9th November 2017
Truro City players Jamie Richards, Ben Harding, Niall Thompson and Austen Booth, join Chris Todd and Danny Gaze on the Pro:Direct Academy Devon coaching team.
The Pro:Direct Academy Devon (PDA South Devon TQ4) is dedicated to developing extraordinary players and people both on and off the pitch with the coaching team comprising industry professionals and pro players. Programmes are devised by UEFA and FA licensed coaches who work to exacting standards to inspire confidence and technical skills required for players to develop professionally and academically.
As part of PDA Devon, players will put their skills to the test and play against world-class competition and could have exposure to over 40 professional clubs across the UK. The team recently took part in a tournament at St George’s Park, the home to England’s 28 national teams, to trial Video Assistant Referee line technology before its introduction into professional English football.
The Education Programme is specifically designed for players to play, compete and study full-time at South Devon College; which together will improve their employability skills. The provision caters for students from Level 1 up to Level 6 across a range of subjects including Sports Development, Coaching, Fitness and Exercise Science.
Danny Gaze, Programme Coordinator for Sport and Adventure at South Devon College said, “The Pro Direct Academy has raised the game here at South Devon College. We have five outstanding coaches, four of which have football league experience. These coaches deliver high quality, inclusive sessions, and provide outstanding support. This enables players of all abilities to develop. The players train four times a week, playing competitive games on a Wednesday afternoon. The sessions include; technical and tactical, shape and phases of play, strength and conditioning, match analysis and reviews, active recovery session (stretching, steam room & sauna), and finally fun based sessions. The player’s main focus is to develop academically, whilst developing their football ability alongside. There are also various opportunities to take part in boot trials and photo shoots as part of Pro Direct’s marketing. Our aim is to provide aspiration, support, inclusion, progress and innovation to all of our academy players.”
Hear Austen Booth, Sports Apprentice, talk about his progression with PDA Devon:
https://youtu.be/69MnF-i0QnI
For more information about the Pro:Direct Academy Devon click here
For more information about courses at South Devon College visit southdevon.ac.uk or visit our next Open Evening on Thursday 16th November, 5pm-8pm, at the Vantage Point Campus, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ. Register your attendance here.