Dom Welsh previews the upcoming season…
Tonbridge Angels highly anticipated return to the Kent Youth League (KYL) is now just two weeks away. Wink Tomkinson met up with Head of Youth, Dom Welsh, to see how things are shaping up ahead of the big kick-off.
DW: It’s been fantastic to see the progress made already. From the trial process, early sessions to pre-season fixtures, the squads are looking good. It’s been a really proud moment to see all the squads training here at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
WT: Are our squads complete or are there places to be filled in any of the teams?
DW: The squads are nearly there, the U16 squad is complete. However, the U13, U14 and U15’s are looking to add some quality to their respective squads. It has been really important for us to bring in the right players to flourish in this environment.
WT: How important is KYL football going to be in the creation of a pathway at Tonbridge Angels?
DW: It is for certain that it adds quality to the pathway we can offer and with oversight from myself it’s great to be able to see early signs of the pathway in full effect. We have had six U16’s play fixtures either within the U18 or U19 squads already in pre-season, which is fantastic at such an early stage. Only time will tell how successful we have been in creating a positive pathway, but the early signs are really good.
WT: Aside from players, there is a completely new set of coaches, how are they settling into their roles?
DW: I cannot praise the coaches enough. The amount of time they are putting in outside of their roles is phenomenal, from sorting their own squads to supporting each other. The interaction between all the coaches and the bond between them is amazing. All of the coaches, as well as myself, have already met to discuss the season ahead, so they have all definitely bought into the club and the pathway. The planning for each and every session or fixture is meticulous.
WT: How is success going to be measured this season and do you anticipate this changing going forward?
DW: I think the obvious answer for most would be winning, but we will absolutely look beyond that. Our first absolute must is to develop every single player we spend time coaching, so that whatever moment in their journey they leave us, they should leave a better player, and more importantly, a better person as a result of how we operate. Beyond individual player development, will almost certainly be the pathway; finding the next first team player or even supporting a player into professional football elsewhere. We will ensure every child enjoys being a part of their team and plays football in an enjoyable environment.
WT: What interaction has there been with Craig Nelson in regard to the KYL and its pathway?
DW: It has been really positive. Craig has shown real interest, being really approachable for all of our coaches and players. There has been a presence from first team staff within the sessions, notably Bryan Nzinga, who has been a regular spectator within KYL training since the start of pre-season and Sheikh Ceesay has also started delivering sessions to our goalkeepers, which shows a fantastic interest from the senior men’s management.
WT: Thank-you Dom, we wish everybody involved a great season and look forward to catching up with you again in a couple of months for an update.
