As thoughts turn to next season, we have an exciting update for our members and supporters regarding the Junior Section of our football club.
As a club we have been very fortunate to be selected for a number of FA initiatives this season, including ‘Club 50’ (club analysis with consultants support to develop our football strategy, both on and off the pitch), ‘The Greater Game’ (a programme for 12 – 16 year olds to emphasise the importance of eating, moving, sleeping and thinking better) and ‘FA Para Talent Hub’ (we are the only non league club to have the licence to deliver England Talent ID sessions for participants with visual or hearing impairments, or cerebral palsy).
Through the many hours of work with FA consultants, it has become clear as a club and the charity Brakes Community Foundation CIO, that we continue to build on the foundations already achieved, enhancing and developing our provision and support for those delivering and participating in our schemes.
As a result of this we will be making some structural changes to the junior section and look forward to the journey of developing and evolving collectively.
All development programmes, which includes teams in the Midland Junior Premier League (MJPL) from Under 8s to 18s will move under the auspices of the main club, Leamington FC, whilst all community teams will remain under the Brakes Community Foundation CIO.
Both sections will have a new operational committee but will now be led by our Head of Football Development and Foundation Manager, Chris Knott who is an UEFA ‘A’ Licence Coach with over 20 years coaching experience. Supporting him will be Lewis Marston, current Community Manager and UEFA B Licence Coach who will take an active role in coaching teams and supporting coaches/managers.
The changes will build on the foundations set by the departing committee members and Chairman Matt Turner, who will continue as a team coach. A huge thank you to Matt, Jon, Trevor, Lisa and past committee members who have built and developed the section over a number of years and been extremely supportive and will play an active role in the handover.
Chris will set about a number of positive changes within the football pathway, which will include working to put in place, as a minimum, paid ‘Lead Officers’ to oversee the juniors and support our current coaches with an ultimate aim of expanding that network of support coaches to grow and develop local talent.
Chris has already secured additional FA support for next season by committing to a Club Coach Development Plan. In an exciting development he has, put in place the first significant step for supporting players and coaches within the club, agreeing to an exclusive three year partnership with internationally recognised coaching brand Coerver! We can’t wait to see how the partnership develops!
With the relaunch of our girls section seeing 25 girls register their interest in the first two weeks and a new Higher Education Programme for footballers and students aged 18+, we continue to make great strides as the leading Community Club in the area.
Head of Football Development and Foundation Manager Chris Knott, said: “Over the course of the current season (2024/25) we have been working hard behind the scenes with the FA and our current junior committee to progress some wonderful ideas and bring to life the next stage of football development at the club.
"Building on the men’s and ladies first team successes, it is important the younger phases continue to evolve and develop too, the changes we are making are a commitment to the next generation of players and coaches in the club / charity. We are very lucky to have such wonderful people involved in our club and hope to continue to grow in the community!
"There will be a clear staffing and reporting structure to enhance the experience for all players and families participating with us. We are committed to creating more of a hub at the stadium, using the facilities we have available and working tirelessly to secure the best facilities in the area, and hope to have some more exciting news to share soon!
"The Coerver partnership will be a game changer for our junior football offering, Coerver is an internationally recognised method of delivery to aid and develop both players and coaches skills and attributes.
"Our community footprint continues to grow through the Brakes Community Foundation CIO, recently delivering several festivals and primary school leagues, taking our weekly count of participants over 2000 during the final weeks of April!
We look forward to continuing to develop the future of the club both on and off the pitch.”
If you would like any further information regarding the boys and girls junior section, or any other enquiries please email chris.knott@leamingtonfc.co.uk
Follow us on Facebook:
@lfcpathway
@BRAKESCF
