Under-18 squad back with a bang

After a well-earned month of rest, recovery and recuperation, the club's Under-18 squad for 2017/18 arrived at the Academy training ground this week to start their pre-season return.

Day one started with a trip to the medical department for heart screenings, injury checks and a chance to get to know the staff that will be helping them through any niggling injuries for the next season.

The boys enjoyed a protein-filled lunch in the SGS College Fuel Station before the sports science department took over. The squad were put through their paces with some physical attributes tests including sprints, jumps and – just to finish them off for the day - the dreaded ‘yo-yo test’.

Day two began a lot more sedentary, with talks from our safeguarding officer and Under-18 tutor Jen Owsley, head of welfare Pete Coleman and various other departments on expectations, opportunities and the day-to-day running of the EFL scholarship programme. 

After lunch the boys were finally rewarded with what they’d been waiting for – a bag full of footballs. 

Under-18 manager Trevor Challis introduced the squad to his style of training session - possibly at a higher intensity than some of the younger players have been used to - and by the time the balls were brought in at 3pm the boys had worked hard and were ready for a rest.

It's now the midweek point and City's new scholars have a day of education ahead of them. 

Each player will be studying full-time alongside their football programme and head of education Thomas Harvey is poised to assist them if they’re ever struggling. 

Wednesdays are a non-footballing day for our boys – something they’re surely glad of – as another day of hard work on the pitch and in the gym awaits them tomorrow!