ASPIRING footballers from the local area have been encouraged to register for Bridgwater United’s upcoming academy trials ahead of the new football season.

The club is looking for male and female youth players to try out for its academy for the 2022/23 season.

A club spokesperson said: “The Bridgwater United Academy offers an advanced football development and education programme supported by expert and dedicated staff.

“We are actively looking for upcoming talent to join the academy for the 2022/2023 season.”

The club also said its academy “uses advanced technology and coaching methods to develop their female players”.

Registration for boys closes on Thursday, May 26, while registration for girls closes on Thursday, June 16.

Interested young players or their parents should register on the Bridgwater United or Bridgwater United Women websites by clicking on ‘academy’ and then ‘academy sign-up’.

They can register by filling in an online form with their name, date of birth, a passport-style photo, their address, and some safeguarding and medical information.

Bridgwater United’s website has registrations open for boys in the following age groups: Under-10/11, under-12/13, under-14/15, and under-16.

Girls can register their interest in the under-11s and under-12 girls’ development groups and for the club’s under-14, under-15, and under-16 squads.

The trials for each age group will take place either on May 28 (boys aged up to 13), June 11 (boys aged up to 16), or June 18 (all girls’ age groups).  

Once players have submitted their registrations, “a member of the Academy Recruitment Team will respond in due course with further details”.

The syllabus at the Bridgwater United Academy is broken down into technical and tactical training with a special module for goalkeepers.

The Bridgwater United website says: “The academy vision is to produce players for the first team, year-on-year, with the technical ability on the field to compete at the highest level domestically and internationally.

“The club will always hold the community close to its heart and therefore the off-the-field behaviours will set an exemplary standard in the community and nationwide.

“The club will play a type of football that is considered ‘attractive’ and technical based whilst demonstrating the club’s seven pillars.”

Bridgwater Mercury: Bridgwater United Women took on Manchester United at Fairfax Park in January. Picture: Steve Richardson Bridgwater United Women took on Manchester United at Fairfax Park in January. Picture: Steve Richardson

The seven pillars of the club’s academy are: Competitive environment, individual-focused delivery, technically driven excellence, outstanding basics, coach ability to individualisation, reflection-driven, and personal expectations.

Female players can register for academy trials HERE.

Male players can register HERE.