Fleetwood Town International Football Academy staff members, Mick Horsfall and Mike O'Neill have returned from a successful trip to Malaga to explore additional player development pathways and program developments.
The pair met up with the partnership we have established in London with Sports Group International (SGI) to discuss plans for Fleetwood Town FC to support new ventures out in Spain.
The launch of a new Pro Experience style programme - to provide Long Term Player Development Programs in the country are already taking shape - with previous players from the FTIFA U.K already enrolled. The next step in the plan would be to create a link with Spanish team to enable the pathway to pro route we have seen so successfully created in Dubai.
Mick Horsfall, said on the move: "The chance to provide more opportunities to play and train with a credible route into a professional team under the Fleetwood Town group is something we are really keen to create.
"The facilities, accommodation and environmental factors are all really great foundations on which to build a really successful program. SGI are doing great things in the UK and we have already had a year working with them to promote their football education programs in London.
"The expansion into Spain is the next part of the journey together.”
The vision is to share the best practice of Fleetwood Town FC to develop the programs and develop coaches and players to Elite levels.
Players enrolled from on our U.K. programme will also have tours and talent ID weeks built into their stay with us to give them the cultural experience of playing in Europe.
Michael O'Neill - who leads on creating business through international tourism, said “Seeing what is available for players in Spain and the U.K. we are really excited about what we can create.
"There are so many opportunities for tours between the two programmes and also for the players across the world to find a level to play at professionally with our support.”
Mick Horsfall added: “The Chairman and CEO have demonstrated their commitment to different ways of identifying talent. Fleetwood Town is becoming a global brand name through our work across various continents.
"We need to be able to give players a platform to showcase their abilities and create assets for the Football Club. This program is another chance to do that!”
Fleetwood Town's commitment to international playing opportunities for aspiring players across the world is constantly being explored and we are sure that the new venture into Spain will be a great way to support our aims and objectives of the FTIFA programmes.
For further information on all programmes run globally by Fleetwood Town, please email michael.horsfall@fleetwoodtownfc.com.