The Aldershot Town Academy is delighted to confirm Alderwood Senior School as its new home for the 2018-19 season.
The relationship was officially launched on Monday afternoon, as Shots manager Gary Waddock joined Academy Manager Ross McNeilly, Head of Youth and Player Development, Steve Winnett, Chief Executive Laura Smith and Alderwood School Executive Head Teacher, Clare de Sausmarez at the school on Tongham Road.
The Club’s Under 9 – Under 13 and Under 17 – Under 19 sides will be based full-time at Alderwood Senior School from July, making use of their 3G pitch and gymnasium, with the younger age-groups also using the facilities for evening training sessions. New classrooms are also being developed on the site to host the education programme.
The Academy’s Under 9 – Under 16 teams play in the JPL National League and West Surrey Youth League, with the youth team playing in the FA Youth Cup, Bostik Youth League and National League Under 19 Alliance. The Academy’s age group teams will continue to train twice a week and are looking to develop and work with local talent across the area.
“We are delighted to welcome the Academy onto our site at Alderwood School,” said de Sausmarez. “It is a really exciting opportunity to bring together the school and the Football Club in a partnership which will extend to the wider community. We always aim to inspire the young people in our school to be the best they can be, and this new partnership will motivate and enthuse our pupils, whatever their aspirations. It is the start of what we hope will be a long and productive relationship with Aldershot Town Football Club.”
“I’m very excited to be able to use these excellent facilities to help us provide a good environment for players to learn and develop” continued McNeilly. “The Club’s relationship with Alderwood Senior School has really grown in the last 12 months, through both the first-team and Academy, and we are very grateful for the commitment that they have shown to the Club, and we look forward to working closely together in the years to come.”
