Allestree Juniors FC partner with Derby Futsal Club for player development

Allestree Juniors FC and Derby Futsal Club have partnered to deliver the Derby Futsal Club Academy Programme.

New for the 2020/21 season, Derby Futsal Club are rolling out their updated academy programme that will provide a playing pathway for under 7s right through to the men’s & ladies’ first team, and beyond. 

The partnership will see an FA Charter Standard Development Club with one of the strongest football development pathways in the county, Allestree Juniors FC, join forces with a club competing on the national stage in Derby Futsal Club.

Derby Futsal Club have a strong tradition of introducing young players at a national level, have a strong relationship with the University of Derby futsal programme, and now have the support of one of the biggest grassroots clubs in the county.

The partnership will see Allestree Juniors FC players introduced to the Derby Futsal Club Academy Programme whilst still playing grassroots football, as well as a crossover of coaching talents. 

Matt Hardy, Managing Director of Derby Futsal Club, sees this partnership as the foundations to the future of the club: 

“We’re delighted to be announcing a really positive and forward thinking partnership with a like minded grassroots club. It’s an idea that Will [Meredith] and I first spoke about some time ago and a real positive of our current situation is that it’s given us time to actually think about how this could work and benefit both clubs. 

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to spread the Futsal message to players, coaches and parents connected with Allestree Juniors, whilst at the same offering an exciting pathway for people to progress through Futsal, not just here at Derby, but towards opportunities at international level and professionally within the game as well.”

Will Meredith, Coach and Mentor at Allestree Juniors, knows that with the experience of both football and futsal his players will have a bright future:

“The partnership Allestree Juniors has formed with Derby Futsal Club is very exciting and will benefit both clubs in many ways. Allestree players will receive expert coaching from extremely well qualified and knowledgeable coaches at Derby Futsal Club and they will learn new skills and improve no end. Our coaches will have a direct link with Derby Futsal Club and be able to observe and help Derby Futsal coaches and thus improve their skills and knowledge. Derby Futsal Club will have a wealth of talent to call upon here at Allestree Juniors and nurture into future first team, and hopefully England, futsal players. Allestree Juniors wants to embed Futsal as part of their DNA and this is one way we can achieve that as well as encouraging individual teams to take up the game. This is a win-win situation that can only flourish as the academy structure matures at Derby Futsal Club.”

Derby Futsal Club’s Academy Director, Carl Bruiners, can see the potential for futsal in the county growing already:

“It’s an excellent partnership between ourselves and one of the largest football clubs in Derbyshire. Even more so in these challenging times, that both Derby Futsal Club and Allestree can provide further growth across both sports for young players.”