I was doing some tennis umpiring at Bath Uni last week and I saw a whole bunch of kids in saints training kit. They must have been around 10-12. Anyone know anything of this and why they train at bath? Are they part of our youth system set up?
Bath Satelite School isn't it? Didn't we pick up a few products from there before? However I can only recall Lloyd James off the top of my head
Saints have an Academy offshoot based in Bath, and it has been around for years, right back to Lawrie's time, maybe even longer. Although only tentatively connected, I believe it's why Jason Dodds was spotted playing for Bath City.
We had to have a satellite club under old rules which prevent you from having youngsters who live more than a certain distance from your club. We have a problem as half our catchment area is under water. This will not be a problem under new rules where top academies can draw from anywhere.
Cool thanks chaps. Good to see our system going that far afield. Surely with our reputation kids parents will want them mentored by saints
Remember a recent article where the writer said that if had a young son he'd rather put him in the Saints academy than any other.
Was it the 'secret footballer' writing in the Guardian sport? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/feb/03/the-secret-footballer
Thanks...good to read it again. The figures add up don't they...2.3 million a year to run but 100 million pounds worth of players produced.
if the acadamy can fly the flag in the surrounding counties then it only increases the pool. we are in a unique position, if you had a talented kid and were living in the south then we are the only realistic choice- big club, good facilities that are only getting better and a proven track record
Its to get round the old 90 minute rule and extend our catchment to cover the West Country and South Wales. There's a similar centre in Surrey too. All to get the best kids through the door.
Always great to see opportunities for young players to get recognised. Wish they were around when I was a young one.
No it's not. the 90 minute rule disadvantages coastal teams as they can't go 90 mins in 'all directions' due to there being no land there. As a result Southampton like others have been given license to set up satellite centers within the UK.
Or maybe, just maybe (i may be wrong because I don't know) because Surrey is an hour away he just chose to join us as we offered the best package.
