Celebrating the Academy

ROVERS ACADEMY IS THE ELITE TRAINING CENTRE FOR TALENTED FOOTBALLERS IN DONCASTER. NINETY-SEVEN BOYS AGED EIGHT TO 16 CURRENTLY MAKE UP THE YOUTH FOUNDATION PHASE (U9-U12) AND YOUTH PROFESSIONAL PHASES (U13-U16) WITH A FURTHER 20 SCHOLARS MAKING UP THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PHASE (U18).

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic playing havoc with the playing schedule last season, off the pitch the Academy’s structure has been improving at a rapid pace with the introduction of the pre-academy for boys aged seven and eight and the newly established Doncaster Rovers Training Centre which is headed up by former Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz.

The Training Centre does two things. It provides high-quality football sessions for talented boys and girls in Doncaster but is also the pathway to Rovers Academy with players making the switch from Centre to Academy every week.

“The Academy programme is going from strength to strength,” said Academy manager Tony Cook.

“I took on this role in 2019 when we didn’t have a pre-Academy. It meant we were losing young, local players to other South Yorkshire clubs. “We’ve got a very competitive U9s and U10s now and getting these younger players into the set-up has been key to that.

“Our mantra is Made In Doncaster and we really want to attract local kids into the system - everyone wants to see one of their own on the pitch. We need some realism with that too – we’re not going to get every single scholarship player to come through from the Foundation Phase but we need to aim for as close to that as possible.

“I know it’s a long way from being an U9 to being a first team player but that is the pathway we have in place. You’ve seen with Liam Ravenhill and recently Ethan Harrison that we’re starting to get players through who’ve started at those young age groups.

“Richie Wellens is giving those players a chance which we’re delighted with because it sends a message to all the Academy players that if they’re good enough, they’ll get a chance here at Doncaster Rovers.”

The Training Centre has recently celebrated its first birthday but it’s already making big strides in bridging the gap from community grassroots football to the Academy set up.

“The training centre is in it’s infancy,” explained Cook.

“It’s a pathway into the Academy but it’s also a way to provide additional training for players in the community so it serves two purposes really. “We’re really pleased with. Andy Beaglehole, Ben Hunter and Jan Budtz are running it – they’re good people and have the players’ and club’s best interests at heart. We’re delighted with how it’s working both in the community and the way it’s bringing players through into the Academy.” The Academy has been invited to the Keepmoat Stadium today to watch the senior team take on Morecambe in a Sky Bet League One. The matchday is a celebration of the club’s future and will the give young players the chance to be introduced to the supporters for the first time.

“For these players to feel part of the club is so important,” added Cook. “We want these young players to feel connected to the first-team and see the pathway that is ahead of them.

“It’s going to be good for us to showcase the Academy in front of the home fans. It’ll be a proud moment for the coaches and the parents and for the young players, it will be a moment that they never forget.

“It’ll also be a celebration of the U9s and U10s because it’s going to be there signing day as well and we want to celebrate that because it’s a massive thing. The joy of joining the club and being part of our Rovers family.”