Academy open evening at The Pilot Field

Hastings United Football Club and ARK William Parker Academy will be holding an open evening at The Pilot Field on Tuesday (April 28) from 6.30pm.
Sam Adams converts a penalty for Hastings United's first team to seal a 2-1 win at home to Faversham Town last weekend. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteSam Adams converts a penalty for Hastings United's first team to seal a 2-1 win at home to Faversham Town last weekend. Picture courtesy Scott White
Sam Adams converts a penalty for Hastings United's first team to seal a 2-1 win at home to Faversham Town last weekend. Picture courtesy Scott White

The evening is for any players currently in school years 11, 12 or 13 or still aged 18 on August 31, 2015 who are interested in being part of next year’s U19 Football Academy.

Players will be asked to take part in a practice match on the main pitch at The Pilot Field, and following that the football club and the school will hold a Q&A session for any parents and potential players to ask any questions about the partnership moving forward.

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The Hastings United FC/ARK William Parker Academy offering is a two-year full time course. William Parker can provide players with up to four A Levels, as well as B-Tech courses.

Players will have the opportunity to take an FA level 1 and 2 coaching course, as well as a refereeing qualification.

The first team will compete in the Conference Youth Alliance League at The Pilot Field on midweek afternoons against clubs such as Dover Athletic, Tonbridge Angels and Ebbsfleet United.

Academy players will receive up to three training sessions per week. Full training kit and tracksuit will be provided.

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Head coach Ben White said: “The football club and ARK William Parker have come together to provide an excellent pathway for young local footballers to move forward.

“Whether they have aspirations to become professional or semi-professional players, coaches and referees or looking to just continue playing and enjoying youth football and building social skills while they take their A Levels, this course can cater for all.

“This is another really positive move by the football club. I have said before that because of geographics, this area is massively untapped in terms of football talent and this partnership should give the football club the tools to harness good local players coming through and develop them.

“I know that Hastings United FC and first team manager Nigel Kane are fully behind the project, and despite his first team commitments, Nigel has worked tirelessly over the last few months along with Mark Feery and Jimmy Elford at William Parker to put this together.”

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Interested players who are not currently being educated at ARK William Parker Academy will be considered for the team provided the course they are taking at an alternative education provider cannot be accommodated by William Parker next year.

The Academy will also be able to give some footballing opportunities to players who are not in any form of education, but are nonetheless eligible through age.

For further details, please email [email protected] or call/text 07782 282178.

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