Colchester United’s commitment to developing young footballers continues with our Development Centres contributing to the development and success of a significant number of players progressing into academy football and beyond.
The Development Centre is an invitation only programme where players are identified, nurtured and developed within the first tier of our Talent Identification Programme. To ensure that development and progression of players needs are met on an individual basis, the employment of two full time members of staff with the responsibility of overseeing the Developmental and Operational needs of the Foundation and Youth Phase respectively was implemented during August 2016. Our Development Centre Squads participate in the South Eastern Development Centre Games Programme with regular fixtures against the likes the Norwich City, Luton Town, MK Dons, Peterborough and Cambridge amongst others.
Our most recent success story is teenage defender Ollie Kensdale who started with the club’s football in the community 14 years ago. Ollie joined the U’s Development Centres aged seven and advanced through the club's academy before progressing into first team football. Colchester United Community Foundation has supported and contributed to the progression of 130 players into our academy or within other Category 1 or 2 academies since 2005. 32% of the current academy registered players have progressed through our development centre programme and it has proven a successful route by which Colchester United have identified promising young talent.
Are you a talented young footballer who would like the opportunity to develop further within the successful Colchester United Development Centre?
Would you benefit from the following?
• Weekly training sessions at Colchester & Maldon based centres with UEFA qualified coaches, many of whom also work within in the clubs' Academy environment
• Regular fixtures against other top professional clubs such as Norwich City and Ipswich Town during school holidays
• Opportunity to progress into the Elite and Academy programme should if deemed to be at the required standard
• Fixtures against Colchester United elite and academy teams to monitor players’ progress
To find out more about upcoming trials in our Development Centre, please contact Joe.Hart@colchesterunited.net