Barnet Football club are set to launch an FA licensed Centre of Excellence.When Barnet were relegated to the Nationwide Conference in 2001 the club had to dismantle an extensive and established youth structure, including their centre of excellence.

On regaining status to the Football League the club have gradually began evolving a youth strategy.Football in The Community is now established at the club with courses being run daily linked with schools and community groups.

On completion of the first phase of the Prince Edward Playing Field project at the 44-acre site at Canons Park, the club will take another step by re-establishing a Centre of Excellence. The new complex, consisting of high quality artificial and grass pitches, is due to open very shortly.

The club intend to run teams at all Centre of Excellence levels, including a scholarship group. Consequently the club will be inviting players from 8 to 17 years old to apply for trials that will take place at the end of the current season.The trial categories are as follows: -

Under 9 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 4 at school
Under 10 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 5 at school
Under 11 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 6 at school
Under 12 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 7 at school
Under 13 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 8 at school
Under 14 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 9 at school
Under 15 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 10 at school
Under 16 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 11 at school
Under 17 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 12 at school
Under 18 starting September 09, a pupil going into YEAR 13 at school

To apply for a trial please follow the link, http://www.barnetfcshop.com/Public/registerExcellence.asp

Successful applicants will be informed of the trial dates.

As well as running the above age groups the club will also be forming "Junior development groups", initially in Barnet and Harrow, for the younger age groups.These groups will act as feeder groups for the older groups.More information regarding the development centres will be released shortly.

These are exciting times for the football club.With the brand new Prince Edward facility the club will forge ahead and develop a youth structure to compare with the best.

Coaches

The club will be recruiting coaches to assist in the operation of the Centre of Excellence, details can be found on the club website.