Louvre Group is sponsoring the U12-U14 age groups of the Guernsey FA Academy for a fifth season.

Kevin Gilligan, Managing Director of Louvre Fund Services, said; ‘Last season we saw the introduction of several exciting initiatives, all of which are back for this year. It’s exciting to see this whole set up grow year-on-year, and having a helping hand in that growth is something that we are very proud of.’

Gothia Cup Success

The Louvre Development Academy has kicked off the 2018/19 season, with the current players hoping to follow the tremendous success of Louvre Group supported Guernsey U15 Schoolboy team at the 2018 Gothia Cup in July.

During the play-off stage, the Guernsey team made it to the ⅛ final, where unfortunately their game came to an end. However, the squad played a fantastic tournament and reached further than any Guernsey team has done previously. 

‘I am sure the Guernsey Gothia team will be an inspiration to this year's players who will be hoping to follow in their footsteps this season,’ commented Mr Gilligan.

Developing and Nurturing Young Talent

The Louvre Development Academy provides fantastic opportunities, from the Louvre League of Nations to inter-club matches and even off-island trips, to the youngsters as the coaches nurture their talent. Over the past four seasons, the number of players involved in the Louvre Development Academy has grown. This season currently has 74 players registered across the age groups from the Under 12 through to the Under 14. 

To keep up with the demand of players, the coaching team has also increased and now includes members of the GFA senior representative team andGuernsey FC. This growth demonstrates the quality of coaching that the Development Academy provides.

Coming up this Season

The Louvre League of Nations is back for the 2018 season. Introduced last year, the innovative competition is a 7-a-side tournament combining the Y7 and Y8 and Y9 Development Academy players together to compete for their ‘adopted’ countries. The League of Nations provides players with a different experience as they play against players that they are not normally paired up with.

This season the Louvre Development Academy has identified new opportunities and challenges for the youngsters including inter-Academy fixtures and a weekly Goalkeeper Academy programme. The Louvre Development Academy has confirmed their attendance at a tournament in France and there is also a number of off-island trips in the pipeline that will allow the squad to play different opponents and further develop their ball skills.

Tony Vance, Development Academy Director, says; ‘We have had a positive start to the season so far and the commitment and work ethic of the players has been impressive as they have bought into the coaching philosophy we have established for these age groups.

‘Overall it is evident that the Louvre Development Academy continues to go from strength to strength and remains aspirational for Guernsey’s most talented young players.’

Looking Back Over the Seasons

Over the course of the previous four seasons, the partnership with Louvre has helped deliver some fantastic moments and memories. Including various trips and tours to

• Madrid

• Benidorm 

• France 

• England

• Jersey

The benefit these opportunities gave to the players involved cannot be underestimated, as they provide different challenges to what young players experience on a weekly basis in Guernsey.

Guernsey FA’s Chief Executive Officer, Gary Roberts, reflects on the partnership with Louvre concluding; ‘The GFA greatly appreciates the on-going support that Louvre provides to the Development Academy as without this partnership we would not be in a position to provide the players with the various opportunities that we currently do each season.

‘Once again, the players in the Louvre Academy are fortunate in that they will again be coached and supported in their development by Guernsey’s most well regarded and respected coaches, including those involved with the GFA Senior Representative team and Guernsey FC, which serves as testament to the quality of coaching that the Development Academy players are receiving.’