Athlone Town expands youth academy with new football program

Athlone Town have announced an expansion of their youth academy, adding a competitive youth program for young footballers aged 6 to 14.

In a initiative driven by Valeo Football, an elite global training organisation, the Midlands club aims to nurture future stars by providing a platform for young talent to develop their skills.

The new program will consist of a junior and a pre-academy. The junior academy will cater to players aged 6 to 10 and will introduce the basic skills, while the pre-academy for 11 to 14-year-olds will offer a more advanced training curriculum aimed at preparing them for competitive football.

The club will offer the choice of both full and part-time programs to cater to individual needs and schedules.

This is the latest development in the club's evolution under the stewardship of the US-based Valeo. The partnership, which was announced in February 2023, has seen significant developments in Athlone's youth academy.