As the season drew to a close, we caught up with Youth Development Phase Lead Coach, Gareth Richards, who reflected on the campaign for his age groups.

Richards re-joined the Academy a few years ago after spending time at Connah's Quay Nomads and Everton, and now oversees the development of players aged between 12 and 16 years old.

“My phase looks after high school boys in the 11-a-side game,” Richards explained.

“Therefore, we will teach them more about the tactical side of the game, and that's where two-year registration starts.

“The boys go through a lot of changes and deal with a lot of changes, particularly physically, emotionally and mentally, so it's a critical phase.”

As players start to move up the age groups, they start to develop more of an understanding of the demands of an elite environment.

Richards mentions that it is just not about helping them develop as footballers but as people as well.

"Right before your eyes, you see them develop from young boys on the verge of being young men.

“It has many highs, many lows, and it's an integral part of not just their football development, but of their personal development.

“When they get to 16, and we're telling them, you need to pass your exams, you need to get a scholarship, but they are also trying to figure out who they are as a person.

“I quite like the task of helping them prepare for that and be there for them through that process.”

Having completed his first full season in charge of the Youth Development Phase, Richards looks after several age groups and shares his reflections on how the season has gone.

He said: "It was a really positive season for an Academy still in its infancy.

“This is my first full season since I returned, but nothing quite prepares you for coming into a Club where you're literally trying to build the Academy from scratch.

“I think when you are reflecting on how the year's gone, I think you need to look at the boys across my phase and see what has been achieved.”

One of those standout moments was when the Under-15s progressed to the Northern Final of the Floodlit Cup after an impressive run through the competition.

The tournament provides an excellent opportunity for the young Red Dragons to play in more competitive matches while also having the chance to compete for silverware.

The young Red Dragons topped their group phase, which consisted of Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Stockport County and Crewe Alexandra.

They then brushed aside Carlisle United and Huddersfield Town in the knockout stages, before they were narrowly beaten by Preston North End in the Final.

“The level of success looks different for everybody, as all the boys are on different journeys.

“There's no getting away from when you achieve things as a team, although that's not the aim, I do always think it's a good indication of how strong your programme is.

“I've reiterated this to the boys many times throughout the season.

“The fact that our Under-15s, collectively, off the back of being real good footballers individually, have achieved what they've achieved this year by getting to the Northern Final of the Floodlit Cup and being disappointed by not winning that, that's a big achievement."

The Academy as a whole and the Youth Development Phase have also seen a growing number of players receive international call-ups this season.

Most recently, Academy duo Leo Saxon and Oliver Jennings, who are part of the Youth Development Phase, were selected for Wales Under-15 duty as they took part in the Torneo Delle Nazioni.

Richards spoke about more players receiving international recognition.

He said: "Success has also been for us, the boys who have been recognised internationally, because maybe they weren't being recognised this time last year.

“Hats off to all of them, but at the same time, hopefully, the programme has assisted that.

“We know the direction of the Club, and the aim is to be right at the top echelons of the game, and that filters down to the Academy.”

While focusing on team and individual success, Richards ended by speaking about creating an environment in his phase where players can flourish on the pitch and grow as individuals.

“Ultimately, it's about creating the best possible experience that we can for the boys when they're with us," said Richards. "Regardless of how long that’s for.

“Training's a real nice place to be, it's a nice place to work, there's a good energy about the place.

“I'd like to think that if you spoke to a lot of the players, and hopefully the parents as well, they'd say that being in the Youth Development Phase this year has enriched their lives a little bit.

“You're hoping all the time that on and off the pitch, the boys are improving, they're seeing the improvements, they're feeling the improvements."

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