Words: Staff Writers

Western Pride have announced the establishment of a football development academy in a bid to improve opportunities for young players within the western corridor.

Launched in conjunction with community club Brisbane Force FC, the academy is due to commence early next year and will run parallel to Pride’s PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland program.

The first instalment will cater for boys in U12 to U16 age groups with a girls program planned to follow.

Increased squads of 32 players in each age bracket will be geared towards developing the next generation of players from Ipswich and surrounding areas.

The initiative is a result of feedback gathered from May’s high performance survey led by former head coach and current Brisbane Roar high performance manager Karl Dodd.

Recently-appointed Senior Men’s coach Graham Harvey, originally earmarked to join Dodd’s coaching staff, said the move is a product of the club’s ambition for the future.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the region moving forward to really establish this club as the pathway and to start to attract some of the best youngsters from right across the region,” Harvey said.

“If we carry on building like we’re doing as a club, to get the best coaches and the best facilities, then we should go from strength to strength.”

Experienced Brisbane Force football officials John Ogden and Jim Rieley will help administer the program with the former to oversee a group of technical staff in his role as Academy Development Coach.