U’s Captain Visits Development Centre vs Academy Game
During the Easter Holidays, the Colchester United Boys Development Centre (BDC) competed in fixtures vs the Colchester United Academy @ Shrub End. BDC Teams at the U13, U14 and U15/16 age group took on Academy teams a year group below in some closely fought matches.
U’s Captain Connor Hall was in attendance to watch the BDC U15/16 vs Academy U13/14 fixture and share some advice with both sets of players at half term.
Connor Hall shared; “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Community Foundation BDC vs Academy game last Thursday. It was good to see the youngsters in action and look at players that could potentially be the next star to come through our club pathway! To be able to give some feedback to the players was a great feeling and I hope that will help towards their future development.”
Regular fixtures between the Community Foundation’s BDC and the club’s academy take place throughout the season, to allow opportunities for all players to be challenged and for club staff to keep an eye on the talent within the club’s pathway.
Joe Hart, Participation Manager @ Colchester United Community Foundation explains; “The Community Foundation and Academy relationship is developing season on season which is supporting the development of all players within the club’s talent pathway. 3 BDC players have signed Academy registrations during the 2023/24 season with a further 4 players attending Academy trials. These numbers provide a positive picture for the club’s pathway moving forward and these regular fixtures are just an example of how we’re working together to support the development of talent within the club.”
Steve Bartlett, Assistant Academy Manager commented; “Playing fixtures with the Community Foundation’s Development Centre Squads is a key part of the academy games programme which gives variety and variance to format and styles which we value. Thank you to Connor Hall our 1st team Captain whose visit to watch gave higher value to the experience for the players and staff.”
If you’d like to find out further information regarding the BDC programme, please contact:
- Mark Holder (Foundation Phase U6-U11) – Mark.holder@colchesterunited.net
- Kieran Micheals (Youth Phase U12-U16) – Kieran.micheals@colchesterunited.net
