A glance at the Swindon Towns youth team, and first team squad, show that a number of the current crop has all graduated through the clubs Centre of Excellence.

Michael Pook has progressed from the Centre of Excellence through to becoming a first team regular for two years.

The likes of Ben Wells, Ashton Holgate, David Stroud and Leigh Henry have all played earned professional contracts. So this is an area that the club taken very seriously.

The Centre of Excellence offers the chance for children from the age of 9-16 to develop the their football talent, under the guidance of qualified coaches and organised fixture with other professional clubs in the area.

Children are selected for the Centre Of Excellence if they show ability, attitude and potential in the game, and may have been selected after impressing during their local games, in which our network of scouts have recommended them to us.

All of our coaches of the Centre Of Excellence are qualified in coaching, first aid, and child protection and a few of the coaches are former players.

The Teams

U7/8-Development Centre - Ian Howell

U9- Tom Hartley / John Hathaway

U10 - TBC

U11 - TBC

U12 - Sean Pocock / Gary Norman

U13 - Mark Collier / Chris Griffin

U14 - Ian Palmer / Paul Swindall

U15 - Ian Howell

U16 - Dave Warren / Paul Bodin

U18 - Jeremy Newton

If you want more details on the centre of excellence whether its various, trials, training or anything else please contact Jeremy Newton, Centre Of Excellence Co-ordinator, on 01793 333724.