After the excitement of our busy week of half-term fixtures against Milton Keynes Dons, Reading and Stevenage, the Wycombe Wanderers Sports & Education Trust’s Elite Development Academy squads jumped straight back into action again this weekend (13-14th November 2021). This time, our Elite under 8’s and under 9’s travelled the 60 miles straight shot up the M40 to Northampton to play fixtures against the prestigious Northampton Town academy. “Cobblers! No, it’s all true!” as the old Soccer AM joke used to go!
Academy showcase games really excite the staff, players, parents and everyone associated with the EDA as it gives our whole team the platform to showcase our abilities against academy sides, and they didn’t disappoint! Our Chairlboys EDA players rose to the occasion and were able to demonstrate our playing philosophy almost perfectly. Both age groups showed an immense technical ability to manipulate the ball very well in such tight areas. Our values to be the #HardestWorkingTeam were also on show as the lads battled away and left nothing on the field.
Within the foundation phase (under 6’s to under 11’s) at our EDA we emphasise the importance of ball mastery, dealing with and controlling the ball in tight areas, being assertive in one-on-one situations and identifying effective decisions on the field. This all played a huge part in our success this weekend and being able to not only dominate those one-on-one battles but having the capacity to scan quickly and effectively, meaning that our players showed some good ball sharing skills also.
Perhaps the most important thing above all else, is that the players, staff, coaches and parents all had a good time. Whilst we want to push our players to be the best they can be, we also understand that it is important for the players in our sides to enjoy themselves and enjoy the football so as to keep them engaged with their football journey as they seek a pathway to the professional game.
We would like to say a massive thank you to our hosts at the Northampton Town Academy for having us and we look forward to returning the favour and organising a return fixture in Buckinghamshire in the near future.
If you’d like the chance to showcase your player’s ability and join our Elite Development Academy, we have talent ID day’s throughout November and December, and into next year too.
Please check out our website page for more information – wwset.co.uk/talentidday/
