A NEW overseas partnership has been formed between Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) and FC Pennine United following the American team’s visit to Burton Albion Football Club.
The side, based in Detroit, approached the club through the help of an online company that arranges fixtures and football tours in other countries. The side, made up of youngsters between the ages of 8-12, took on a Burton side made up of local youngsters that take part in a weekly Advanced Development Centre at the Burton Albion Community Football Centre 3G.
The aim of the Advanced Development centre programme is to provide talented grassroots players aged 8-16 the opportunity to train and play with a professional environment representing BACT. The programme allows players to play against other football league clubs, with the possibility of playing progressing into the club’s academy or Football & Education programme.
During their trip to Burton on Trent, the side also embarked on a trip to the Pirelli Stadium, having the chance to look around and meet staff from the club. As well as visiting other clubs in the Midlands, the side also visited Manchester to play a number of sides from the northern region.
Ben Webster, Football Development Team Leader, said: “We were approached through Inspire Sport about arranging a fixture with FC Pennine United who were touring over the summer from Detroit in America. It was a fantastic opportunity for both sets of players and for our boys in particular, playing against a team from another country.
“With the Advanced Development Centre in its second year, we have expanded from the inaugural u13-u16s group and now run through from u9-u16s. The mix of u12 and u11 that were playing acquitted themselves very well during the game and played a nice brand of football. We would like to thank Inspire Sport and FC Pennine United for helping the fixture to commence, as well as Belvedere FC for use of their facility.”
FC Pennine ran out victorious in a close fought game, with a partnership to continue in the future between the two clubs.
If you would like to know more about BACT’s Advanced Development Centre and how you or your child could have experiences like this, please visit http://burtonalbioncommunitytrust.co.uk/advanced-development-centre/