A Football Education
GOALKEEPER Tyler Coombes has proof in his gloves of the opportunities available to players across the Plymouth Argyle system.
Tyler was originally part of the Home Park Academy for a number of years before returning to grassroots football but a place in the education programme with Argyle Community Trust has ensured the young glovesman has remained on the Pilgrim radar.
Coaches with the Academy and Trust work closely together to identify and nurture talent through all age groups, with Tyler providing evidence that the door remains open for elite players, as he has made the step up from the education programme to play in the EFL Youth Alliance over recent weeks.
“Tyler was in our Academy system for years,” said Academy Director Kevin Hodges. “He was released at the age of around 14 but has continued playing football and ended up in the education programme with Argyle Community Trust, which is a route a number of our boys take.
“It is fantastic to keep people in the system and close to the club. We’ve got a midfielder, Ben Musslewhite, in the education programme, who has played a few games for us in the Peninsula League.
“It keeps people in the shop window and, if they continue making progress, the example of Tyler and Ben shows that players will be given opportunities.”
The education programme with Plymouth Argyle allows young people to combine academic studies with the life of a professional footballer. The Trust have programmes running from Home Park and at Carn Brea in Cornwall.
Discover more about the education programme with Argyle Community Trust
“Tyler has been a pleasure to coach and teach on the education development programme, from the day he set foot in the building,” said Post-16 education manager Lee Britchford.
“He is a confident and outgoing character who displays excellent leadership qualities on the football pitch, which, combined with his talent as a goalkeeper has seen him make some significantly important contributions with his performances this season.
“He is fully deserving of the opportunities that he is gaining with the youth team and will no doubt continue to progress as a player, with his positive attitude and desire to improve.”
Recruitment for the September 2019 intake on our education programme is now well under way and the Trust will be holding an open evening in the family stand at Home Park on Monday, January 21 from 6pm, entrance is through turnstile 21.
For more information on the education programme and the Trust open evening, please contact Lee on lee.britchford@pafc.co.uk