Yorkshire Amateur Academy’s new Head of Recruitment Eray Altinoluk pinpoints ‘character’ as a key attribute when scouting potential new players ahead of a busy period for recruitment coinciding with the current season’s forthcoming conclusion.
Altinoluk’s immediate schedule looks busy, working alongside the Academy’s ongoing trial dates, keen to recruit new players prior to the start of pre-season.
This is compounded by the Academy’s expansion next season, adding younger age groups to the current structure.
“They need to be coachable,” began Altinoluk. “We need the most talented players but at the same time, we’re looking for good characters.
“This is an important time now because if we make the contact [with players] now, then they have a full pre-season with us.
“The grassroots and JPL seasons are nearly finished and we’ve seen so many players this season that would be amazing for us, and with pre-season with us, I can’t imagine how good they will be”.
Altinoluk believes he’s prepared in being able to build a squad of players for the new younger age group sides the Academy are adding next season, a vast knowledge of potential players built from his experience as the Director of Grassroots Football within the National League.
His reputation has continued to rise within his current coaching role with the Academy’s u15s in their debut season, which he relates to his new role.
“[Farsley Celtic juniors] are always the team to beat in grassroots football,” continued Altinoluk. “We have really talented players there.
“I’m not looking just for u16s, u15s, we will have so many age groups from next season.
“It’s similar to what we’ve done with this u15s team, now very successful, as you saw in the game today – huge characters coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
“We didn’t have any players at the start of the season. We then selected players from trials and added further from scouting at matches”.
The Academy’s U11 – U14 trial dates have been confirmed as April 4th & April 11th at Trinity Academy Leeds. The u11s & u12s’ sessions runs between 6pm – 7:30pm whilst the u13s and u14s follow directly after, 7:30pm – 9pm.
To register for the above trials, complete this form.
To register interest in joining the 16-18 football scholarship & education programme, please email academy@ammers.co.uk , stating your full name, date of birth, email address and phone number.