Next week will see our Foundation Phase Coach, Alex Pike, and Vice Chairman, Zav Austin, visit our thriving Academy in Karachi again.
The pair will head to the Pakistan to see how young players are developing in the South Asian country under the careful tutorage of our talented coaches and training programmes, which mirror those we provide here.
We announced our partnership with Karachi FC back in March last year, with the aim of nurturing the most gifted young footballers in the country.
February’s week-long visit will be the third time Alex and Zav have journeyed to Karachi after setting up the Academy, having initially held trials for more than 300 young boys aged 14 and 15.
They then journeyed back there in May to work with those selected for scholarships.
Speaking ahead of next weeks visit, Alex said: “Our Academy in Karachi has come a long way in such a short space of time, with the young lads developing at a really fast pace, which is fantastic to see.
“Our DNA and values are at the heart of everything we do, and this is helping us provide the platform young players need to showcase their talents in a country that is pretty much untouched in footballing terms.
“We work closely with our coaches over there, and our forthcoming visit provides us with another opportunity to continue developing them, which is a crucial part of our aims and objectives.”
Since setting up the Academy last year, players are now coached three days a week by our coaches, with some youngsters already selected to represent their country at youth level.
Swindon Town Vice Chairman, Zav Austin, said: “I’m really excited to embark on the next phase of our journey in Karachi.
“Alex will be working with our Lead Coach out there to continue developing his and the players skillset, with plans in place to bring him back to Wiltshire as part of his education.
“This is a really exciting time and I’m absolutely certain this project will continue to go from strength to strength, playing a pivotal part in helping some young talents in the country realise their footballing ambitions.”
