FORMER Jersey Wanderers FC utility player James Quérée has settled in well to his new life at AFC Bournemouth.

Six months into his two-year scholarship with the south coast club, the 16-year-old continues to work hard towards his dream of becoming a full-time professional.

A product of the Jersey Football Association’s Centre of Excellence, the former La Moye and Les Quennevais School pupil said: ‘It’s a learning experience and one I’m grateful to have.

I’m really enjoying it; I was homesick at the beginning but now I’ve settled down it’s much, much better.

‘I’m really pleased with everything.

I’m settled with a family and training and the coaching is excellent.

There is also a lot of competition for places with three centre backs and two left and two right backs.

‘I’ve played a few times at right back but I much prefer to play in the middle.

There are a lot of dedicated and committed players around me too, we all have the same target of becoming professionals.

‘College is good too and it helps break up the week.

When I came last July I was relatively fit and I did not find the step up too hard.

‘I came out top in the bleep test against all the under-18s so I was very happy with that.

Previously when I went away with Jersey teams I felt we always did fairly well.

I don’t think there is a big gap in the standard of play but there is a huge difference with teams being a lot more technical here.

‘We work hard on the technical side, especially on set pieces whether we are attacking or defending.’ Short-term the former St Ouen under-14 player is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

He is looking to learn with each game and, hopefully, play a key r™le for his team in every match they play.

‘I know what I have to do and I’m working hard towards it,’ he said.

‘I must be more confident and relaxed when I’m on the ball because the game is quick and if you get caught in possession you get punished.

‘My work-rate is good, I can read situations and I know I’m lucky to be here.

My mother and father have been very supportive and I would not have had this opportunity without the time, help and effort that Ricky Weir has given me.’ Joe Roach, Head of Youth at Bournemouth, said: ‘James has adjusted fairly well; it’s been difficult for him to adapt having lived in Jersey but I think he is over all that now.

‘I’ve been impressed with his attitude and I believe attitude is above and beyond technical ability.

He trains well and when we do fitness tests he is always first or second.

‘He is self critical but he shouldn’t be because he always does the best he can.

One thing he does find hard is not having a game every week which is something he had when he was in Jersey.

‘We have seven defenders to look at so there are gaps.

That’s the system we operate and it’s the same for everyone.

James is back following the seasonal break, I’m sure he will remain focused and we’ll be looking for him to progress.’ Lack of club funding means that all Quérée’s year age-group players have to look for sponsorship, the youngster is currently sponsored by London company Venues and Distinction.

Quérée said: ‘I’m proud of my roots and it would be fantastic to have a sponsor with a Jersey connection.’ The teenager was included in a Reserve-team squad for a match against Brighton in October but, unfortunately, the game was postponed.

Bournemouth’s youth structure, which began in 2001, is now bearing fruit.

Five lads who have come through the system are now in and around the first-team, including Jerseyman Brett Pitman.

Roach added: ‘Bournemouth do not have the power to recruit and scout the country for players so a lot of hard work goes into bringing the players in that we can.

‘Youth squad players don’t get paid this season like they did in previous seasons.

A lot of credit has to go to parents and players themselves for the belief they have in what we are doing.

‘In recent games we might have fielded the youngest twin-strikers ever in Brett (18) and Sam Vokes (17).

‘They are products of our youth system and a real selling point for our academy set up and people must remember how young they are.

It’s how they cope that matters and both have done very well in that respect.’