Graduating Youth Class Looks to Make Impact at Senior Level

Achieving Tamworth Phoenix’s first Junior playoff berth in 2010 and again in 2011, becoming a dominant force in the BAFA Junior central with two team members representing Great Britain, the youth class of 2011 is arguably the most successful yet.

However, after graduating from the junior team the group is looking to step up to the senior’s. They are now facing the challenge of squaring off against some of the best adult players in the country instead of 16 to 19 year olds and have the prospect of playing alongside former coaches.  This is something they will be well prepared for, with what players have described as the “extensive knowledge” and “experience of real game situations” derived through the youth setup and their coaches. The junior level has given them a football education which has already been taken to heights such as the BUAFL Championship game in the case of Portsmouth student Gareth Knox, and now will take them on to the BAFANL Premiership.

Alongside the coaching experience and good memories taken from their time in the team, the years of junior Phoenix football with Head Coach Dave Winter casting the group as the beaten up younger brother fighting against more affluent and larger teams.  The team has often been likened to the Dallas Cowboys the team has forged a strong football brotherhood with a real sense of unity within the team where the players fight for each other.

Now firmly having the black and orange of the club running through their veins, the players seem to be ready to move on from the youth team and let the next generation rise through. Although somewhat saddened to leave the good times behind the call of senior football has been heard.

Written by: John Winter (Including thoughts of Phoenix Youth class of 2011).