Budding football stars will have another reason to pull up their socks this September, after a local Abu Dhabi team made an impressive international connection, to develop local talent.
Abu Dhabi Thistle FC recently welcomed officials from British League One side Notts County to help train the coaches and ultimately forge a partnership between the two clubs.
The Thistles newly created development squad sees players aged seven to 18 years old working closely with coaches – who have undergone recent training themselves – in order to develop and refine their skills on the pitch. The hope is then to send players with flourishing talent to the Notts County academy for further growth and even a dream contract.
Mick Leonard, County’s academy manager along with Andy McMillan, the head of academy coaching, flew into the capital this May to help the 25 coaches of Thistle brush up on their teaching skills. Chairman and founder of Thistle, Archie Young, explained why this newfound relationship can only prove beneficial for football in the UAE.
“Our aim is to find talent in the capital, nurture it and make competitive players at a high level,” said Young. “By welcoming the guys from Notts County it will help us not only improve our own development squad, but also allow a professional team like County to see what talent is right here in the capital.”
Young also explained how the visit is already making an impact.
“Players from our U10s, U12s and U14s were a part of the recent coaching weekend to help assist the coaches as they were trained,” explained Young. Some players even impressed so much, that Notts County have invited them over for a summer school programme.”
With the season drawing to a close, head coach of Thistle, Adie Costello, expressed his excitement for next season.
“Next season is going to be really interesting for Abu Dhabi Thistles,” said Costello. “September will see reduced squad sizes to make sure we can work with a smaller number of players, concentrating on making them better. Trials will be more competitive and now with our new relationship with Notts, it will make the football that little bit more competitive.”
Abu Dhabi Thistle will hold trials in September of this year. For more details email: [email protected]
