Rotherham United announces grassroots partnership to help kids into academy football

Rotherham United has announced a new partnership with grassroots football club Treeton Terriers - providing more opportunities for local children to progress to academy teams.
By Claire Lewis
Published 2nd Apr 2021, 11:04 BST
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The partnership, a first for The Millers, will allow the club access to Treeton Terriers training sessions, games and tournaments to scout promising new talent each season.

The move will offer aspiring professional footballers a clear pathway to academy football.

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In return, RUFC will offer Treeton managers top level coaching sessions and help with fundraising activities to keep the club sustainable and to help it continue to grow.

Treeton Terriers chairman James Billson (back row, right) and Rotherham's head of academy recruitment, Scott Duncanson, with some Treeton Terriers youngsters.Treeton Terriers chairman James Billson (back row, right) and Rotherham's head of academy recruitment, Scott Duncanson, with some Treeton Terriers youngsters.
Treeton Terriers chairman James Billson (back row, right) and Rotherham's head of academy recruitment, Scott Duncanson, with some Treeton Terriers youngsters.

Players released from RUFC's academy will also be signposted to Treeton Terriers.

Over recent years, Treeton Terriers has grown from a one-team club to one now boasting a nursery, adult team and 18 junior teams from U7-U16.

It launched its first ever girls only team at the U12 age group this season.

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To officially launch the partnership, Treeton Terriers chairman James Billson and five players from across the club's age groups visited Millmoor to meet Rotherham United s head of academy recruitment, Scott Duncanson.

Announcing the partnership on the club's Twitter page, RUFC said: "Delighted to announce our new partnership with Treeton Terriers.

"We look forward to working with you."

Treeton Terriers chairman James, who is also a current U13 coach, said: "We are really excited to have been chosen as the first grassroots club to enter into such a partnership with Rotherham United.

"The opportunities this offers our players interested in a pathway to academy football is fantastic. It is something to be proud of.

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"Equally, it is good for the development of our coaches, who will be offered extra coaching sessions to take into training and games, so it is a win win.

"We are just proud of the journey our club has been on in just a few years, from having just one team to now having 19 and a nursery. Some of our age groups have three teams as we strive to let as many children as possible play football.

"We just need a few more pitches to keep up with our growth - maybe New York Stadium will be an option one day for some of our Terriers?"

Related topics:Rotherham United