young footballers on the back of open trials held at the academy’s Apperley Bridge HQ.
The trials, hosted over the May Bank Holiday week, were a huge success and resulted in 48 players – aged from under-6 to under-15 - being invited to train with the development centre group from the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
On top of these recruits, a further three players were invited to train with the academy, and will remain within the club’s ranks until the beginning of next season.
The academy - based at Woodhouse Grove School - but also operating from Ben Rhydding Sports Club, Southfield Grange School, Powerleague in Seacroft and Dewsbury Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium – has also utilised the Northern Commercials Stadium to deliver an emerging talent festival.
The festival, aimed at identifying and developing young footballing talent, was a huge success, with over 250 young footballers being handed the opportunity to showcase their skills on the Valley Parade turf.
Speaking on the festival, Luke Robinson, organiser and academy Lead Foundation Phase Coach said: “The festival was a great opportunity, not just for our players, but for players and coaches from local grassroots teams to showcase their skills at Valley Parade.
“It was great to see and brought players together from all over West Yorkshire.
“I look forward to hosting more of these festivals in the future, giving opportunities to young talent around the city.”
Plans for another talent festival towards the end of this season are in place within the academy where a mix of academy teams, development centre teams and grassroot teams will compete against each other at the club’s Woodhouse Grove training base.
Any teams interested in partaking within this festival can contact the following for more information:
Luke Robinson (for age groups U7-U11): luke.robinson@bradfordcityfc.co.uk
Ryan Farrell (for age groups U12-U14): ryan.farrell@bradfordcityfc.co.uk
Bradford City Academy has an open-door policy keen on building upon existing partnerships and open to create new partnerships with like-minded associates.