THE latest batch of Jersey Football Association Centre of Excellence youngsters have begun their 16-week coaching programme.

Under Centre director Dave Kennedy and ten other coaches, boys’ Year 7, 8 and 9 groups have been busy together with a combined Year 7 and Year 8 girls group.

Kennedy said: ‘Selection was as difficult as ever, some 200 youngsters were put forward by their schools and clubs.

It gets harder every year and that success is down to the standard of football currently being played at grass roots level.

‘It was very tough and 16 members have been chosen for each group and they began early last month.

‘We’ve already worked on passing the ball, control, dribbling and turning and the sessions have been good.

There are lots more aspects of the game to go through and the coaches are all looking forward to their respective r™les.’ Each squad is coached, managed and mentored by a team of qualified and experienced coaches, the majority who gained their qualifications through the JFA Coach Education programme.

FA Level 3 coach Rob Cameron, who has been working closely with Year 9 boys, has joined the Centre this season.

Kennedy added: ‘We are looking to have a substantial games programme and as a result coach Simon Moiani has been appointed assistant director of the Centre.

‘Simon has a lot of potential and he has also shown a natural enthusiasm to work well with all our age groups.

‘With an increase in duties associated with our ongoing work, it seems a natural progression for Simon to become more directly involved in its running.

‘He has been involved for a few seasons now and his expertise and experience in the coaching field, made him the ideal candidate.’ Moiani was interviewed by the JFA for the part-time position which carries a nominal payment.

The squads chosen are: Boys Year 7: Charlie Adams, Naim Bappa, Steve Coelho, Bruno Da Silva, Richard Goncalves, Calvin Haycock, Jack Hinton, William Humphries, Jordan Le Guyader, Liam McCormack, Matti McGhee, Cavaghn Miley, Rhys Noon, Luke Savva, Ben Smylie, Tom Sutton and Matthew Wellman.

Boys Year 8: Nick Carpenter, Norman Carrol, Sam Crabtree, Perry De Caux, Ryan Le Couteur, Marc McKain, Jamie Mourant, Charlie Petulla, Elliot Poole, Matthew Rondel, Bradley Stratford, Richard Streets, John Tardivel, Callum Tingley, Calvin Tingley, Calvin Weir and Marco Zocchi.

Boys Year 9: Jamie Bowkett, Ryan Connan, Ciaran Deveraux, Tom Dines, Paco Fallon, Andrew Gee, Curtis Hinault, George Houzé, Lawrence Hughes, Harrison Jukes, Aiden McGuire, Kamen Nafkha, Josh Richardson, Clayton Romeril, William Southall and Nick Wildman.

Girls Year 7 and 8: Rasheda Belhomme, Sophie Botteril, Hannah Campbell, Anna Fenton, Sophie Fernandes, Sarah Finney, Ciara Giles, Holly Godfray, Alex Kelly, Lucy Le Lièvre, Rachel MainDonald, Courtney McDade, Shannon Ryan, Paige Santos, Lydia Taylor and Stephanie Vibert.

Centre staff are: Dave Kennedy, Simon Moiani, Dave Walsh, Rob Cameron, Billy McEwan, Paul Brannan, Katrina Tannahill, Rebecca Bichard, Michael Horman, Steve Proffitt, Richard Hébert and Jordan Stratford.