The winter shutdown is about to come to an end for the AFC Youth Academy, with the second half of the season about to get underway shortly. RedMatchday Magazine recently spoke to the Head of Academy Coaching Gavin Levey who gave us an update on how things are going within the Academy:
“It has been a busy first half to the season and everyone within the Academy is working very hard to enhance the environment so the kids can excel. This year we have put in place a number of new initiatives to aid the development of our players.
“We have introduced the video analysis this year right across all the squads. That has taken quite a bit of time and a lot of learning for the staff as well as the players.
“It allows the coaches a chance to reflect on the games. It allows them to see if the things we have been working on in training all week comes to fruition in the matches. As the season has progressed, our team of analysts have started to get more advanced and break the game down for individuals as opposed to just certain sections of the matches. This is proving very effective with helping teach and develop a player’s knowledge of the game.
“Another big change this season for the AFC Youth Academy has been the introduction of much smaller squads. “There is a lot of talk about change in Scotland. I think change is going to come in the next couple of years. What we have looked at across this region, if we want to have the best players we need to have small squads and concentrate all our time working with the very best players we can. Every week this season it’s a massive challenge in terms of having the numbers to fulfil our games programme unless we promote younger players and allow them to step up a level.
“Every week this season selective kids have played up an age group, sometimes two age groups if we feel they are having an exceptional spell and need challenged further. We have had more players challenging themselves on a weekly basis than any season I can remember. Only a couple of weeks back, we had a really competitive game with Rangers at U15s recently and five of our starting team were U14s.’
“When they get the chance it is up to them to take it. It is up to them to go up a level and challenge and learn. Some of them find it tough physically. Some of them can handle it well. The mental side can be different too. Technically we look to see if they can they deal with the pace of the game as well.
“You hope as well that when their team mates see a player go up a level, it inspires them. It makes all the boys work harder in training. Every young player here wants that opportunity and the older players need to help look after the younger players and have the chance to lead’.
“We have also tried to enhance our goalkeeping programme this year. Goalkeeping is one area that we have needed to improve and we now have Robbie Mutch involved with the Scotland U21s and Archie Mair was part of the Scotland U16 squad in the Victory Shield. Gordon Marshall and Gary Watt do a great job for us leading that programme here”
One of the major highlights so far this season has been the performances of the U17s. Scott Anderson & Barry Robson work with very talented squad currently sit top of their league heading into the winter break. Their success has a knock-on effect through the Academy as Gavin explains:
“For our U15s it is slightly different. The U17s is the only squad that is bigger than normal because of guys who play both 17s & 20s, and the amount of talent we currently have at that level. The 15s are now trying to fight to be part of a successful 17’s squad. So when they get an opportunity they are desperate to take it. Again, that can only be a positive.
“The goals the 17s are scoring and the way they are playing at the moment and the way they are moving the ball around is of a very high standard. The individual technique and movement of the players is exceptional and their style is very good for the younger players to look up to.
“There is a lot of good young players from the Academy also getting a chance with the 20s at the moment. The way the Development league works the side is decided on a week to week basis as there is a link to the first team and a number of first team players are involved as they need game time. We cannot then plan which young boys are going to play, we understand that but what sent a big message to us recently was Dean Campbell and Terry Taylor, who both played in the Victory Shield this year and then went and have trained with the full time players. That sends massive message to all the kids in the Academy.”
“There is a lot of good young players from the Academy also getting a chance with the 20s at the moment. The way the Development league works the side is decided on a week to week basis as there is a link to the first team and a number of first team players are involved as they need game time. We cannot then plan which young boys are going to play, we understand that but what sent a big message to us recently was Dean Campbell and Terry Taylor, who both played in the Victory Shield this year and then went and have trained with the full time players. That sends massive message to all the kids in the Academy.”
