Overview of Youth Development Set Up

Our youth development programme has just completed its second season and in that time has more than doubled in size, now offering football and high quality coaching to nearly 200 young people. We run teams from Under 8 through to Under 18 with the aim of the youth development programme to produce homegrown local talent, which we hope one day will be seen out playing for the 1st team.

The scheme is driven by player development and not orientated around the players gaining results, something, which puts undue pressures on youngsters and can have a negative effect on player’s development.

The receiving of the F.A Charter Standard Development Club award scheme is a measure of the standard, which the club is run by; ensuring that child protection and child welfare is at the forefront of every development.

The development structure is completely self-funded; the scheme relies solely on external sponsorship and the contribution of players in the form of match and training fees to pay for facilities and equipment.

We have a committed and experienced set of coaches old and young from all walks of life. Each year we place emphasis on continued coach development so that this will benefit our players also. Coaches will be encouraged to add to their qualifications to ensure the best possible coaching and care can be given to those players in our club

We are currently looking at increasing the standards of our youth development for the following season, both on and off the field of play.

Our ultimate aim is to achieve Centre of Excellence status for our youth teams. We know we are a long way off at the moment but it is giving us something to work towards.

We are adjusting the structure of the Under 18 teams next season to ensure that we have players playing at the correct standard that will directly benefit their development.

We have also radically changed the set up of the Swindon College partnership to ensure we can attract players from outside of our immediate region. This is something that will greatly assist in the player’s development and offer Jim a stronger standard of player progressing through towards the 1st team.

Sponsorship Packages

If you are interested in sponsoring the youth development, in any way possible or have any other queries please contact Gary Probert on 01453 834860 or via e-mail at gary.probert@forestgreenroversfc.com

Applications

At the end of every season all applications are reviewed and players are invited to train with the respective squads, next seasons squads are then selected from this process.

If you are interested in applying to be in any of the squads, please download the form below and return with a stamped address envelope to:

Forest Green Rovers Youth Development
The New Lawn
Nympsfield Road
Nailsworth
Glos
GL6 0ET

Gloucestershire County Youth League Champions,
Gloucestershire County Youth League Cup Winners
& Gloucestershire County Youth Cup winners 2001-02.

Above: Three of Forest Green Rover's youth team players were selected to play in the Wales v England U18's Schoolboys International held at Newport County in March 2002. Left to right : Adie Adams, Luke Jones and Danny Allen.

Playing for Forest Green Rovers youth team will give you a good chance of turning into a professional footballer. Three of Forest Green Rover's 2003-04 First Team squad started in our Youth Team. Adrian Adams, Luke Jones, Danny Allen, and John Cant are now all registered Conference players and will play at the top of non-league football.

   

Danny Allen and Ade Adams with their England U18's Schoolboy International Caps.