Dan’s The Man For Avenue | New Head Coach Appointed

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC CIC are pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Whitaker as our new first team head coach.

Danny has an awesome record of success in both his playing and managerial career. He understands player development and has a winning mentality.

He has legendary status at Macclesfield, his last position, and has been in extensive discussions with Tom for a few days about the current position and future opportunities here.

He watched our game on Saturday as a further assessment and starts his new role at training this week.

Danny addresses our wish for a leader who is experienced at, above and below this level. He fully understands our desire to develop young academy players with talent and has good contacts in the game.

Danny will work full time at the club and will be heavily involved in the Academy project.

Please give Danny and the team your full support as they work to take us onwards and upwards.

This Saturday will be Danny’s first game in charge as we face Bamber Bridge. Don’t forget you can welcome him to the club for just £5 entry!

NEW PHYSIO – BRAD SMITH

We are delighted to announce our new physio for the 23/24 season as Brad Smith.

Brad joins the First Team staff following a year working as Academy Medical & Performance Lead. He also stepped up on multiple occasions last season in a First Team role. 

On the signing, Brad said this; 

“After being at the academy full time for the last year, it’s great to be trusted and given the opportunity to make the step up. “

“I got to work with the first team short term last year and they all made me feel welcome. They’re a good set of lads, so it will be a pleasure to get involved more long term, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Club Secretary Calum Cullen also added this;

I’m delighted to get this one over the line, Brad is an outstanding physio which he showed in stepping up last season.“

“We are very lucky to have Brad already in the club and i’m sure he will be a real asset to the First Team this season and beyond.“

ACADEMY SCHOLAR MYLES LA-BASTIDE SIGNS PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT!

We can confirm today that Academy player Myles La-Bastide has today penned his first professional contract with Bradford (Park Avenue), signing a 2 year deal with the club.

Myles first appeared for the First Team in our County Cup match vs Brighouse Town, and made his first league appearance against Chester in February.

Since then, La-Bastide has made 4 starts in our last 4 games, and helped Avenue gain 8 points out of 12, including a goal vs Southport and assisting Harrison Hoppers goal against Banbury.

Speaking on the signing, Scholarship Lead Coach Pat McGuire said;

“Myles has been brilliant since returning to training in August, and has been a trailblazer for the Academy with his stand out performances.”

Myles has worked hard to develop physically and has dealt with the transition to National League football well.“

“He is a very mature and down to earth lad and I’m sure he will continue to push himself to develop over the next two years.

“He’s been a pleasure to work with daily, and all the coaching staff and players at the Academy are delighted to see him earn this contract.”

Academy Technical Director Thomas McStravick also added;

“We are delighted for Myles. He is a great example of someone who has came in, worked hard and remained patient throughout his time here.”

“Myles is a great success story for the academy and is from the first recruitment batch back in 2020.“

“Credit to Brad Smith for bringing him into the club and for the staff Andy Cooper, Pat McGuire and others who have worked with him throughout his time here. The hard work starts now for him and I wish him every success.”

We also spoke to Myles on his signing, you can watch the interview on our YouTube channel below.

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You can also watch Myles’ goal and assist on our YouTube channel below.

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NEW u6’s Junior Skills Centre I Starts 22nd April 2023 🤩

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We are now recruiting for our NEW u6’s at Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy.

The programme will be delivered by our professional coaches at the wonderful Horsfall Community Stadium.

🗓 Saturday 22nd April 2023
⏰ 9am – 10am
👩👦 5 & 6 year old boys & girls
🏟 Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
📧 thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com
🖋 https://forms.gle/NE9aon4LXQ7zjCzQ8

ACADEMY PARTNER WITH GLOBAL ORGANISATION!

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Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy are proud to announce that we have partnered with global GPS provider Fitogether to provide our scholarship teams with cutting edge GPS data for the 2022/23 Season.

Fitogether is a football technology company that specializes in wearable EPTS (Electronic Performance Tracking System). Over 450 clubs in 53 countries are using Fitogether’s solution ‘OHCOACH’, across all levels of football including SS Lazio, Fenerbahce SK, Besiktas JK and Celtic FC. Fitogether is also the official sponsor of the K-League in South Korea supporting all clubs, across multiple levels.

Fitogether has also expanded with new business opportunities such as data analyzation services, scouting reports and NFT content market for fan engagement. Fitogether leads the world trend with advanced data analysis technology and holds the number 1 place for data accuracy in the FIFA Quality Programme. The players’ performance data collected through Fitogether’s solution helps coaches and staff in decision making for better performance and development of players.

Fitogether’s director, Kim Taeryung commented on the cooperation agreement: “We are honoured to be working with a renowned club such as Bradford (Park Avenue). Our strategic partnership with Indulge Football has played a huge part in the introduction of this partnership. The development of football is rapidly growing, and we hope that Fitogether can contribute to the future of Bradford (Park Avenue).

“I believe the recent advancement of football lies in the enhancement of physical performance. We hope that our technology assists the coaches with the improvement of the players,” added Taeryung.

Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy Technical Director, Tom McStravick said of the agreement:  “We are delighted to agree this partnership with Fitogether who, like us, are a progressive and forward thinking organisation. This partnership will allow us to use cutting edge technology to improve our performance and raise the standards within the academy.”

Our Academy are offering trials throughout June & July ahead of next season. To register interest in our BPA Player Pathway please register below.

https://forms.gle/BEHUnBHqYZFW1kJq5

**Due to high demand please allow between 5 working days for a trial date**

| Community | Environment | Opportunity |

#CEO2022 

Integra Insurance Solutions Sponsor BPA Primary Schools Cup Initiative 🏆

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Over 240 primary school children are set to take part in the inaugural BPA Primary Schools Cup tournament at the Horsfall Community Stadium on 31st March 2022. Interest in the tournament has been extremely high and is now fully subscribed with 10 teams on the waiting list.

The young stars of the future will grace the same pitch used by the current Bradford (Park Avenue) first team. Twenty-four schools from across Bradford will get the opportunity to play at the stadium and experience the state of the art 4g pitch. The inaugural event will become part of the annual plan at Bradford (Park Avenue) as the club aims to enhance its role within the local community.

Academy Technical Director Tom McStravick is responsible for bringing this event together commented “This tournament not only provides children with the opportunity to have a fun day out at the stadium, but it also gives our Academy Scholars the chance to take ownership of a project and gain experience of event planning and organisation. We’re proud of the facilities that we have on offer and hope that we can unearth some of the stars of the future. Who knows we might even see the next Kevin Hector on display.”


Bradford based Integra Insurance Solutions are providing sponsorship for the tournament and welcomed the opportunity to get involved. Managing Director Martin Cox said “Grass roots football is where a love of the sport begins and we’re absolutely delighted to be sponsoring this community based initiative. This will bring children together from all parts of Bradford in what we hope will be the first of many similar tournaments at BPA”.

ACADEMY TRIALS | Friday 27th March 2020

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are running an open trial session for both male and female 16 to 18-year olds in an attempt to find players to join 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

The trials will take place at the University of Bradford training facility, behind the Laisteridge Lane Student Village.

Address:
Laisteridge Lane Student Village Bradford
Laisteridge Lane,
Bradford,
BD5 0NH

The trials will take place from 3-5pm on Friday 27th March 2020.

Please note suitable footwear for 3G playing surface will be required.

If you are interested in attending please complete the below registration form and email this to Des Hazel – desmond_hazel@hotmail.com

Academy Trial 2020 Registration Form

Can’t make this trail? Don’t worry as the club will be hosting trials on the last Friday of every month.

ACADEMY TRIALS | Friday 28th February 2020

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Every month Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hosting open
trails to find young prospects to join the clubs Academy sides for the 2020/21
season.

The trails are open to 16-18-year old male and female players,
as the club is searching for players to join the Men’s and Ladies’ Academies as well as candidates to join our Under 19’s squad.

The trials will take place at the University of Bradford
training facility, behind the Laisteridge Lane Student Village.

The trials will take place from 3-5pm on Friday 28th February 2020.

Please note suitable footwear for 3G playing surface will be required.

Can’t make this trail? Don’t worry as the club will be hosting trials on the last Friday of every month.

Address:
Laisteridge Lane Student Village Bradford
Laisteridge Lane,
Bradford,
BD5 0NH