Just a gentle reminder to all possible BW PASE Academy trialists, that you will need to book your place quickly for our next three trials; Wednesday 4th May, Wednesday 11th May and Thursday 12th May, as limited spaces now remain for participation in these eagerly anticipated showcase trials.
We had originally advertised just two trials on each Wednesday this week and next, but due to popular demand, we have added another trial date on Thursday 12th May for A Level learners. All trials will take place in the evening with a 5pm registration.
Our trials are designed for you to demonstrate your talent, whilst being held on Boreham Wood’s million-pound DESSO grassmaster Stadium pitch, which is a replica surface to the one that Arsenal FC play on at their world-renowned Emirates Stadium.
In other exciting news, the Academy is very close to announcing a new tri-party education partnership which will involve a wider range of vocational courses, including A Levels, BTEC’s and CYQ courses, as well as some other newer exciting courses, too.
In addition, a whole host of additional benefits will continue for the 2022/23 Academy season, which will include FREE PUMA training kits, FREE season tickets for Academy players, discounted lunches and a completely FREE education programme, with no hidden fees, as well as work experience opportunities and bursaries available if applicable, too.
This amazing academy news comes in a week where our First Team have beaten League leaders Stockport County 2-1 live on BT Sport, as well as drawing 1-1 with Hollywood backed Wrexham AFC, to remain in 9th place in the National League.
The good news keeps coming, as additionally this week three of our BW PASE Academy graduates in Luton Town’s Pelly Ruddock, Sheffield United’s Iliman N’Diaye and Huddersfield Town’s Sorba Thomas, who all played a significant roles in their Club’s successful seasons, have almost clinched their places in the Championship play-offs with a chance to be playing in the Premier League next season.
Wood Chairman Danny Hunter said, “All Academies and their success stories are more about being slow burners as it takes time, experience, lots of investment and above all patience to get year-on-year results and success, but to have three of our Academy graduates in Pelly, ‘Sorbs’ and Iliman in the Championship play-offs and playing regularly at Championship level and even on an international stage, is beyond my wildest dreams and pretty special by anyone’s standards.
“Next season will be an exciting one for the Club and the BW PASE Academy, as we will try to create a new post-COVID normality and everyone will look to work in a post pandemic COVID world and accept it as the new normal… As such, it feels like I can finally, after three disrupted years, further my Academy investment with some new education partners, while creating new footballing opportunities for our future youngsters who arrive here and we will look to employ a larger workforce to facilitate and promote these exciting new developments…
“Next season we have already chosen to reenter the midweek under 18 Southern Floodlit Youth League with a new management team and we are ready to enter up to a dozen teams within the College and National League Wednesday leagues, so it’s all systems go in terms of further Academy investment next season and beyond…
“We’ve already taken on 12 UEFA and FA qualified coaches for next season, which will include two new Strength & Conditioning coaches and an Analyst on a full-time basis, as well as a new team of Medical, Sports Science, Analysis and Media interns, to ensure our staffing levels befit the UK’s number 1 sports/education programme.
“Those people will be run by my First Team Gaffer and Head of Football Luke Garrard, by our Academy Manager Connor Smith and by our First Team Assistant Manager and Academy Head Coach Lloyd Doyley, who played with such distinction and honour for more than a decade with Watford FC.”
The Wood Chairman Danny Hunter went on to give a final message to all possible trialists by saying, “Don’t limit yourself to going to one trial; look about and make an informed decision on where your future lies. Remember some of these newly founded local schemes are often underfunded, and as such, they promise you the world but cannot afford to get close to us in regard to running a professional sports/education programme. They simply see the 16-to-19 sports/education space as a way for them to earn themselves money, but it’s about creating an environment for young adults to flourish and giving individuals a springboard to progress in a team environment.
“Our scheme has stood the test of time and scrutiny, as it’s been running successfully for over 20 years. The Academy still has the record for most England School and College Internationals, most National Cup successes, a record number of players going into and being successful in the professional game. Plus, on an education front we have record year-on-year retention levels and success rates, as well as the widest range of courses for you to choose from, including A Levels.
“But don’t take my word for it; come and trial, come and ask questions, come and see what it looks like behind the scenes and if you don’t like what we do or like how we do it, what have you lost – just two hours of your time. What have you gained? At the very minimum, you would have played on a million-pound pitch, been treated like a professional and we’ll even feed you before you leave. So, what has any young player looking to better themselves got to lose?” Hunter concluded.
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
