Academy goes from strength to strength

The club’s academy continues to go from strength to strength as a hugely successful season draws to a close.

At Under-16 level, our newly formed side did themselves proud under the guidance of Alan Cripps, narrowly missing out on a quarter-final, by goal difference.

Ian Wozencroft’s Under-14’s progressed to the Welsh Cup semi-final and narrowly lost 2-0 to Cambrian & Clydach, whilst the Under-12’s, coached by David Davies, also lost out to Cambrian & Clydach in their quarter-final.

The Under-19’s play their final game this Sunday at home to Haverfordwest County in what has been a mixed season.

The loss of key players midway through the campaign took its toll as Jake Parry went to play in Australia, Josh Pike to play in Sweden and Alex Williams who went into the Army, whilst a number of senior youth players went to play senior football in the Welsh League to further their development.

Head of Development and Under-19’s manager Mark Pike took the positives from the season. “It has allowed us to promote and develop some of our 16-year-old players and chuck them straight into the mix,” explained Pike. “To be honest, they been brilliant and very patient. We’re probably looking to finish third in the league but we could still get runners-up spot, not forgetting losing in the last eight of the Welsh Cup to Swansea City and then narrowly losing at the same stage of the League Cup to West End.”

“In all a great season again and the development of our young crop continues and gets stronger each year. To cap it all off, on a personal level, I was also asked to manage the Welsh Under-18 Semi-Pro squad and have since been given a two-year contract.”

Under-14 call-ups for Academy youngsters

Five players have been selected to represent South Wales Under-14 academy at the forthcoming Cymru Cup next month.

The FAW’s newly-built Dragon Park facility in Newport will host the event on 27 and 28 May, consisting of the best selected Welsh players from North, Mid and South Wales regions.

Issac Thomas, Jack Hurley, Jordan Pike, William Thyler and Harrison Courtney have all been selected.

“This is the first time in three years we have had players selected from our academy to play at the Cymru Cup and it’s the result of the continued hard work from all concerned including team manager Ian Wozencroft,” said Mark Pike.

“Unfortunately Issac Thomas is unable to make the trip due to school commitments and Jack Hurley is also unavailable due to his involvement with Boys and Girls club football.

Everyone at Port Talbot Town would like to congratulate Issac, Jack, Jordan, William and Harrison on being called up.

Club junior fun-day announced!

The club’s junior section are delighted to announce that they will be holding this year’s annual Mini-Football fun day on July 20th 2013.

Applications can be downloaded from this link, with full details and rules listed below, so get involved and sign up for what should prove to be another great day of football fun! If you have any enquires please contact Gary Dawkins on 07791 877 314.

PLEASE NOTE AGE GROUPS ARE BASED ON THIS SEASONS AGES 2012/2013
• Age groups – Under 8`s, 9`s, 10`s and under 11`s based on ages in 2012/2013 season
• Maximum of ten player in each team 6-a-side fixtures for U8`S, U9`s and U10`s and 7 aside for U11`s with rolling substitutes for all ages Non-competitive round robin basis- Players ages based on 2012/2013 season
• Football rules as stated in the port Talbot League handbook
• Initially only one team per age group, but please let me know if you want to enter more as I will try to fit them in subject to space
• There will be Memento presented for each player taking part
• Registration starts at 09:30am; matches start promptly at 10.30am for all ages Rules (full details provided on day)
• Matches 10 minutes with no half-time
• Coaches may be requested to help with refereeing matches in their age group which their team are not involved in, details to be provided on the day.
• Bad language / aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated, this is a fun day
• Alcohol will not be allowed on the premises
• NO dogs allowed within the school grounds

Mark Pike praised following Welsh semi-pro invitation

Academy secretary Gary Dawkins has praised Head of Development Mark Pike after he was recently invited to manage the Welsh semi-pro Under-19 side later this month.

Pike received the call from the FAW to take charge of the forthcoming match against Ireland in Bangor and Dawkins believes the recognition is well deserved.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for Mark, I’ve worked at the club alongside him at the club for many years and know how much effort and commitment he’ll give,” he said.

“This is great news not only for Mark but for the club as a whole as it puts us on the map again for all the right reasons.

“I would personally like to wish him well and the good luck, as do all the academy and development players, coaches and staff.”

New coats for Under-10’s

The Under-10′s with their new sponsored coats.

Our Under-10’s side will be avoiding the winter chill in training and on matchdays thanks to Payton Jewell & Caines Ltd.

The Port Talbot branch of the Estate Agents’ kindly sponsored the youngsters, supplying the squad with Macron coats.

Coaches Darren Gardner and Lee East wish to thank Payton Jewell & Caines for their support on behalf of the club and the Under-10 team.

Academy boss Pike pleased with start and praises supporters

The club’s Head of Development, Mark Pike has spoken to the official club site and revealed he is pleased with how the academy have begun the season and singled out the club’s fans for their recent support.

Our young guns in the academy kicked-off the new season last weekend against Llanelli and this weekend at home to Haverfordwest County.

The Under-12’s have started their campaign with an unbeaten run to date, whilst the Under-14′s have had a loss and a win. The Under-16′s, which is a new team, have had very close encounters but have had losses to date.

Whilst the academy is not about results but a focus to developing the young generation, for what I seen to date has been absolutely superb. A fully functional academy gives the club security in terms of developing our future. These young guns are certainly the clubs future and I am sure many will make their senior debuts in the coming years so long as the focus is on development and teaching these young guns the techniques of the game will only see us develop first team footballers one day.

Meanwhile, the under 19′s have also gone unbeaten with to date and a great win over Barry Town in the Welsh Cup in midweek is just an indication the academy in its entirety is very strong and we are now seeing the benefits flourishing through. I don’t think it will be too long before we start seeing the young generation of local footballers break through and remain first-team footballers for a long time.

I am very encouraged for what I have seen and there is so much talent in our set up it’s just unbelievable. It’s important we look after the young generation and make this an academy an enjoyable experience that every player locally and out of locality wants to play for. With educated and qualified coaches i am very sure we will achieve our goal this year. The FAW was present at last weekend’s game, as part of the audit criteria they were here unannounced auditing the games programme and to be commended by them for our set up, coaches, players and parents conduct was superb and just proves we are a very strong & committed academy on and off the field, long may this continue.

I would also like to thank the supporters who usually turn out in numbers for the first-team, for getting behind the lads recently. Our next game is against Aberdare Town and a repeat of that level of support would greatly help our team.

Academy set for new season

Head of Development Mark Pike gives us the run down on changes made throughout the club’s blossoming academy structure ahead of the new season.

“Over the summer months we have been busy shaking up the academy and developing a very young Under-19 squad,” Pike explains.

“With my A licence now complete pending an assessment later in the year, I am hoping to be more freely able to dedicate greater time to develop players and support our coaches.

“The structure of the academy is now in line with UEFA/FAW criteria with an intense admin structure now already developed. This season, David Davies will take control of our Under-12’s supported by Jeff Bailey and Ashley Davies which will also see many new young lads to the clubs academy. The Under-14′s will be headed by Ian Wozencroft supported by Nigel Jordan, who will also oversee the Development of our Under-13′s, with the head coach of the Under-16’s side to be announced shortly.

“Our goalkeeping coach will now be Luke Martin, who is currently in the process of obtaining his Goalkeeping C badge, whilst administration of the club’s academy will again be headed by Gary Dawkins and supported by myself and Eddie Philips will continue to oversee our child protection policy. I personally wish all players and staff all the very best for the season which starts on the 9th September.”

Junior coaching opportunities for new season

The club are looking for additional coaches for the new season in the following age groups: Under-5’s, Under-6’s and Under-7’s.

Relevant coaching qualifications will be provided, to discuss further please contact Gary Dawkins on 07791 877314

Academy complete successful season with presentation

The club held its 11th annual presentation last weekend, with over 200 people packing out the Seaside Social labour club.

“Players, coaches and parents all supported the event which ran exceptionally well,” said academy director Mark Pike.

“When I took control of the academy two years ago, I said that we would bring all players together at least once each year to celebrate the season, this is now the second year running that we have brought everyone together and it’s been a huge success once again.”

All players who represented the Port Talbot Town academy were issued loyalty medals, with Richard Gunney from the FAW presenting the awards.

The season has been a huge success, with young players playing a year above themselves, players representing the Boys and Girls club, national colleges at U18 & u19 and players representing FAW semi-pro squad – all fantastic individual awards. And the evening was concluded with the Under-19 side being presented with their runners up medals which again is fantastic achievement.

Under-19 progression
Some of the Under-19 squad, who’ve now become too old, will graduate to the first-team squad during pre- season (Aaron Biddescombe, Sam France, Roberto Freitas), while Chris Silva moves onto Reading University. Mathew Isles who despite being still eligible for youth team, is also departing, having received an amazing scholarship in the USA. We wish all players all the very best and they will be missed around the training ground and matches.

“I have to thank all players and coaches for their effort this year, its been another amazing year, not forgetting the hard work of Gary Dawkins, Neil Jones and Eddie Phillips who been my back room staff all season – A mammoth effort from all.”

“During the off-season, myself and Lee John will finish the A licence course this coming week where we will be away for a week in Cardiff to finish final modules and later in the new season will be assessed on what we have learnt. Then its back to finalising the new season with the staff ahead of pre season which will likely start for the academy early August,” Pike concluded.

Congratulations to all of the following:

U12 Players player of the year = Elliot Volkaerts
U12 Player of the year = Jonathon Davies
U12 Most improved player of the year = Ben Wright

U13 Players player of the year = Max Knight
U13 Player of the year = Isaac Thomas
U13 Most improved player of the year = Jack Hopkins

U14 Players player of the year = Dylan Jones
U14 Player of the year = Sam Davies
U14 Most improved player of the year = Callum Jones

U16 Players player of the year = Lloyd Jones
U16 Player of the year = Lloyd Jones
U16 Most improved player of the year = Jack Dowle

U19 Players player of the year = Sam France
U19 Player of the year = Chris Silva

U14′s boys club caps
Rhys Austin
Ben Stevens

U16′s boys club caps
Ryan John
Michael Whetton
Tom Barber
Connor McFenton

National Welsh colleges U18 and U19 caps
Luke Martin

FAW Welsh Cap Semi-Pro U18
Ryan Morgan
Curtis Hutson

Junior fun day details announced

The club can confirm that it will be holding its annual Mini-Football fun day at Tywyn Primary School on Saturday 30th June.

The club’s junior secretary Gary Dawkins, who is once again coordinating the event, has urged those interested to make their applications as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, with there being limited availability.

Teams right through from Under-7′s to Under-11′s are eligible to enter.

Entry forms can be downloaded by clicking here - if you have any queries, please contact Gary Dawkins on 07791 877314.

Good luck!!