BOHEMIAN FC ACADEMY ANNOUNCE NEW AFFILIATE CLUB PARTNERS

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the first of our new partnerships with established Dublin clubs as our academy embarks on a new affiliate model for 2023.

In an exciting time with a renewed focus on player development in the country, Belvedere FC, Castleknock Celtic FC and Phoenix AFC will be the first three affiliate clubs to partner with Bohemians from next year under the new academy structure.

Bohemian FC Head of Academy Craig Sexton and Youth Director Conor Emerson welcomed representatives of the clubs to Dalymount Park to officially announce the new model.

Sexton said: “We are evolving into a new model and we are delighted to have the three clubs on board with us to be a part of that journey.

“We want to work really closely with every club we partner with. For me, the relationships need to be meaningful, they cannot just be tick-box relationships.

“We want to work together on club, coach and player developments with every club we partner with. We want to have a visible and proactive presence with all clubs and, likewise, them with us. That is really, really important.

“We want to work on coach education workshops, players coming into our environment, and vice versa; everyone working closely together.”

Emerson said: “The main focus of these partnerships is to expand our relationships around the city to clubs and to help contribute to as many positive environments for kids to be able to play football and grow.

“From that, the aim is that as many players as possible can push on into the League of Ireland and the Women’s National League set-ups, and hopefully to then go on to play for Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

“We think all clubs will benefit and, by extension, that all players involved will benefit.”

Belvedere FC Chairperson John Hayden said: “We are really delighted to be involved with another north inner-city club like ourselves and one that we already have a lot of history with.

“We have had a lot of players who have come through the ranks at Belvedere who have gone on to play for Bohs and it is great that we are in a position to build on that relationship.

“You look at the likes of Keith Buckley and Derek Pender – they are players who came through our club who went on to become legends at Bohs. That is a huge motivation for us to see players develop from a young age at Belvedere to go on to play for Bohs.

“It is a massive positive to now have that pathway to League of Ireland football. It’s not something we have had for a long time. It is hugely important for players and parents.”

Castleknock Celtic Club Secretary Tony Jordan said: “This partnership model will provide pathways for our members – both coaches and players – to move to League of Ireland football with many benefits flowing from it.

“We have invested heavily in the growth of girls participation at Castleknock Celtic, offering girls football from Academy upwards. We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership creates for the further expansion of our girls football programme.

“These benefits include the raising of coaching standards through collaboration between the Bohemian FC academy and Castleknock FC coaches.

“We look forward to the collaboration that will take place at workshops and coaching sessions, which will benefit his club’s coaches at all levels.

“Given both clubs have Football for All (FFA) sections which are now participating in the newly-formed DDSL FFA league, FFA coaches will cooperate to maximise their effectiveness on behalf of their players with special needs.

“Another significant feature is the focus on child welfare, and I welcome the reintegration process for players who need to move back to CCFC where this proves necessary. This is a win-win for our clubs into the future.”

Phoenix FC Junior Football Lead Robbie Grace said: “Bohs are our local club – they are the biggest club in the country.

“It was a no-brainer. Once we spoke with Craig, it was something we really wanted to do, and now we are really looking forward to getting started.

“A partnership with Bohs will help us attract and retain players, as well as providing the platform for them to progress.

“Our girls section has grown so much now, which is great to see, that it is important, not just for men’s football, but for women’s football too, that we have a strong partner for both boys and girls to progress.”

Bohemians’ change in academy model came following a review of our existing youth structures and partnerships. There are plans in place to grow existing partnerships and build new ones in the near future.

Luke O’Riordan