Swans' vision for the future
SWANSEA City have made major strides in upgrading their training facilities.
Work on a purpose-built facility at Fairwood is due to begin shortly and a complex in Landore should be completed in a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, the pitch at the side's current base in Llandarcy is also being improved.
The first team is currently based at a public health club, but want a more private complex as they look to cope with the elite demands of the Premier League.
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Swansea revealed proposals to construct a specialist base at Fairwood towards the end of last season and are pressing ahead with those plans.
The facilities at Llandarcy will also be improved, where problems with the pitch meant Swansea ended up preparing on an artificial surface for much of last season.
And building at another site, in Landore, could be completed just after the start of next season.
Though that is intended primarily for the youth team, as the club bids to gain academy status for the centre of excellence, it will also be used by the senior side.
"Significant improvements have been made over the close season on the playing surface at Llandarcy and Michael (Laudrup) is happy with the facilities he's seen there on the back of the ongoing works at Landore and Fairwood," said chairman Huw Jenkins. "The plan is to utilise the training facilities at Landore and Fairwood from September for the rest of this season.
"The Landore site, which will also be available for junior, youth and community use, has undergone major pitch renovations and the introduction of a new all-weather pitch and a modern facility to house changing rooms, offices, treatment rooms and a café are progressing really well.
"They are due for completion in mid-September."
Swansea have been in discussions with the city's university over building a new state-of-the-art complex at Fairwood.
The Fairwood site currently comprises eight pitches, a large changing room and car park.
As well as high-quality pitches, the proposed new training base is likely to feature a medical department, pool, gym facilities and analysis rooms.
Former bosses Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez both pushed for the club to improve training facilities, but it appears Laudrup will be the man to benefit from the club's investment in its infrastructure.
"Work at Fairwood is due to start shortly on renovating all the pitches and existing changing facilities, offices and café area," added Jenkins.
"This work will continue over the next 18 months to two years and we are due to issue a full statement in partnership with Swansea University shortly.
"Improving the overall training facilities at the club has been a priority for some time.
"Unfortunately projects of this magnitude are often complicated and take time to implement.
"It's been frustrating at times, but I'm pleased to say that the recent progress has been very encouraging and we are all very excited about the future."
Comments
by hacker_jack
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 8:45AM
“Swansea used to produce world class players on a yearly basis. Absolutely no reason why we cannot do so again
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What? How many world class players do you reckon have Swansea ever produced?
The Allchurches, Trevor Ford, Cliff Jones, Mel Charles perhaps?
I'm all for the idea that we can produce to-level talent but let's not be daft about our past shall we?”
by Jimmy_Blue
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 8:04AM
“The club may not be able to afford to coach all the kids themselves but there's nothing stopping them talking to all the coaches of the local sides, maybe even helping them to obtain the required coaching badges and working with them to develop both themselves and the kids they train.
Swansea used to produce world class players on a yearly basis. Absolutely no reason why we cannot do so again.”
by Philosoraptor
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 12:49PM
“Swansea should do what Barcelona does, invite the school teachers for a several weeks to see how they train players. Those teachers then go back and teach their colleagues at the same school.
I would take a few years to get a teacher from every school, but those teachers have the time to attend when invited during school breaks and not many schools would be naive enough to shun the Swans' advice. Once the schools have been exhausted (as in all schools have had a chance to see and pass on the training methods) then start again and get them back in for refresher invitations.”
by brochadav
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 9:00AM
“Got to agree with Martin. Swansea's amateur teams need to follow the SCFC philosophy. More homegrown talent can only be a good thing. Being able to compete with the big sides will depend on our youth structure, financially we are a long long way behind. Developing local talent could not just save millions but also make millions for the Swans.
On the new building design, functional is all that's needed, some people like "blocky" buildings and some don't like what is considered more aesthetically pleasing. Simple, clean and functional will do me.”
by hacker_jack
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 7:59AM
“Hadoken??? - Frankly I don't care in this case, the building is designed to be functional not to look artistic.
And I suggest you take a walk down Cardiff Bay, it has the same percentage of new blocky buildings (a pointy/slopy roof on a square building is still a square building) as SA1 as indeed do most cities.”
by hacker_jack
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 7:57AM
“martyn, I know that and of course I support the attempt, just pointing out that this has never happened anywhere as far as I can tell, not even Barcelona.
Whenever you get kids teams in a competitive structure you get coaching to win, the most successful nations/clubs grab the kids before they get into that structure and hold off for as long as possible, either on purpose (Barca/United) or through lack of organisation (Brazil).”
by Hadoken555
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 1:01AM
“Oh look another RECTANGLE STRUCTURE IN SWANSEA!!!
OMG, I have never ever seen a city with deploys such boring, square blocky basic architecture as swansea city.”
by martyn13
Monday, July 02 2012, 7:00PM
“hacker_jack, I accept that but that doesn't stop local clubs opting to play that way. Part of the problem in UK junior football in general is the lack of concentration on ball retention, control and passing.”
by hacker_jack
Monday, July 02 2012, 3:35PM
“Martyn, when the Swans can afford to take in 1000 kids in every age group them they might manage it.
That's how Barca do it, they take control of the kids teams, there is no buy in from local junior clubs in particular.”
by swanseaola
Monday, July 02 2012, 1:09PM
“The Swans board are doing all the right things,C'mon the SWANS!”