After two successful years, the Football Academy is back in 2015/16 and the Club Doncaster Foundation are on the lookout for new students to represent Doncaster Rovers.
Designed to combine daily training sessions with academic studies, the Football Academy gives students the best opportunity to succeed in both their footballing development and their job prospects for a career and future in sport.
The coaching team for the academy is made up of former Doncaster Rovers players Tim Ryan and Jan Budtz alongside Academy Co-ordinator, Sam Parkin who has worked at the Foundation and Youth Team for over a decade. Students will attend the new Rovers Education Centre with state of the art facilities, based within the Keepmoat Stadium and work towards various qualifications including Active IQ Level 2 and BTEC Level 3.
Once students complete the education programme they will be able to access a variety of exciting opportunities, with employment, further training and university prospects on the cards for all students.
The academy will train and play their games at the Keepmoat Stadium with strength and condition sessions taking place at Stadium Fitness.
Meet the team:
Foundation First Team Coach – Tim Ryan.
Former professional footballer and Doncaster Rovers legend Tim Ryan will be overseeing the Foundation First team alongside other members of the Academy staff. Tim has a wealth of knowledge having played in over 400 professional games and is currently the Assistant Manager at non-league side Buxton FC. The first team will compete in Category 2 in the AOC Football League and will also compete against professional clubs and academies from across the country. The link with the Foundation brought by Tim allows suitable players the opportunity to play against former professionals and emerging stars of the future
Lead Goalkeeper Coach – Steve Hernandez
Former Sheffield United Academy graduate Steve Hernandez will be working alongside the Academy coaches with his main focus being the Goalkeepers. Steve will provide expert tuition to each academy keeper.
Foundation Development Coach – Jan Budtz
Former Doncaster Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Jan Budtz, will be overseeing the Foundation Second team. Jan has played over 200 professional games and currently represents Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity. Jan will work alongside Academy staff on the Development Programme that is in place for players in the Second and Third Team
Each student that applies for a place within the Foundation Academy will attend a trial at Doncaster Rovers training ground. The trial will be run by the Academy staff and will be an open to all players aged 16-19 who wish to attend Club Doncaster Education Foundation.
The Foundation Academy will be running three teams across the programme in 2015/16, the teams will compete in the AOC Football League and Cup, alongside a games programme against football academies and professional football clubs from across the country.
We have been able to develop numerous links with semi-professional clubs across the north of England at various levels. The links we have allows us to highlight players that we feel are capable to move on to and compete at a higher level.
Should you be interested in attending the Foundation Academy then please visit www.drfc-education.co.uk for more information.