Academy Players Attend Player Development Day At St. George’s Park

Over 90 academy and professional players, including those from City's Under-15s and Under-16s, were accompanied by parents, coaches, practitioners, club staff and stakeholders for educational presentations, parent workshops and coaching sessions led by England Under-17 Head Coach Tom Curtis. Leicester City Academy Coach Ashvir Johal also coached on the day and supported in the planning of the event.

The home of English football, St. George’s Park, was the venue for the event, which forms part of the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme. AIMS was created to enhance the experience of British Asian footballers on the elite pathway by creating a structured network of support that allows them to thrive. 

Danny Batth (Sunderland), Neil Taylor (Middlesbrough), Otis Khan (Leyton Orient) and Malvind Benning (Port Vale) are among the senior footballers mentoring scholars and emerging pros, with those players, in turn, sharing their academy experiences with their younger peers.

The programme has allowed players to connect, parents and practitioners to network and bring together communities that all have the aim to progress along the elite pathway.

Following on from the previous AIMS Player Development Day events during 2021, there has been an appetite from players and families on the programme to connect and network more regularly.

These face-to-face events have proved a real highlight, giving players the opportunity to connect with peers from different clubs, partake in a coaching session as well as network and learn from professional player experiences.

PFA’s Player Inclusion Executive Riz Rehman said: “The momentum behind the PFA’s five-year strategy to increase Asian representation in the game is very strong and thanks must go to all the clubs who have fully supported and backed the scheme by connecting us with their players and families.

“Over the last 24 months, we have laid some solid foundations upon which to build, and we will continue to work with our networks of clubs to provide additional wrap-around support for players and families.”