Robina City scores West Ham academy deal

Written on the 7 December 2015 by Consulting Hall, my HR and PR advisers

Robina City Soccer Club has scored an international coup after being appointed as an official training academy for English Premier League giants West Ham United.

Robina City Soccer Club president Paul Rushton said the appointment as an official West Ham United International Academy would allow the club to embrace West Ham's renowned coaching methods within the club

"West Ham United Football Club has one of the most respected youth academies in world football, producing many players who have gone on to play at the very top level of professional football,'' said Mr Rushton.

"Robina City has established the International Academy to further develop our players and provide a pathway for their playing futures."

Under the International Academy deal, Robina City will offer technical development programs for players aged six and above.

"The Advanced Player Pathway will cost players $50 per month and will provide intermediate and advanced coaching levels for the beginner through to more advanced players,'' said Mr Rushton.

"The pathway will be overseen by Jason Buchanan who is accredited with the West Ham International Academy. Jason played for Scotland national youth teams on 33 occasions between the ages of 16 and 19 and was a full-time professional footballer with Dundee FC and Hibernian FC in the Scottish Football League."

During the season Robina will host a special West Ham United camp and juniors who impress will be invited to a national residential camp in July with Tony Carr and the rest of the West Ham United Academy Coaches.

"Players who stand out at the national camp will be invited to the experience of a lifetime - 10 days at the West Ham United Academy in London,'' said Mr Rushton.
Robina City Soccer Club will start taking player registrations on January 23 next year.

Mr Rushton said it was an exciting time for the club, with football overtaking swimming as the most popular sporting activity among Australian children.

"New findings from Roy Morgan Research show that one in two children aged between six and 13 years are now playing soccer,'' he said.  

"The latest Roy Morgan Research Young Australians Survey also shows that for the first time, more girls are now playing football than netball."

The club's main sponsor, Tony Stark of the Hinterland Group, said he was proud to continue supporting the club.

"The Hinterland Group is a local Gold Coast business with our main Toyota brand dealership being based out of the centre of Robina, therefore we are really proud to be able to be the main sponsor of the club and give back to the community in this way,'' Mr Stark said. 

"It's fantastic to see soccer now becoming the fastest growing sport amongst children in Australia and we are thrilled to be able to assist the club deliver real benefits and opportunities for the kids."