April/May Newsletter
YCDS Academy Newsletter: April/May 2024
Welcome to your April/May 2024 YCDS Academy Newsletter!
The past two months have been filled with exciting football activities, including open days, friendly matches, and final league fixtures, culminating in winning the league! Our academy continues to thrive and grow, and we are eager to share our recent accomplishments with you.
Football Academy Open Days
We have held several open days, inviting prospective YCDS Football applicants to learn more about our program. Attendees had the opportunity to meet our dedicated team, hear about the numerous benefits we offer, and participate in a taster football training session. These open days provide a glimpse into the vibrant community and high-quality training environment at YCDS Academy.
YMCA Family Fun Day
We supported the YMCA during their bank holiday Monday family fun day. Joined by coaches from Newark Town FC, we led fun, skills-based football sessions for children aged 5-10. This event was also an excellent opportunity to promote our academy to parents and older siblings. The enthusiasm and energy displayed by the young participants were inspiring, and we look forward to welcoming some of them to our academy in the future.
Fixtures
WIN! YCDS vs. Brooke House 12:3
LOSS YCDS vs. FCV 0:2
WIN! FCV vs. YCDS 0:3
WIN! Boston UTD vs. YCDS 3:5
Our team has shown tremendous growth and determination in these matches, showcasing their skills and teamwork. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to more victories.
Recruitment
In April and May, we concluded our recruitment efforts in schools as Year 11 students focused on their GCSEs. We held final assemblies at Magnus CoE Academy and Dukeries Academy and conducted lunchtime drop-ins at The Suthers School and Newark Academy. These sessions have been crucial in attracting new talent and spreading the word about the opportunities available at YCDS Academy.
Girls Friendly
We hosted a friendly match for our girls against Draper Norton Football Academy from Nottingham. Our team displayed great perseverance, winning 5-4. This match highlighted their improvement since the start of the academic year and demonstrated their potential to compete at higher levels.
Nutrition Workshop
Joe Piliero, Executive Director of Hospitality at the YMCA, hosted a fantastic nutrition workshop for our students. The workshop emphasised the importance of proper nutrition and how it fuels athletic performance. Through taste tests, label reading, and product comparisons, students learned to understand ingredients, recognise marketing tricks, and make informed diet choices.
Boxing Academy Open Day
We had a great first open morning for applicants considering joining the YCDS Boxing Academy. Held at Carl Greaves Boxing Gym in Newark, the session was delivered by Super-flyweight Champion Emma Nolan. Students of varying abilities and experiences put in tremendous effort, demonstrating their potential and enthusiasm for the sport.
Inter-Academy Friendly
We hosted an internal friendly match, pitching our current Year 12 students against those joining us in September. This event was an excellent opportunity for recruits to meet their future teammates and take a break from their GCSE exam stress.
Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Wednesdays
With the football league season-ending, YCDS students have started a 10-week Strength and Conditioning program at the YMCA, led by Head S&C Coach Nathaniel Soderberg. This program aims to maintain fitness levels, improve strength, resting metabolism, and body composition, and reduce the risk of injury.
FA Qualifications
Twelve of our students have successfully enrolled in the FA's Introduction to Football course to pursue their Level 1 Coaching badges. This qualification is a significant step in their development as future sports coaches and leaders.
Social Outcomes
We are proud to announce that Gabriela Zaharia, one of our female footballers, has secured employment with Kixx, a children's football academy. She will coach young children on Saturday mornings, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the community.
American Scholarship Dreams
YCDS Football Academy's second-year student, Isaac Sills, has successfully passed the second stage of his application for an athlete placement at an American university through the leading scholarship organisation, First Point USA. This achievement brings him one step closer to realising his dream of playing football at a collegiate level in the United States.
We invite you to visit our website at https://youcandosport.com for more information about our programs and how you can join our academy next year.
Thank you for being a part of the YCDS Academy family!
YCDS Academy Team
