Worthing
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have 4-6 starting players in the 17-20 age bracket. So we
are declaring that a success too and a great foundation
for next season.
We have now turned our attention to the summer and
making sure we retain the majority of our 1st team and
recruit strategically. We have a few post season charity
based friendlies to fulfil which will give us the chance to
play some of our U18s/U16s with the 1st Team.”
Youth
“Youth development is incredibly important to us
which is why we have invested as above this season.
Financially, and geographically, we are not in a position
to build a squad around older more established players.
Philosophically we don’t believe in this model either, it is
only sustainable as long as there are wealthy individuals
backing the club.
Our view is to build around the best talent in the
region (Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire) and to really grow
our own as it were through the Youth and Academy
structures. For long periods of this season the average
age of the starting line up in our 1st Team was under 21.
We pride ourselves on giving opportunities to talented
youngsters.
Not only is it more sustainable but it links back to the
point about connectedness when fans can relate to the
lads playing in front of them because they went to school
with them, or they know of them from other schools or
youth teams or academies in the region.
Our 1st Team Manager, Adam Hinshelwood and his
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team, directly coach the Youth and Academy squads
instilling the same values, technical standards and
footballing patterns and philosophies as they do with
the 1st team. This creates familiarity and understanding,
which is increased when they occasionally train alongside
the Senior squad and join them for video analysis
sessions. When they do step up, then yes it can be nerve
wracking but at least they have some foundations and
relationships to draw upon.”
Community
“Being a community club is the core of our vision.
Adam and the various coaches and managers throughout
the Club exist to develop players, develop squads and
ultimately move the Club on from a football perspective.
I see a major part of my role, now that we have
established that structure and philosophy, is to really
strengthen the links to the town of Worthing. This year
we implemented junior mascots to lead out the team
at every home game, invited from local youth teams
to come along in their club colours and we are now
oversubscribed. The feedback from parents, coaches
and players is only very positive.
We build relationships with many local charities who
come along on matchdays to promote their cause and
to raise funds. We recreated a match played 100 years
ago between 1st World War Wounded soldiers and
a Worthing Ladies XI (to raise funds for local charity
‘Care for Veterans’). Our club house is used by various
local groups from Board Game Societies, to Business