Chorley boost for youth football in Lancashire

Youth football in Lancashire is set to receive a major boost this summer when a new football academy for young players and coaches opens at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) in Darwen.

The football academy is a partnership between Chorley Football Club and DACA, and is aimed at young people aged 16-19 who are keen to pursue a career in the game. Players will benefit from coaching from Chorley FC staff – including manager Garry Flitcroft (ex captain of Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City) and specialist DACA staff – including teacher Chris Worthington, who has coached in the USA as well as having extensive coaching experience in the North West.

As a feeder academy for Chorley FC it will develop young talent looking for a professional or semi-professional playing future and open the door to coaching careers, through a combination of high quality academic qualifications and training in sport and business. It is also for those who want to play amateur football at the highest level and those who want to work in the industries associated with football, such as sports nutrition.

The football academy is a new move for both Chorley FC and DACA, and will also have close links with the Lancashire FA. Teams will play against other football academies and high standard teams throughout the North West . Players will also take part in national competitions and have the opportunity to go on at least one international tour during their time in the academy.

Chris Worthington, Academy Manager, said: “There is no better time than now to think about a career in football because there are so many opportunities in the game.

“We are taking youngsters’ love of football and converting it into a future by giving them practical experience and superb training.”

Hilary Lunn, Director of Sport at DACA, said “I’m very excited about the partnership with Chorley FC. My background is in developing young players and this is all about nurturing talent, seeing it grow and pointing it in the right direction.

“Young people who want to train as coaches will be able to take the first steps on the ladder, and players showing particular talent may get the opportunity to play for Chorley FC while in the football academy. Players will also be encouraged to attend professional and semi-professional trials during and at the end of their course.”

The professionally-run academy will offer daily professional football training, the opportunity to work in partnership with Chorley FC, and practical coaching experience working alongside UEFA coaches, as well as a range of high quality academic and practical sport coaching, leadership, business and IT qualifications.

Garry Flitcroft, manager of Chorley FC, said: “This is a fantastic move for Chorley FC. By partnering with DACA, we have an opportunity to develop some potential first team stars of the future. They clearly recognise we are an ambitious club, with a big fan-base and great potential, and this link-up will not only provide an opportunity to develop some exciting talent, it will also open up new opportunities to expand our community activities in the area. The facilities at DACA are better than what you would find at some Football League clubs and another key benefit of this partnership is we can use them for first team training sessions.”

Ken Wright, chairman of Chorley FC, added: “It’s a win-win for both parties. This link-up will provide us with an avenue to develop some of the best young talent from the area and, if they are good enough to make the step up, they will get opportunities. It’s vital for clubs like ours to try to develop talent but until now we haven’t had the facilities, or resources, to do that.
“By partnering with DACA, we now have that opportunity.”

The football academy will have some of the best facilities in the North West, with two Premier League standard pitches and a state-of-the-art sports hall, multi-use games area, professional fitness facilities, fully interactive class rooms and a full size third generation floodlit artificial pitch.

First trials will be held on 12th and 13th April.

To get an information pack and book your place at the trials please ring 01254 819500 or email chris.worthington@daca.uk.com