Tong School in coaching link with Avenue

5:41pm Friday 14th November 2008

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Tong School have formed a partnership with Bradford Park Avenue.

Avenue are currently chasing promotion from the UniBond Premier Division to the Blue Square North.

If they achieve that it would see them just two divisions below the Football League.

The club have always nurtured talented young local players and the new scheme involving Tong School should suit both parties.

Pupils will be able to benefit from coaching sessions and the club are hoping some of the players will go on to represent the club – maybe even on a semi-profession contract.

Craig Marsden, the club’s head of youth development, was instrumental in the new tie-up.

He said: “Tong School has a new specialised sports college and we discussed a partnership, the outcome of which is that I will be spending time at the school organising sessions and the pupils will have the opportunity to join our teams and increase the size of our junior section. The Bradford board have backed the initiative with substantial funds and given the school some kit, equipment and something that is most essential – footballs.”

Marsden manages Avenue’s Ladies’ side and added: “I’m keen to get more girls interested in playing football. We only have two teams of junior girls under our ladies’ side and I would like a team for every age group. That is something that can materialise with the help of the school.”

Avenue’s chief executive Bob Blackburn has worked hard to involve the youngsters of Bradford with Avenue as youth players and supporters.

Accompanied children under 16 have always been allowed to see Avenue’s home league games for free.

Blackburn said: “I think it’s wonderful that Tong School are as excited as us with this partnership. They have kindly offered us free use of their facilities and Craig will spend some time in the school helping to promote football and running coaching sessions.

“As a thank you, we have given them a framed, signed shirt, 50 new footballs and some BPA away shirts.

“They will also be able to use our recently-purchased soccer centre at Thornbury.

“The pitches at the Gallagher Leisure Park are being laid with the latest technology in artificial turf and the re-styled La Liga Soccer Centre should be opening next month.”