On the same day that Herefordshire born Jarrod Bowen scored a hat-trick in the Premier League for West Ham United, the Herefordshire FA made an announcement that disappointed hundreds of local youngsters and parents.
The closure of the boys development centre, will mean that many young players are now forced to find alternatives to the Hereford FC pathway that the boys development centre offered them.
The HFA said the closure was due to a reduction in funding from the Football Association, affecting local Football Associations across the country.
However, the news hasn’t gone down well with parents on social media, with one grandparent of a player saying the following:
“As the grandparent of one of the players I think this is a retrograde step.
“Any denied opportunity to young people is short sighted.
“Encouraging physical activity is important for healthy bodies and healthy minds. We should be investing in their futures. A sad day.”
Let’s hope that with an announcement like this, that Hereford’s next big talent doesn’t end up in the hands of a Cheltenham Town or Shrewsbury Town.
From the Herefordshire FA:
Herefordshire FA and Hereford FC confirm changes to the HFA Hereford FC DC from the end of this season
Boys centre set to end, with the Girls centre continuing.
In May 2020, the HFA added a Boys Development Centre to its existing Girls Development Centre, which it had operated successfully since September 2015.
The aim of the Player Development Centre is to create a safe, positive football environment for talented players and aspiring coaches, with a participant centred focus. In February 2022, the centre became known as the HFA Hereford FC DC, with 210 boys and girls aged from U10 to U16 playing under the Hereford FC branding and in accordance with the Hereford FC playing philosophy.
Despite the fact the centre has gone from strength to strength, as the HFA approaches its next strategic cycle, we are faced with ongoing financial challenges, as a result of significant funding cuts from the FA, which have affected all small County FAs nationally. To put this into context, since 2018-19, the HFA is now receiving £100,000 less annually, which is a reduction of 37%.
As a result, the HFA Board has competed a detailed review of our activities, in collaboration with the FA, in terms of where our reducing resources are best spent. Following this, the difficult decision has been taken that, from the end of the current season, the HFA will no longer be able to continue to operate the BDC. We can however confirm that, as a result of different requirements in terms of running the GDC and the fact this centre is part of the England Talent Pathway, we are pleased to confirm that the GDC will continue as normal.
Whilst we appreciate this announcement will come as a disappointment to the 100 boys who enjoy representing the centre week in week out, the HFA has been placed in a position where it is clear that, as a result of reducing FA grant income, there is unfortunately no alternative to this outcome.
Whilst attempts have been made to source a suitable local provider to continue operating the centre, unfortunately this has not been possible.
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to all of the coaches, players and parents/guardians who have played a part in making the centre such a huge success.
For any queries, please contact info@herefordshirefa.com
