ABERYSTWYTH Town FC is stepping up its efforts to ensure that local young talent progresses through to its first team.

After extensive consultation between all stakeholders, the Club has announced a number of substantive changes to the way in which its Under 19s development squad will operate from next season.

The changes were instigated at Board level and in-coming chairman, Donald Kane emphasised that the Club was committed to providing local players with the chance to train and play in the first team.

“The new 3G pitch has provided us with the perfect opportunity to make this happen, and that is precisely what we intend to do,” commented the Aber chairman.

“Towards the end of last season we were delighted to see the Under 19s regularly training with the first team, and we saw the benefits this brought to all involved.”

The Club made three new appointments to ensure its ambitious plans are given every opportunity to come to fruition.

Former Swansea City player and ex-Aber Town captain Bari Morgan, who has latterly been the Penrhyncoch coach, has been appointed as Under 19s manager and Iwan Roberts, ex-Aber Reserves and Penryncoch player, will be his assistant.

Together they bring a wealth of experience which will benefit the development of the young players in their charge.

Supporting Roberts and Morgan will be former University Sports Director and Aberystwyth University First Team Coach, Frank Rowe in his position as the Under 19s Director of Player Development.

At a well-attended meeting held at the Club, players and parents listened to a presentation from the Under 19s management team detailing their vision for the squad, with a Q&A session afterwards.

Morgan said: “Local players will be provided with the best opportunity I have seen in my 15 years associated with the Club to progress through the Academy into first team football at Aberystwyth.

“With a small playing squad and Under 19s regularly sitting on the bench, it isn’t difficult to envisage a situation where boys are getting invaluable Welsh Premier experience both on and off the bench.”

Roberts also underlined the importance of “seeing local boys putting on the green and black shirt, thereby bolstering local interest and support for the Club.”

Amongst the many changes, a highly-competitive and comprehensive fixture list is being offered, with matches being held at many of the best venues in Wales.

A number of friendlies against professional clubs are also being lined up, with the Shrewsbury Town Academy visiting Park Avenue in a pre-season friendly.

The Under 19s will have the opportunity to train and play alongside the first team, with those of a sufficient standard receiving game time in the Welsh Premier.

“The profile and prestige of representing the Under 19s will be enhanced through a range of measures,” commented Director of Player Development, Frank Rowe.

“We are fully-committed to helping each individual develop as a player, to their full potential. Players will receive a structured coaching programme during their time with us and regular feedback on their training and game performance.

“Obviously not all players will get to first team standard, but we can guarantee that with the right commitment from players and a willingness to learn, we can provide the environment to maximise their potential as football players.”