Swindon Town U18s end their pre-season journey with a 3-0 loss to U18s Premier League South side West Brom at Palm Training Ground.
Although the match ended in defeat, lead professional development phase coach Sean Wood was "pleased to see the togetherness during moments of adversity."
He continued: "Pre-season has seen many challenges for the boys and myself on and off the pitch.
"We have played four men’s teams and a category 1 academy; these physical challenges and experiences will set us up for the season ahead."
Wood also described what preparations have been like for the U18s, with values and targets a key factor for the young Town players and staff:
"Off the pitch, we have looked at continuing to develop boys in our environment who live by our academy and club values.
"We do this by creating habits and behaviours to help create proficient performers and curious learners on the pitch.
"Naturally, pre-season has been very demanding physically for the players but their attitude and application towards developing their athletic versatility has been infectious."
Wood was appointed the role of lead professional development phase coach earlier this year and is excited to start the new role, as he looks to build into a successful season starting next week.
"During the off-season, I took on this new role with the U18s after working within the academy for the last 17 years and I can't wait to start.
"It was an honour and privilege to be given this new opportunity within the Swindon academy and I’m looking forward to working with such a talented group of players.
"We are all looking forward to the first game of the season at Exeter away next weekend.
"We have had our first normal week in terms of training and off-field activities.
"We will prepare for the first league fixture and look forward to starting the competitive element of league and cup action during the 2023/24 season."
Town’s youth team now look forward to the first game of the season against Exeter City U18s in the Youth Alliance League.
Swindon Town: Evans, Milne, Hunt, Tombs, Adams, Stewart, Alston, Keyes, McGregor, Hubbard (C), Kanu
Subs – Obdodo, Nwakenzie
