Nash hosting trials for new scholars

Curzon Ashton are holding an open trials day at the Tameside Stadium next month in an early bid to recruit new scholars for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club’s thriving Academy.

Officials at the First Division North club, determined to build on the success of their set-up which was recently enhanced with the announcement of their partnership with Tameside College, are staging the trials for this July’s intake on Tuesday 18 February.

Outstanding candidates will be offered the chance to join the club immediately. Although scholarships are currently offered to 16-year-olds on a two-year basis, officials are also considering the possibility of introducing three-year courses next season.

Trialists will get the chance to show their potential at a training and skills session in the morning before playing in a match in the afternoon. Curzon Ashton Academy and youth team Manager Mark Bradshaw will oversee the selection process and is looking forward to building on the club's success in finding and developing talented young players.

Bradshaw said: “We couldn’t be more pleased with the progress our Academy has made in its opening year with a steady stream of talented young players emerging to press for first-team places. It’s true to say that everything so far has gone according to plan but we are extremely aware of the need to keep pushing on. There’s always room for improvement and we must constantly strive to raise our standards.

“The idea of staging a trial day in February is to make an early start with assessing candidates for next summer’s new intake of scholars. The majority of those will be school leavers but we also have immediate vacancies within the Academy and if anyone makes a really big impression during the trials, we will offer them places to join us straight away.”

Next month’s trials start at 9.30am with a presentation on the educational commitments of the course. Training then runs from 10.00am to 12.00noon and again after lunch from 1pm to 3pm with a debriefing session afterwards for candidates.

Triallists should bring a packed lunch as well as a training kit, shins pads and football boots suitable for a 3G artificial pitches.

For more information and to confirm your attendance email: mark@curzon-ashton.co.uk.