Today we can announce that specialist construction materials company Natural Cement, have very kindly donated a selection of water bottles to our Scholarship programme for next season.

The donation allows for each our students to have their own bottle to be used on matchdays and for training.

Academy Manager Thomas McStravick- A massive thank you to everybody at Natural Cement for these water bottles. The donation allows us to offer each student their own bottle for gamedays and training, which will be a great tool in helping keep Covid-19 away as well.

Operations Manager Calum Cullen – This is a great gesture from Natural Cement, having known Jack and Phil for some time now, I know how conscientious they are about keeping people hydrated, and this donation is testament to that. I am sure that each and everyone of our scholars next season will be grateful!

You can find out more about Natural Cement here at http://naturalcement.co.uk/

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We are absolutely delighted to announce that Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC and Bradford College are teaming up to provide a top-class football academy for aspiring 16-18 year old male and female footballers.

We have been reviewing our Academy provision since the early ending of last season. This  detailed review has been taken with input from the clubs main stakeholders and then underpinned with a clear vision of what we fundamentally believe a leading community Academy program should deliver in terms of footballing and academic education. At the centre of this is a the sense of responsibility we have to our students and their development as young adults. With the help of Robert Clunas of the Horsfall Community Trust and the input of our Academy Manager, Bradford College were identified as being the perfect partner to offer the best learning environment with the broadest range of courses to suit all learning levels and interests.

The academy will provide a full-time football training and games programme alongside full-time education from September this year.

Asa Gordon, Assistant Principal at Bradford College, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to engage young people in education and sport, combining football and study in a full-time environment.”

Players will have access to GPS data, match analysis and a potential pathway into professional football – all under the supervision and guidance from experienced UEFA qualified professional coaches.

As well as potentially becoming footballers, the academy will also offer pathways to other areas of the football profession as healthcare, sports science, management and coaching. Alongside the football training side, a range of courses at Bradford College across different curriculum areas will be available to choose from and will cater for a wide range of educational needs. 

All football activity will take place at the Horsfall Community Stadium on the state-of-the-art 4g surface while the education will be based at Bradford College campuses. 

Tom McStravick, BPA Academy Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bradford College to deliver a top-quality education provision alongside a five-star football service for young males and females. This partnership will ensure we are able to provide a high-quality scholarship programme like no other for the local people. I’m looking forward to working together to ensure a long a fruitful relationship.

Beverly Fox, Head of Professional Services & Leisure at Bradford College, said: “Through this partnership, we are offering young people with a passion for the sport a unique opportunity to create exceptional careers in the field and join a new generation of football heroes.”

Anyone wishing to trial for the academy should get in touch with Tom McStravick on 07821579451 or email thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com

Demand is high for places in the Bradford Park Avenue Academy Scholarship programme. The academy is set to host a trial day on Monday 21st December at the Horsfall Community Stadium with a limited number of spaces in our scholarship programme for 2021/22 available. Academy Manager Thomas McStravick is looking forward to the day; 

“We have been delighted with the response in our trial day. Places in our scholarship programme are set to be very competitive as we look for players with the hunger and desire to be the best that they can be.”

In attendance to run their eye over the young talent on show will be first team management duo Mark Bower and Danny Boshell. They will be joined by a host of scouts from top Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

The Academy will be running trials for the Women’s academy in February. If you are interested please email Academy Manager Thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC Academy are delighted to announce that we will be running our very own ‘Halloween Soccer Skills Camp’ at the Horsfall Stadium.

• Sample our academy coaching philosophy
• Play at the Horsfall stadium
• Open to all 6-14 year olds
• Special guests from top professional Premier League clubs
• Improve your skills and game understanding

Learn about the #BPAway and be part of our DNA. Sign up today to avoid disappointment. Limited spaces available. To book complete the online registration via the link below or scan the QR code.

https://forms.gle/mQXgsQK8tW163aSN8

There has been a change at the top of our academy structure with Thomas McStravick replacing the out going Alex Cross. With immediate effect McStravick has taken over as the Academy manager at BPAFC after the club acted to swiftly to the resignation of previous incumbent Alex Cross.

McStravick has joined Bradford (Park Avenue) from the famous Leeds United academy where he coaches of one of their elite academy sides at Thorpe Arch and also their community project development manager. Thomas already holds his UEFA A licence and previously set up a successful academy in Northern Ireland.

Martin Knight, BPAFC –

‘We are extremely sad to see Alex leave the club, he is a very talented coach, which he demonstrated in the few sessions he took, over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately Alex handed in his notice to me 4 weeks ago and although we tried to accommodate some of his frustrations ultimately were unable to create the environment that he felt would’ve allowed him flourish. The measure of the man was that Alex worked diligently, whilst we moved quickly behind the scenes to find equally talented replacement that shared our footballing DNA and ensured that the whole of the academy didn’t suffer from any interruption of service or change of ideals. We were delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Thomas during the interview process, he comes with a glowing CV and most importantly has developed an academy previously with successful results. We hope that Thomas enjoys a challenge and that the culture here is one that allows him to succeed again’

Thomas McStravick –

“I am delighted to join such an historic football club with a rich history in English football. I’m very humbled to be appointed in such an important role within the club and excited to help, along with the other staff, build a bright future. The project is an exciting one and I’m looking forward to doing my bit to support the club in the long journey ahead. Building a successful and sustainable project takes time, patience and a lot of effort.”  

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Due to the on-going Coronavirus pandemic and taking into consideration the advice from the UK government all future academy trials will be postponed.

However Bradford (Park Avenue) are still looking to recruit both male and female 16 to 18-year for the clubs Academy sides for the 2020/21 season.

The club is looking to find players for:

• The Men’s Academy Squad
• The Ladies’ Academy Squad
• The Under 19’s Squad

If you would like to register your interested please complete the below registration form and email this to Des Hazel – desmond_hazel@hotmail.com

Academy Trial 2020 Registration Form