U16A Preseason Training Camp

By Tom Scrimshaw

The U16A team began preparations for the 2025-26 season with a productive pre – season camp at Loughborough University during the penultimate week of the summer holidays. Joining sixth form senior footballers, the U16As enjoyed an action-packed schedule of football over four days, getting back into the swing of things before the start of the exciting new season.

Before making the lengthy journey up north, the team completed a series of physically demanding tests at school in order to grasp an idea of how fit they were feeling, with the beginning of the season just around the corner. 

Upon arrival in Loughborough, the team were given time to settle into the impressive accommodation before heading out for a six – a – side tournament, played on full sized pitches. The 6 teams consisted of a mix of fifth year, lower sixth and upper sixth players – providing the perfect opportunity to get to know peers in other year groups too.

After good performances all round from every team involved, it was Mr Boyes’s side who claimed victory in a tense final.

The second day comprised of two halves: a position – specific training session in the morning before the first pre – season game in the early evening, with the U16As facing a local side from Nottingham. On a rewarding 3G pitch, the team prevailed 7-0 in their first test of the season, proving a great platform from which to push off into the next few games.

After a well-deserved meal, Mr Burke gave an interesting talk on the importance of xG in football and how games can be changed if its helpfulness is properly considered: a challenge for the team to take on board ahead of their second match of pre – season.

After a morning jog on day three and a hearty breakfast, the sessions focused more on theory and how to improve off the pitch in order to gain on it. Sessions included discussions on team chemistry, and how it can be bettered depending on game – realistic situations, sports nutrition and the principles of football that are true for any player, coach and team.

The afternoon played host to the second match of the camp for the U16As, with the team playing a local Sunday league team. Whilst the outcome may have a been a more comfortable one than was expected, with the team winning 10-0, it once again proved a valuable opportunity to get fitness levels back up and gave the side a much-appreciated confidence boost heading into the new season. 

With the last morning of the camp having arrived too soon for anyone to believe, sights were set on a recovery session held by staff from Loughborough University. As we had been reminded in our recent theory sessions, recovery plays just as an important role in performance as training does, therefore everyone looked to make the most of the muscle recovery, yoga and spin class sessions, leaving the team feeling ready and refreshed for the 2025/26 season.