KEVIN COOPER COMES INTO NEW YOUTH SETUP
Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:21 pm
Further to requirements for the new National Youth Development system (known formally as the Elite Player Performance Plan or EPPP), Cardiff City Football Club has made a number of significant changes and improvements to its current youth-level provisions.
The previous format of having Academies and Centres of Excellence will now cease to exist, being replaced with an Academy programme classified into four categories. The Academy - fronted by Academy Manager Neal Ardley- has been striving for twelve months to achieve Category 2 status which would give rise to a significantly improved system in all areas. As such, the Football League have verbally (and provisionally) confirmed that the Club meets the desired requirements and we are expecting official categorisation mid-July. This will then be subject to an independent audit during the 2012/13 season.
The improvements have seen staff additions and respective role changes within the department, effective from July 1st 2012. Below are profiles of those new to the setup and others changing roles.
Kevin Cooper - Senior Professional Development Coach (U21)
Following his return from Malaysia in a development officer role, Kevin will now become solely responsible for the U21 Development Squad. He will be based at the Vale Training Ground and will be in regular communication with both First Team and Academy Management. This integral link is designed to give our promising young players a greater structured pathway from Academy to the first team.
David Gough - Assistant Professional Development Coach (U18)
David has worked as an Academy Coach for 2 years and has recently agreed to undertake the role of U18 Assistant Coach. He will work alongside Neal Ardley and Lee Skyrme at Glamorgan Sport Park on a daily basis to manage the U18 Apprenticeship programme.
Matthew Bloxham - Assistant Development Coach (U12-U16)
Matt has enjoyed a lengthy term within the Club's Community Foundation, as well as involvement in our Academy schoolboy scheme. He will now work closely with Geraint Twose at Glamorgan Sport Park to further improve the performance of our U12-U16 age groups.
Paul McCarthy - Academy Secretary
As a senior Academy Scout for many years, Paul has also co-ordinated U18 & U16 match days. As Academy Secretary, his primary focus will be on managing the Academy recruitment programme, as well as admin support and office management at Glamorgan Sport Park.
Anthony Redwood - Academy Operations Manager
With the addition of Paul McCarthy and direct support for the administration aspect of the Academy, it will be Anthony's responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations of the whole department. Furthermore, there will be a focus on business management with an emphasis on sponsorship, fundraising, budget control and generating income.
Lee Kendall - Academy Goalkeeping Coach
Once a former first-team goalkeeper at Cardiff City, Lee has recently attained his UEFA A Licence and has boosted the Club's goalkeeping programme greatly over the past twelve months. He will now undertake the role on a permanent basis and give much-needed attention to Academy Goalkeepers at all age groups.
Vinny Leach - Football Support Officer
As Football Support Officer, Vinny's main responsibility will be to manage kit and equipment for the U21 programme. He will also continue as Academy Parent Liaison Officer and offer general ad hoc support to both first team and Academy.
Neil Lewis - Head of Sports Science & Medicine
Having been head Academy physio for a number of years, Neil will now oversee the entire Sports Science and Medical provisions within the Club's youth setup. He will work closely with Academy and first team staff to give attention to the finer details of these increasingly important aspects of youth development.
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/New ... 28,00.html
The previous format of having Academies and Centres of Excellence will now cease to exist, being replaced with an Academy programme classified into four categories. The Academy - fronted by Academy Manager Neal Ardley- has been striving for twelve months to achieve Category 2 status which would give rise to a significantly improved system in all areas. As such, the Football League have verbally (and provisionally) confirmed that the Club meets the desired requirements and we are expecting official categorisation mid-July. This will then be subject to an independent audit during the 2012/13 season.
The improvements have seen staff additions and respective role changes within the department, effective from July 1st 2012. Below are profiles of those new to the setup and others changing roles.
Kevin Cooper - Senior Professional Development Coach (U21)
Following his return from Malaysia in a development officer role, Kevin will now become solely responsible for the U21 Development Squad. He will be based at the Vale Training Ground and will be in regular communication with both First Team and Academy Management. This integral link is designed to give our promising young players a greater structured pathway from Academy to the first team.
David Gough - Assistant Professional Development Coach (U18)
David has worked as an Academy Coach for 2 years and has recently agreed to undertake the role of U18 Assistant Coach. He will work alongside Neal Ardley and Lee Skyrme at Glamorgan Sport Park on a daily basis to manage the U18 Apprenticeship programme.
Matthew Bloxham - Assistant Development Coach (U12-U16)
Matt has enjoyed a lengthy term within the Club's Community Foundation, as well as involvement in our Academy schoolboy scheme. He will now work closely with Geraint Twose at Glamorgan Sport Park to further improve the performance of our U12-U16 age groups.
Paul McCarthy - Academy Secretary
As a senior Academy Scout for many years, Paul has also co-ordinated U18 & U16 match days. As Academy Secretary, his primary focus will be on managing the Academy recruitment programme, as well as admin support and office management at Glamorgan Sport Park.
Anthony Redwood - Academy Operations Manager
With the addition of Paul McCarthy and direct support for the administration aspect of the Academy, it will be Anthony's responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations of the whole department. Furthermore, there will be a focus on business management with an emphasis on sponsorship, fundraising, budget control and generating income.
Lee Kendall - Academy Goalkeeping Coach
Once a former first-team goalkeeper at Cardiff City, Lee has recently attained his UEFA A Licence and has boosted the Club's goalkeeping programme greatly over the past twelve months. He will now undertake the role on a permanent basis and give much-needed attention to Academy Goalkeepers at all age groups.
Vinny Leach - Football Support Officer
As Football Support Officer, Vinny's main responsibility will be to manage kit and equipment for the U21 programme. He will also continue as Academy Parent Liaison Officer and offer general ad hoc support to both first team and Academy.
Neil Lewis - Head of Sports Science & Medicine
Having been head Academy physio for a number of years, Neil will now oversee the entire Sports Science and Medical provisions within the Club's youth setup. He will work closely with Academy and first team staff to give attention to the finer details of these increasingly important aspects of youth development.
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/New ... 28,00.html