On the 'Youth Academy' page you will find

information on how the Academy operates,

along with details of the 2006-2007 programme

Tim Wareing

Youth AcademyDirector

Youth Academy

Sponsor

David Graham

Structures

Here is the latest update from Youth Team Manager & Youth Academy Director, Tim Wareing

'It's been a very busy time for me as the first 10 week training cycle comes to an end with the Academy. We are now making the final preparations as we enter two teams into the South Belfast Mini-Soccer League at Under 9 level. We announced the Under 9 panel last Sunday. The children were ecstatic at being selected to represent Lisburn Distillery at youth level. It was lovely sight to see the kids celebrating. They have all worked so hard and should be commended.

The action kicks off today (7 October) at the YMCA pitches on Knightsbridge Park, Stranmillis. It continues there every Saturday from 10am-12pm, your support is welcome! Come along & support the next generation of players!

We also continue to train the Under 8s and the Pre-Development squad of 5 and 6 year-olds.

The standard has been very high and things seem to have come together over the past couple of weeks. It's very enjoyable working with the children, they are full of energy and have a strong desire to learn. We have seen the youngest group (5 and 6 year-olds) perform over lapping runs and display good positional play.

Thank you for your continued support."

Yours in sport

Tim Wareing
Academy Director
Lisburn Distillery Football Club

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Update - 210806

"Pre-season continues for our Under 18's as we prepare for our opening League game on Saturday 9 September. From our last update we have played two practice games and one friendly. The Castlereagh Colts friendly didn't work out too well as there were difficulties with the changing facilities and the pitch. In the end the friendly amounted to no more than a training match, this was very disappointing for us.

Agape provided us with a training match at Victoria Park. This gave me opportunity to see some new faces perform in a match. We played some great football & comfortably won the game 5-1.

Last Thursday (17 August) we played Sporta U18's at the Billy Neill Playing Fields and they gave us a great game. The game at times was scrappy, as both sides continued to build on their match fitness, although there was some nice football played occasionally by the young Whites. New signing, Allan Coates, from Linfield, has had a great pre-season. His qualities shone through as he controlled the centre of the park, spraying some lovely cross field balls & supporting the attack. It was Coates who scored the second goal from the penalty spot after Neale McLarnon had equalised from a great team goal. Straight after we scored the penalty another was awarded at the other end. On this occasion Stuart Magill pulled off a fantastic save. Central midfielder, Daryl Finlay, scored a third to secure the game.

Our next friendly takes place this Saturday (26 August) against Ballymena United III's at the Showground's (kick-off 2.00 pm).

The Academy trials are into their fourth week. Currently we have a pre-development squad for 5 & 6 year-olds, an Under 9s and an Under 10s. We have been coaching the boys at a very high standard and the effort and work rate has been very impressive. We are working hard behind the scenes to get a quality team both on and off the pitch.

It's an exciting time as we look to promote youth and develop our work in the community. It's great to get such support from the Club. Last Saturday (19 August) we had a promotion in Forestside Shopping Centre in conjunction with the children's charity, 'Make a Wish'. Paul Kirk, Phil Matthews, James Bell, Gary Spence, Aaron Johnston and Stuart Magill all came to support the launch and the charity. I would like to thank them for their support and time, especially before such a big game.

Thank you for your continued support."

Tim Wareing

Youth Team Manager & Youth Academy Director.

Initial Update - 120806

"The Under 18's reported back for pre-season training on 18 July. We have a lot of fresh faces in the squad to replace the players who have made the step up to the reserve team. The work rate & effort from the lads in training has been excellent. We are playing are first pre season friendly today (12 August) against a side that I'm very familiar with, Castlereagh Colts.

I set up the team in 1997 when we entered the Dundonald League at Under 11. After 2 seasons we moved to the South Belfast League. I took the team up to Under 16 level before they fed through to the senior team. It was a fantastic learning experience for me. I organised friendlies against a series of Academies in England & Scotland. We played against the likes of Rangers, Leeds United & Fulham. Against the latter we recorded an impressive 2-0 victory. During this time I achieved my UEFA European B Licence & started working towards my UEFA European A Licence. That is when I got the opportunity to come to Lisburn Distillery. So I'll look forward to meeting some old friends today.

After today we play Agape (15 August), Orangefield (24 August - TBC), Ballymena III (26 August) & Bangor Rangers (31 August). That will lead us up nicely to a first IPL Youth League game on Saturday 2 September.

We have also been very busy in setting the Academy up. We hope to enter 2 Under 9 teams into the 7-a-side Mini Soccer in the South Belfast League along with an Under 10's. We also have a pre-development squad of 5 & 6 year olds that will work on a weekly basis. Over the next 6 years we will see a new youth team each season so that we will have teams from Under 9 to Under 18.

The importance of having a successful youth set up now a days is a must. Previously players like Stuart Thompson, Gary Spence & Aaron Johnston have all come through the ranks & now are all part of the first team squad. That demonstrates the rewards of having an Academy. It's going to take time before we see the benefits but it's important that we lay the foundations & look to develop. I would like to say a big thank you to Paul Kirk & the board who have been very supportive in helping to put this in place. Ged Irwin has also given a lot of time & effort to the project and finally a big thank you to our sponsors G & H Bell Ltd.(Youth Team) & David Graham Structures (Youth Academy).

My other role as Academy Director is launching 'Whites in the Community'. I will be offering school's in Lisburn free coaching programmes. We will also be organising Disability Football & look to develop relations with local clubs. Hopefully we will see many youth teams & youth groups visiting the ground to see a game & take part in the half time Mini Soccer displays on the pitch.

More information will follow in the next few weeks."

Tim Wareing

Youth Team Manager & Youth Academy Director.