Gateshead FC is delighted to announce the creation of our Junior Academy in partnership with Gateshead College.
The all-new setup will foster the development of young footballers aged 10 to 16 on Tyneside, operating under the guidance of junior academy director and first-team defender, Louis Storey.
Louis Storey.
The new programme provides progression to Gateshead FC Academy, a long-standing partnership between the club and Gateshead College, which offers 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to study and play within a professional footballing environment.
Gateshead FC Academy graduates include current first-team players Connor Pani and Oli Thompson in addition to former Gateshead players Jon Mellish and Tom White, who now play in EFL League One and Two for Carlisle United FC and Barrow AFC.
The Gateshead FC Junior Academy consists of both boys’ and girls’ teams catering for all abilities from the age of 10, or school year six, and the college’s coaches will be involved in the U16 pathways to progression.
Seven teams operate within the youth development phase (U11-16s) as well as one U18 team in the professional development phase, all representing the club in weekend leagues across the region.
All teams will have access to the same state of the art facilities used by the club’s first team at Gateshead international Stadium and Gateshead College’s Academy of Sport, including:
- Strength & conditioning suite.
- Performance analysis classroom space.
- Outdoor 4G pitches for training and games.
- Indoor courts for futsal, SAQ and winter training.
Oli Thompson emerges from the tunnel for an Isuzu FA Trophy tie against Weston-super-Mare.
Neil Pinkerton, club chairman, said: “We are thrilled to launch the Junior Academy in partnership with Gateshead College.
“Following in the footsteps of our highly successful Gateshead FC Academy, our junior version is a highly positive step in nurturing young talent and providing pathways to excellence in football.
“Our collective efforts will ensure the North East continues to be a fertile ground for developing football stars of the future.”
As the junior academy’s principal partner, Gateshead College will play a key role in raising the awareness of the junior academy to sustain, develop and grow the programme.
John Deary, assistant principal at Gateshead College, said: “Being part of our local community is really important to us, and we’re pleased to be partnering with Gateshead FC to develop youth football both in Gateshead and the wider region.
“The Gateshead FC Junior Academy builds on our existing partnership with Gateshead FC to give junior players a brilliant opportunity to train and coach with a professional club, with a clear pathway to continue in their chosen sport both during and beyond their college studies.
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of shaping promising futures for young players in the North East and we know the academy will have a positive impact young people across the region.”
The Gateshead FC Junior Academy programme offers all players:
- Age-appropriate training programme.
- Games programme.
- Gym-based strength and conditioning programme.
- Pitch, gym and track-based conditioning sessions.
- Performance analysis.
- Goalkeeper-specific training.
- Player and parent athlete workshops.
- Welfare support.
- Free access to all first team home fixtures.
- Bespoke Patrick training & playing kit in-line with Gateshead FC’s first team.
To contact our junior academy regarding any further enquiries or to express your interest, please email gfcacadops@gmail.com.
