Thrilling news for youth football in North Wales – Bangor 1876 at forefront

Bangor 1876 have received confirmation from the North Wales Coast Football Association that the club’s plans to establish a development centre from the start of the 2020-21 season have been approved.

The centre is a key part of 1876’s strategy for community engagement and helping to nurture young players here in North Wales.

Players who attend the development centre will still be able to play for their local teams, and becoming part of 1876’s new structure will enable them to further their skills and have the opportunity to play against established academy teams.

Working with clubs and coaches in the local area is a priority for 1876 director of football Iwan Williams.

Iwan says the development centre will be “a youth entity working alongside grassroots clubs by providing children with extra development”.

He added that “their grassroots coaches can also be involved within our set up as we look to educate coaches as well as children”.

Several local coaches have already been recruited to help run the new structure, and they include existing Bangor 1876 youth coaches Mathew Roberts and Alec Thomas, as well as Gareth Williams and Ian Owen.

More coaches will be joining the centre in the very near future and sessions will be run using both Welsh and English.

Iwan Williams has explained the development centre will not be holding trials as separating children in terms of ability is not part of his current plans.

He added: “We are a community club who are looking to provide development and support to children regardless of their talent levels or capabilities”.

This is one of the first stages of ambitious plans to follow the first team’s success by working towards a longer-term objective of establishing an accredited academy.

Between now and the summer, invitational sessions will be held in order to give children an idea of how the development centre will function.

Further details will be confirmed in the very near future and Iwan Williams is happy to respond to enquiries via e-mail (iwan185@hotmail.com).

Bangor 1876 would like to thank Gareth Jones of the North Wales Coast Football Association (NWCFA) for his support over recent weeks as the club has put in place the key elements of this exciting plans.

Fan-owned Bangor 1876 play in the Gwynedd League. They are currently top of the table after 15 straight wins. The club has won 24 of its 26 matches in all competitions this season, amassing 151 goals. 1876 are still in four cup competitions, as well as the league title race.