Adelaide United’s Youth Team commenced their Youth Team program last night with all players returning from a much-deserved break.
Adelaide United-s Youth Team commenced their Youth Team program last night with all players returning from a much-deserved break.
The Youth Team Program will allow players to develop their footballing ability, while learning the Adelaide United style and philosophy. They will also be given the opportunity to train amongst and within a professional environment.
There will be two teams within the program; an apprentice squad and then a more ‘senior- squad which will lead into the start of the 2014/15 NYL Season. Each team will be playing games during the course of the program, with up to two games a week.
After the first session, Youth Team coach Michael Valkanis was very pleased to see how high the intensity was from everyone.
“It was the beginning of our program and we are extremely excited to start it. Everyone was very enthusiastic and ready to go,” said Valkanis
“Today we started on the skills of the style and over the next two weeks the focus will be on various skills that are required that will help compliment the way we want to play.
“After that we start focusing more on the movements of the style, and by then, we will be looking to lock in friendly games.”
Adam Piscioneri is one of the players going through this program. He signed with the Adelaide United Youth Team for the start of the 2013/14 Foxtel National Youth League season but was unable to get much game time due to an injury set-back.
“I didn-t have a great season last year, but I-ve put it behind me and now looking ahead,” said the 18-year old.
“Spain was good for me as it provided me with game time at a level I-ve never experienced before. It was top-level football and extremely competitive. It-s set me a bench mark.
“This program will allow me to improve as a footballer and actually train within a professional environment which for me is a step closer to my dream, becoming a pro-footballer.”
The players will be training five times a week which will include football and gym sessions as well as pilates.
All football sessions are held at Adelaide Airport Stadium (Thebarton Oval).
Youth Team Program Squad:
Samed Altundag, Michael Gravas, Bruce Kamau, Gabriel Kalopelnyk, Clifford Maina, Alec Maiolo, Jordan Maricic, Daniel Margush, Riley McGree, Angus Mitchell, Nathan Mauriello, Yiannis Nestoras, Jackson O’Donnell, Adam Piscioneri, Doni Pollock, Nicholas Polli, Jordan Pudler, David Signore, Chris Skull, Thomas Stokes, Ruon Tongyik, Antoni Trimboli, Anthony Ture, Oliver Zafiridis, Alex Woodlands, Mitchell Walsh
Youth Team Program Staff:
Michael Valkanis, Angelo Costanzo, Robert Matosevic, Con Kapnistis, Lathan Byfield, Peter Kipreou, Alex Townsley
