GUISBOROUGH TOWN has teamed up with the North Yorkshire Soccer Academy (NYSA) and Prior Pursglove College with the aim of launching Guisborough’s Elite Soccer Academy in September 2021.

The club has been working with NYSA and Priory Pursglove for several years, helping children from as young as three years old to develop their football skills. Now NYSA under the leadership of coach Richard Darcy has become the coaching provider/partner to Guisborough’s Elite Soccer Academy in an effort to take the initiative to the next level. Post-16 students will spend approximately nine hours per week studying a Level 3 BTEC in Sport at Prior Pursglove College with nine hours spent on training/matches, with a combination of technical, tactical and physical activity. The course is seen as vital to the further development of Guisborough Town’s junior section.

Richard Darcy said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the coaching provider/partner for the GTFC Elite Soccer Academy. Being part of the academy now means we can see children start with GTFC at under seven level and develop them all the way through to the adult teams or professional, semi-pro and adult grassroots football.”

“Our UEFA qualified coaches will lead the players through a number of hours per week, including weekly games in the North East College League. We are very excited to get started and we really believe that we can make a real difference to these young players’ lives both on and off the pitch,” added Richard.

Chris Wood, head of Guisborough Town’s Junior Section, added: “It’s been a very frustrating time with the Covid pandemic affecting all levels of football. But now we have this three-way partnership in place with the involvement of NYSA and Prior Pursglove College we think we’ll be all set to hit the ground running when the Covid situation improves – and really make a big difference in the development of aspiring young footballers in the area.”

Email chris.wood@guisboroughtown.co.uk for details.