Players from York City Academy’s U13, U14, U15, and U16 age groups participated in a Get into Media Workshop at York College on Tuesday evening, as part of this year’s After Care Programme.
Leaving a talent development programme has long been recognized as a challenging transition for all involved. To address this, York City FC Academy remains dedicated to designing and delivering an effective After Care Programme.
The Academy is firmly committed to helping players explore and pursue alternative career paths, ensuring they are aware of different options.
The players engaged in an interactive workshop with members of the local media who shared their knowledge and experience across the various arms of sports media, from journalism to podcasting, radio to social media.
Charlie Hopper (York City FC Foundation Media Officer), David Ward (BBC Radio York Broadcast Journalist), Gabriel Ramsey (York Press Sports Reporter), and Ryan Brookes (York City FC Media Assistant) all came down to speak to the participants as media professionals.
They were also joined by York City first-team players Jeff King, Rory Watson, Marvin Armstrong, and Ricky Aguiar who interacted and shared their experiences.
The academy players tried their hand at commentating on key moments in a game, using them in a post-match interview, drafting in-game social media posts, and practising writing sections of a match report.
Speaking on the session, Head of Youth, Dan Wilson said, “Our aftercare programme is integral to our YDP programme, giving football-driven teenagers insights into careers linked to the sport they love. It’s important to us, to make sure that players have lives and plans away from their football in case they do not make it as a professional, as we know so many unfortunately will not.
“The organisation that goes into these nights from York City’s Development Officer Steve Dorey to tie together club staff, 1st team players and valued external partners brings these evenings to life. We now start looking towards our next workshops around refereeing & coaching which from experience we know many of our current and ex-players are already engaged in.
“Thanks to those that gave up their time to support the personal development of the academy players.”
