Academy Newsletter No 7 Monday 9th September 2013

Dear Players and Parents,

Another fantastic week for the academy which saw games against Rhyl and The New Saints academy sides.

Subs – Monday 9 th September

A reminder that this evening all players subs must be paid in full for the remainder of the season. Majority have already paid in full over pre season but for those that paid £30 for pre season must pay £120 tonight.

For those that have not paid anything to date, must pay full £150 tonight.

Subs for the season is £150 for all players.

All parents must ensure fees are paid in full. Anyone wishing to pay in cheque form must make cheque payable to Connah’s Quay Academy.

As has been stated numerous times this is a non refundable payment and only full payment will be taken by Rosie or Dawn this evening.

Great results and performances for all academy sides

Another superb week of games saw sides face Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra, Rhyl and The New Saints academies.

Our 16s travelled to Manchester City last Monday evening and narrowly lost by four goals to three after leading three two with just ten minutes to go.

Goals in the game came from George Rathbone, Thomas Bibby and Jack Chambers.

Thursday evening our under 10s faced Crewe Alex away and fell to a seven three defeat against as expected a strong academy side.

Our 8s also faced Crewe away on Friday night in a number of small sided games with again good reports from the coaches on the players performances.

Saturday morning saw our 8s and 9s face Rhyl in futsal fixtures with all sides split into two and play in 2 x 30 minute fixtures. The Nomads boys played some great football with a number of great goals scored through out.

Our under 10s and 11s faced Rhyl in 9v9 action at Connah’s Quay High School also on Saturday morning. Both sides getting to grips well with clubs new 1-4-3-1 shape and playing out from the back and threw all thirds of the pitch.

Our 10s won their fixture by seven goals to three with Steffan Knight grabbing two goals as well as single goals from Dominic Jenkins, Jamie Pain, Louis Davies, Matthew Bland and Sam Moore.

Man of the match went to Evan Cooper who was solid through out in the Nomads defence.

Our 11s fell to a four three defeat to Rhyl in a real end to end game. The Nomads found themselves two nil down at half time but scored three to take the lead with a hat trick from Luke Fenney-Williams in the second half.

But after a great comeback Rhyl sealed the win with two goals in the final ten minutes with two great strikes from distance.

Man of the match went to Billy Nicholas who controlled the midfield well.

Sunday saw our 13s and 15s in home action to Rhyl academy. Our 13s won their game by eight goals to two.

Our ever improving under 15s put in a very strong performance winning by three goals to nil with strikes from Meical Owen, Iwan Rogers and Nathan Mendoza. George Coulton earned himself the man of the match award.

It was then onto The Venue home of professional club The New Saints for the under 12, 14 and 16 academy cup games.

Our 12s got the day off to a great start after drawing 1-1 at half time sealed the win with a great second half performance winning by four goals to one.

Goals on the day came from Joe O Gorman, Billy Unsworth and two from Leo Sumner.

Man of the match went to Harry Whitehouse.

Our 14s followed with another great performance and again adapting to the new system which saw them win by three goals to nil.

Strikes from Thomas Hyndman, Ben Finnegan and a twenty five yard screamer from Louis Phelan sealed the victory. Man of the match went to Zachary Williams who worked tirelessly and showed great vision with his passing.

To complete the day our under 16s faced The New Saints. The sides faced each other a number of times last season and have always been close affairs.

The 16s trailed one nil at the break but two well worked set pieces saw goals from Jack Chambers and Thomas Bibby seal a win in the second half.

Man of the match went to Shaun Shriggley who was composed and disciplined at the back.

As always full match reports including player statistics have all been updated on the website by all teams respected coaches.

The Nomads Way – Academy formation

What a lot of parents would of noticed over the last two weekends is that we have now adapted a clear style of play which will be constant through out the academy.

All sides under 12 to under 16 will now all play a 4-3-3 shape including a back four, three central midfielders, two wing forwards and a lone striker.

In this style of play all teams are encouraged to play out from the back when possible and playing through all thirds of the pitch before gaining shooting opportunities.

Goalkeepers are encouraged to be confident with the ball at their feet with centre back always looking to get ball from keeper. Full backs are encouraged to get forward at all opportunities looking to overlap winger.

The three midfielders will always have one holding and two attacking and look to combine well in triangle shape. Two wing forwards encouraged to drive in and support lone striker as well as combine with full backs in wide areas. Lone striker vital to play higher looking to score goals as expected but also hold the ball up well and bring midfielders into play.

This is a style which will be constant. It is a style which will see plenty of mistakes but good and total football played at all times giving players opportunities to play in a formation which will prepare them for senior games at a higher level.

Our under 10 and 11 sides will be playing in a 4-3-1 shape with full backs acting as wing backs. Once under 12s they simply add wingers and are then playing complete club shape.

Their will be lectures on the new shape over this month.

Our reasoning behind having a club way of playing is it allows any players who are progressing well and moved up an age to slot in simply with all sides playing same way. This will be the same effect for any player who needs to be moved down.

This will be seen a lot more this season with all players being club players not specific team players. If a player is doing well and needs to be challenged further he will be moved up.

If we have a player who maybe struggling physicaly in size for example he may be moved down an age group for certain games to aid his development.

As we have always stated results always come second to performance and we have two simple aims at the academy which we judge ourselves on:

1 – How many players can we move onto professional clubs

2 – How many players represent the club for the first team in competitive Welsh Premier games

The senior side is slightly different with our first team predominantly playing 3-5-2 but with the results driven side of the game it is changed regularly due to opposition etc.

The under 19s will be playing exactly the same 3-5-2 shape as the first team to allow the development when a player steps up to be easier as well as if a first team drops into development squad they are playing the same way as well.

We feel 4-3-3 for younger groups is a great development shape and once make the youth team can then be transferred to clubs 3-5-2 shape which is a lot more difficult system and style tom play.

We feel that this clear philosophy of play for all sides will make things clearer for all and give our players the best way to develop long term playing in a total football shape and being encouraged to play good attractive football with no pressure on making mistakes.

Match Reports

Following all games under 10 to under 19 match reports and player stats will be uploaded onto the academy site by no later than the evening of the game by the teams coach.

The stats section is a good way for us to monitor progress of players and reports and great way for coach to express his feelings and thoughts of the game which will aid session plans following week etc.

Under 8 and 9 groups obviously won’t have stats (other then appearance) done on home games or match reports as they play under a futsal format.

These will be complete though for these two age groups in away games against professional clubs for example who will play one game 8v8 or 9v9.

This is just another tool for all coaches to be in sync and see how players are developing and what challenged may need to be implemented to continue their progression.

If any parents would wish to be photographers for any of sides please let me know and you can upload albums onto the site which can be attached to match reports etc.

Macron Store

If any items ever need replacing for any players over the season this should now be done on the new online club shop which can be found on the Macron Store Wrexham website:

www.macronstorewrexham.co.uk

We have had a lot of interest from parents with regard to coats and other items for their own personal use. This shop is for all fans, parents and players and a number of items are available for purchase.

Under Garments and kit on game days

All players in the academy have now received their full bundles from Macron and I am sure everyone is thrilled not only on the service but the quality of the kit as well.

As part of our deal we are now contracted to Macron and so all of our equipment and gear balls etc are now Macron.

For the new season as everyone is aware the new home and away kits are now short sleeved and in Winter months players may wish to wear under garments.

Our academy is now under the same guidelines as our first team with regard to kit with the following FAW rules must be followed at all games:

• Under garments must be the same colour as the colour of the sides shorts or shirts• Tape worn must be the same colour as the players socks• Ankle guards are not permitted to be worn outside the playing sock

With this is mind Macron have put a package together for players interested in under garments which is £70 and includes for outfield players:

• Yellow under garment top• Yellow under garment shorts• Red under garment top

• Red under garment shorts• Free bag

For goalkeepers we have the same pack specific for our home and away keeper sets (approved by FAW) which include:

• Black under garment top• Black under garment shorts• Navy blue under garment top• Navy blue under garment shorts• Free bag

Again these are all optional purchases. If a players does not wish to wear these garments he doesn’t have to.

But any players who do wear these items in games he must wear these approved Macron purchases only.

Players and parents have two options of purchasing these and any other items they wish from Macron.1. Online – www.macronstorewrexham.co.uk2. In store. Open 10:00-16:00 Monday to Friday – Macron Store Wrexham, Unit E1 Bersham Park, Rhostyllen, LL14 4EG

Fixtures up and coming week

Another jam packed weekend of games starts on Friday evening with our first team who host Welsh Premier Champions The New Saints for a 19:30 kick off at the Deeside Stadium.

A reminder all players receive free admission to all first team games and simply have to arrive in full Nomads tracksuits to access this.

Saturday morning our 8s and 9s face Airbus UK Broughton academy for 10:00 kick offs again at Deeside Leisure Centre in futsal fixtures.

Format of games will be the same as the last two weeks against Newtown and Rhyl with two thirty minute fixtures.

All players to arrive in full red home playing kit and black rain jacket as well as Nomads water bottle for warm up for no later than 9:30.

Our 10s and 11s also face Airbus at home in 9v9 fixtures for 10:30 kick offs at Connah’s Quay High School.

Again all players must arrive in full red home kit for no later than 10:00 and have with them their black rain jacket for warm up and Nomads water bottle.

On Sunday our 13s and 15s are playing Airbus at home in friendly fixtures starting at 10:30 at Connah’s Quay High School.

Both side are to arrive in full red home kit along with black rain jacket and water bottle for warm up no later than 10:00.

With our academy cup teams having a free week and all other academy cup sides in action we will be including our 12s and 14s in these fixtures also.

So our 12s and 14s must also arrive at 10:00 but in full yellow away kit and games will see three sides play each other over two pitches.

All games will be 35 minutes long.

The format for the 12s and 13s will be as follows:

10:30 – Nomads 12s vs Airbus 13s

11:10 – Nomads 13s vs Airbus 13s

11:50 – Nomads 13s vs Nomads 12s

The format for the 14s and 15s will be the same:

10:30 – Nomads 14s vs Airbus 15s

11:10 – Nomads 15s vs Airbus 15s

11:50 – Nomads 15s vs Nomads 14s

We are still working on a fixture for our Nomads under 16s for Sunday.

Our 19s are also in action on Sunday when they are at home to Flint Town United under 19s in Welsh Premier Youth League action.

The game is a 14:30 kick off at the Deeside Stadium. All players must arrive for no later than 13:10 in full Nomads academy tracksuits and have with them their full red home kit, black rain jacket for warm up and water bottle.

Entry for this game for spectators is £2.50.

Good luck as always to all our sides in another weekend of great tests and fixtures.

Black rain jackets

A reminder that black rain jackets must be worn for all warm ups and games.

The rain jackets were selected as black to not clash with playing kit for subs when watching games as well as for those harsh Winter months.

The red jumpers can be worn as well as the jacket but black jacket must be worn at all games.

Academy Training Monday 9 th September

As all are aware this evening our training has moved to the indoor facility and astro turf at the Connah’s Quay High School.

Players are all reminded they must sign in before all sessions at reception with Rosie and Dawn.

Training times will be as follows:

Indoor sports hall 17:00-18:15 – Under 9s

18:15-19:30 – Under 8s

17:00-18:30

Under 10s, 11s, and 12s astro turf

18:00-19:30

Under 13s, under 14s astro turf

19:00-20:30

Under 15s, under 16s astro turf

20:00-21:30

Under 19s

This evening is the return of sports scientist Edward Harper who will be taking all sides under 10 to 19 through SAQ sessions focused on Speed, Agility and Quickness for a 20 minute session before technical and tactical sessions.

The academy physio Gemma Bamford is still currently away working with Team GB athletics on a training camp in Greece but returns on Monday 16th September.

Any players in need of treatment can see Gemma free of charge during the specified time of that players age group training time.

Coerver sessions Thursday 12 th September

From Thursday we begin our second sessions of the week which will take place at Deeside Leisure Centre every Thursday evening for remainder of season.

Players reminded they must sign in with Rosie again who will be in the indoor hut next to the pitches.

This season all these sessions will be Coerver specific sessions with total focus on individual 1v1 and 2v2 skills in high tempo sessions.

Training times for these age groups include:

17:00-18:15

Pitch 1 – Under 8s

Pitch 2 – Under 9s

Pitch 3 – Under 10s

Pitch 4 – Under 11s

Pitch 5 – Under 12s

Pitch 6 – Under 13s

18:15-19:30

Pitch 1 – Under 14s

Pitch 2 – Under 15s

Pitch 3 – Under 16s

Pitch 4 – Under 19s

Pitch 5 – First Team

On top of these sessions the under 14 and 15 sides will be taking part in strength and conditioning sessions at Shotton boxing club running from 17:30-18:00 at charge of £1.50 paid per session.

Players will then be run back to leisure by staff where they will train.

Our under 16 side will take part in a strength and condition session prior to their Coerver session at 17:30-18:15 at the Deeside Leisure Centre gym.

The under 19s will do their sessions 19:30-20:15 following their coerver/futsal session.

Academy goalkeeper session resume

Tomorrow evenings sees our goalkeeper sessions with head goalkeeper coach Neil Ebbrell and new assistant coach Emma Gould resume from tomorrow evening for the season.

All sessions will take place at the Deeside Stadium.

Goalkeepers reminded they must attend like all sessions in their full Nomads academy training kit.

Training times are as follows:

Under 8s to 11s – 17:00-18:00

Under 12s to 15s – 18:00-19:30

Under 16s, 19s and first team – 18:00-20:00

Under 12 to 15 sessions have increased by half an hour from last season and the 16s to first team by a whole hour.

More evidence of us continuing to improve and get better every season.

3 More academy products make first team debuts

Last week under 19 players Lee Jones, Aron Williams and Jack Cheetham made their competitive senior debuts becoming the 14th, 15th and 16th graduates.

The Welsh Premier League cup saw the Nomads face a strong Prestatyn side at home with seven regular first teamers for the away side at the Deeside stadium.

Under 19 players Jack Cheetham and Lee Jones both started the game in their first competitive start for the first team.

Cheetham was immense in the centre of defence showing calmness on the ball as well as some great defending through out. Jones looked sharp through out creating plenty of opportunities and having a number of efforts well saved.

Aron Williams was a late substitute coming off the bench on the right hand side and looked dangerous using his pace and creating two great chances for the Nomads forwards. Under 19 Josh Williams was also on the bench as well as 16 year old Kieran Gaul.

The side had taken the lead through 19 year old academy graduate Shaun Tinsley who hit a great strike from just outside the box into the bottom corner.

Prestatyn responded with a great goal themselves which pushed the game into extra time.

With just a minute remaining fellow academy graduate Ryan Edwards made a great run on the left hand side which saw the midfielder drive into the box and one on one finish cooly into the bottom corner.

A fantastic result and finish to the game which sees the Nomads progress to the second round of the competition.

Another great night in particular for the academy which saw the number of academy products who have progressed through the system and represented the first team in competitive games up to 16!

This is the highest number through out all Welsh Premier Clubs in Wales and is a tribute to work done by all coaches and players at the club as well as first team manager giving players opportunities to show what they can do on the highest standard in Welsh football.

A massive well done to all five under 19s involved last night with the three who played and two on the bench.

Another well done also goes to 19 year old academy graduates Shaun Tinsley and Ryan Edwards who both put in strong performances and both got themselves on the score sheet.

19 year old Edwrads who also coaches our under 11s alongside Paul Garston scored a further two goals on Saturday away to Prestatyn in the Welsh Premier League shown live on S4C!

The full list of academy graduates to date can be seen below:

Kieran Farr – Welsh Premier - Llanelli Vs Gap Connah's Quay, Saturday 25th April 2009

Joel Thomas – Welsh Premier - Llanelli Vs Gap Connah's Quay, Saturday 25th April 2009

Josh Gannon – Welsh Premier League Cup – Caersws Vs Gap Connah’s Quay, Tuesday 28th August 2009

Jack Jones – North Wales Coast Challenge Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay Vs Barmouth and Dyffryn – Saturday 12th February 2010

Jordan Beck – North Wales Coast Challenge Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay Vs Colwyn Bay – Tuesday 2nd November 2010

Jamie Wynne - North Wales Coast Challenge Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay Vs Colwyn Bay – Tuesday 2nd November 2010

Steve Belli - North Wales Coast Challenge Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay Vs Colwyn Bay – Tuesday 2nd November 2010

George Baxter – Welsh Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay Vs UWIC - Saturday 26th February 2011

Rhys Healey - Cymru Alliance - Caersws Vs Gap Connah's Quay - Saturday 13th August 2011

Shaun Tinsley Cymru Alliance - Gap Connah's Quay Vs Caersws - Saturday 10th December 2011

Aled Reece Cymru Alliance – Llangefni Vs Gap Connah’s Quay – Saturday14th January 2012

Ryan Jones - League Cup - CPD Porthmadog Vs Gap Connah's Quay - Tuesday 28th February 2012

Ryan Edwrads – Welsh Premier League – Carmarthen Town vs Gap Connah’s Quay – Saturday Saturday 5th October 2012

Jack Cheetham – Welsh Premier Word Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay vs Prestatyn Town – Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Lee Jones – Welsh Premier Word Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay vs Prestatyn Town – Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Aron Williams Welsh Premier Word Cup – Gap Connah’s Quay vs Prestatyn Town – Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Tri Cast returns for the 2013/2014 season

The academies annual fundraiser returns this weekend with a starting jackpot of £100!

As everyone knows the cost of running ten academy sides is very high and for us to continue to provide as professional environment as possible as well as progress it is vital extra funding is coming into academy.

As in previous seasons we will be doing league tables between age groups to highlight sales with a competitive element and really encourage people to go out and raise money for the academy.

As has always been at our club the academy bank account has nothing to do with the first team and both accounts are completely separate.

All that is raised goes back into the academy and back into developing our academy players to give them a better chance of making the first team one day or higher in the professional game.

It is simply £1 per go for anyone who wants to try and to win the jackpot you have to guess all three correct scores for the games.

For every week there is no winner the jackpot will rise to by £50. Last year just over £1300 was won by players.

What we will be doing differently this year is capping the jackpot at £500 if it ever goes on for that long.

If we get to £500 and it is won depending how many weeks it has been at £500 for the jackpot will be higher than £100 the following week.

For example jackpot raises to £500. No winners at this for 5 weeks. Once won the jackpot will then start at £350 and not £100.

This has been put forward to us by a number of parents and hopefully a consistently high jackpot over the season will make it easier for people to make sales and raise money for the academy.

All players must bring their tri cast and sales to training every Thursday when they sign in with Rosie at Deeside Leisure Centre who will also take the tri cast sales and sheets.

To add to the excitement even more we will now be doing two games on a Saturday and one on a Sunday.

We will put on our twitter and Facebook accounts who is still in with a chance for the Sundays game and what result they have predicted.

The games this weekend include:

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - 12:45 SaturdayEverton vs Chelsea - 17:30 SaturdaySouthampton vs West Ham United - 16:00 Sunday

Club photo details – Saturday 14 th September.

Next Saturday all gap Connah's Quay Nomads sides U8 to 1st team will be taking part in individual, team and club photos at the Deeside Stadium.

This has been done every year at the club for the last three seasons.

This will be the biggest one ever with just under 200 players, 30 coaches etc which will truly be a great photo and highlight even more the growth and development of our club from academy to senior ranks.

The event will take place next Saturday 14th September at the Deeside Stadium.

As always this is a mandatory event for all age group players and coaches.

The main photo with all sides will take place at 13:00.

All sides will be having team photos as well as individual player photos both stills and action shots.

All photos and packages will be available to be bought for anyone who may be interested within two weeks from the photo shoot. Again this is totally optional.

This season we have scattered the timings for the team and individual shots with some taking place before the main club photo and some after to try and reduce the time of the day for all.

Below are the timings list for all sides.

All teams 8s -11s must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their photo shoot. For example U8s 11:45 must arrive for no later than 11:30.

Photos will not be delayed and if any player is late the photos will go ahead.

The main club photo as stated will be at 13:00.

All 8s to 11s will remain at the stadium for this photo as well and once taken are free to go.

The U12 to u19 sides must arrive at the stadium for no later than 12:30.

All players must arrive in full red home playing kit and have with them boots and trainers.

All goalkeepers must arrive in the full green home goalkeeper kit and have with them their goalkeeper gloves.

No under armour garments are to be worn at all for the photos.

Team photos times:

11:45 - 8s

12:00- 9s

12:15 - 10s

12:30-11s

12:45-first team

13:00 TEMPEST TEAM PHOTO

13:30-19s

13:45-12s

14:00- 16s

14:15- 13s

13:30-15s

13:45-14s

A great day to look forward to and look forward to bringing al sides together again next week for what should be a great photo.

A fantastic week for all involved at the academy. All these stories are on our website as well as this academy newsletter.

Any problems or concerns please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

Yours in Sport

Jay Catton - Academy Director/Coach under 16’s/Assistant first team manager

Mobile: 07952 646463