DW ACADEMY REDEVELOPMENT
Dorking Wanderers can today confirm exciting redevelopment plans across the Academy and youth sections of the football club.
Driven by Director of Football Jordan Clark, the club has reviewed the current structure and remodelled all development phases for the coming season within the Academy to increase the number of opportunities for young players to progress through the Dorking Wanderers pathway.
Under the stewardship of Paul Whitlock and Richard King, the youth and elite sections of the Academy have been highly successful in providing football for the local community. From next season, these sections will amalgamate and also combine with the thriving Professional Development Phase Academy, enabling the club to further increase it's benefit to (and have) an even greater impact on the local community.
In delivering an Academy system of unrivalled structure, the club strives to be a definitive hub for football development in Surrey. Not only in producing the Dorking Wanderers players of the future, but to instil lasting values and beliefs, and provide further opportunities in life beyond an individuals time at the football club.
Under the new structure, the club will include:
- A 'mini-wanderers' academy section designed for entry-level and multi-skilled individuals up to the age of 7 years old.
- A minimum of two teams at every age group, composed of teams from the elite & youth sections from under 7 through to under 16 within the Academy banner.
- Academy Status for the new National Academy South Division side at the U19 Level.
- A newly re-branded ‘B’ Team that will play in the Southern Combination League (Step 6).
A New Era Begins At The Academy
The Academy will now operate on a full-time basis after achieving a National League Academy license last month. This mean's the club will now play in the National League Academies Southern Region against some of the most well-established sides in the country.
In addition to this, the Dorking Wanderers Reserves side will now officially become a 'B' team. Under the stewardship of Jordan Clark, the Reserves team achieved 9th, 4th and 3rd placed finishes in the last three seasons respectively, competing at Step 6 in the non-league football pyramid. Entering a new phase, the 'B' team will continue playing at Step 6 in the Southern Combination League for the 2022/23 season, with UEFA B license coach Rhys Barker leading a brand new management team. Rhys adds the following:
"I am truly honoured to be joining this hugely progressive football club.
Dorking Wanderers are a fantastic football club full of great people, the success story is nothing short of remarkable and I cannot wait to add to that success.
After a season's break, I am more determined than ever and this is the perfect opportunity for me personally. We have an amazing group of young players at the club, and I can’t wait to get started with them.
Thank you to Marc, Kris and Jordan for this opportunity to come in to their beloved club, let’s get to work!”
The Dorking Wanderers ‘B’ Management Team will comprise of:
Rhys Barker - Manager
Jamie Barratt - Assistant Manager
Ruben Gaspar - Head Coach
James Eccles - Goalkeeper Coach
Lucy Robson - Sports Scientist
Reece Miles - Performance Analyst
Jay Young - Analyst
Alfie Davis - Scout
