There was a glimpse of the future at the Oxford United training ground on Tuesday evening when our new scholars for 2019 took a look around their new home.
The new scholars will spend the next two years playing in the Oxford United youth team and continuing their education within the classroom at the training ground and on Tuesday they were invited with their parents to meet staff and take a look around.
The new scholars for 2019 are:
Damian Niemczycki - a goalkeeper who has previously spent time at Arsenal
Callum Crook - a striker from Oxford who joined the club as an under 14
Jack Gardner - a midfielder who joined the academy in the under 13s
Tyler Goodrham - another local midfielder who has already played in the under 18s
Trey Grant - a right back signed from Crystal Palace
Sam Johnson - a left back who has been in the Norwich City Academy for seven years
Keanu Barnett-Grant - a six foot three centre-back from Coventry
Academy Manager Dan Harris told us:
“It was a great evening. The players are really excited about the challenge but we also value the contribution that their families have played; the hours on the touchline, the miles driven to training and to games and we want them to feel like the boys are joining the Oxford United family. Our emphasis is on helping them become the best young men they can be, as well as the best player possible.
“They had a chance to look round, meet everyone and talk about everything from training, safeguarding and education to sports science, social media and the values that we hope they learn over the next two years.
“They each have a programme to stick to over the summer and then they report back on July 1st and we start preparing for what I am sure will be another really strong season for all our age groups."