Top Coach Developing Young Academy Players

The Napier City Rovers Football Academy, which launched earlier this year, is growing in strength as it prepares to enter its fourth term. 

Although a Napier City Rovers venture, the all-year-round academy is open to all local  budding footballers and already has a number of young players from various clubs in the region in it's ranks.

With pathways for both developing and elite players aged between six and 15 years, the academy caters for all levels and abilities.

Bill Robertson, Napier City Rovers head coach and Hawke’s Bay United player/assistant coach, spearheads the academy, and the coaching maestro is on the ground running the weekly training sessions at Bluewater Stadium.

With a vast experience playing at top level in New Zealand, and youth development in USA, UK and Australia, the services of the UEFA B licensed coach ensures top quality training for young players who want to get ahead in the game.

Other Napier City Rovers and Hawke’s Bay United players will also be joining the coaching staff to support Robertson as the academy grows.

Bluewater Stadium, where all the sessions are delivered, is enviably one of the top playing grounds and footballing facilities in New Zealand, which Robertson says provides the optimum training setting for kids to learn the game.

"The academy is a new initiative we started at the club this year. Basically what we want to do is provide an opportunity for players in the area to maximise their potential by offering them the continuity of a year round programme in a professional and challenging environment with qualified and experienced coaches. We've got top-class facilities here at Bluewater Stadium," says Robertson.

The head coach says the aim is to ensure keen young players secure the opportunities they need to reach their capabilities.

"What the Napier City Rovers Academy offers is a real clear pathway from junior right through to an elite stage.
 
“Through a player-centred focus and a commitment to excellence, the academy is dedicated to providing a first-class footballing experience to develop players.

"We want to give young players the best possible chance to progress and reach their full potential in the game.
 
“Our aim is to provide top coaching and education that will produce players with the ability to play Central and National League football, or perhaps even progress to bigger and better things.”

Mike Shaw of Property Brokers sponsors the Academy. The businessman who has been involved in football for almost three decades, says Property Brokers ‘jumped at the chance to become involved’ when the academy was launched in March.

“I have been active in the football community for close to 30 years, and whilst still playing myself my focus has turned to giving back to a sport that has given me so much'" says Shaw.

“The Football academy is available to all players looking to improve their game, and $120 per term is a small investment to have one of the country’s leading coaches take charge of our young football heroes of tomorrow.”

To enrol for term four, or find out more about the academy visit www.cityrovers.co.nz, or email Phil Doran at chairman@cityrovers.co.nz.
Follow us on Facebook @NapierCityRoversFootballAcademy