Meet new youth development manager

“Schoolboy Scene” is Shamrock Rovers Schoolboys new on-line featuring the schoolboy scene. In it's first feature, Schoolboy Scene caught up with Shamrock Rovers FC new youth development manager Stephen Fennell (SF) and asked him a few questions about his role and his thoughts on the future of the schoolboy section.

Q. Well firstly welcome back to Shamrock Rovers FC. How did it come about?
SF: As you know I was with Shamrock Rovers for nearly nine years up until 2007 before moving on to Stockport County to work with Jim Gannon in a scouting capacity in Ireland for 18 months. But during this time I remained a Shamrock Rovers paying member and prior to Christmas I was asked to attend a Shamrock Rovers schoolboy forum which subsequently led me being asked to consider taking a leading role in re-vamping the schoolboy section of the club, which I have accepted.

Q. What is the role of youth development manager?
SF: The role is – to manage the youth development of our players, oversee the football side of our youth section, implementing the technical development plan with a view to maximising the development potential of our young players.

Q. What are your thoughts on the present strengths of the schoolboy section?
SF: There are a lot of tremendous hard-working people involved in all sections from the cubs, u7s to the senior youth teams. Many of our coaches have already begun their coaching badges and I would look to continue that process in addition to inviting more qualified coaches into our club. It is important that we are not seen as a closed shop and indeed I would see our present position as a starting point at a base where we can improve dramatically and quickly. The schoolboy committee is also very hard-working and we need to channel the undoubted enthusiasm that we have in the right direction.

Q. How do you propose to improve the schoolboy structure?
SF: Shamrock Rovers is the only club in Ireland with the stature, potential structures and huge support base to be a future regular Champions League participant based in Ireland. With that in mind we need to have a total emphasis on proper technique development so that for future years we can possibly have a home-grown talent base of players that are equipped to play Champions League football for Shamrock Rovers FC in Tallaght. To begin this we are commencing an academy in the summer from u7s to u15s with a dedicated coaching team led by a coaching academy director. In our academy we are constructing a fully-fledged coaching program that will be the envy of all clubs with technique and mastery of the ball cornerstones in our education programs. We will also be conducting monthly seminars for our coaches and players with new resource materials and tools available to players and parents alike.

Q. You have been here three weeks - What progress have you made so far?
SF: Progress has been excellent and I have outlined the principles of our coaching programs with Shamrock Rovers club manager Michael O’Neill who is fully supportive of what we will achieve and I also met Jonathan Roche and Noel Byrne who are also fully supportive from a club board prospective.
I will be looking for our section to work closer with the club’s community officer Paddy McQuaid. I have carried out an audit survey of all coaches / managers at the club which was a fantastic exercise with a lot of important observations and issues raised. I have met several excellent candidates for the role of academy director role and I hope we will be in a position to announce the appointment very soon. In addition we are still seeking qualified candidates for roles within our academy that are still available.

Q. What can expect in the future?
SF: With the academy in place we will have a very professional approach to all our teams with an excellent coaching team in place. This in turn will see improvements in our players and will attract players with ambition to play at the highest level to our club. At a bare minimum we can expect to see vastly improved coaching levels, improved players and a more attractive environment for players to be technically coached and educated.

For more information:
Stephen Fennell - Youth development manager
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 085-7112135