Bristol Academy WFC

9 February 2012

Academy begin preperations

With their first FA WSL fixture still over two months away the players at Bristol Academy begin preparations for the new season when they report back for pre-season training on Sunday.

After a long break following the team’s Champions League exit in Russia all the players will be looking forward to getting back into the habit of training and looking forward to what promises to be another exciting season for the club. The Vixens manager is looking forward to getting back on the training pitch with the team.

“The first session back with the players for pre-season is always an exciting time for both players and staff. It has been a while since we have been to together as a group so it’s great to get together with the entire group and begin our group work for the upcoming season. This pre-season will certainly be different to the last; we now are in a position where the majority of the squad have come off the back of an excellent season with us as well as a season’s experience of playing together and experiencing our working methods. We will have some new faces but with the main bulk of the group are settled at the club which helps new players transition into the environment. This will certainly present us with a great opportunity to continue on the path we started last season and be ready for the start of the season with a real clear understanding of how we want to play”.

“I believe the group of players we have this season has a great balance to it, both in relation to competition for places in all areas of the pitch but also an excellent blend of youth and experience. All the players know over the course of the season they will improve both individually and collectively and in a year which includes the Olympic Games and European Championships this is a very important element to the programme. Just look at last season we had players progress from relatively unknown to established top WSL players as well as age group and full Internationals. We had two players make the WSL team of the year and Jemma also, deservedly so won FA Young Player of the Year. Combine that with the fact the club are the current FA Club of the year I feel that tells anyone everything they need to know about the work that is going on at this club. This season in particular where players know this might be their only shot to compete in an Olympic Games it is important our players are happy they are within a fantastic environment that gives them the platform to explore their talent and reach new levels”.

“On the pitch everyone has reported back in really fantastic condition which is a credit to the professionalism of the players and the great work they have all put in over the off season period. Our exercise scientist Shannon does exceptional work to allow all the players to be in a strong physical condition to start the next phase of our preparation for the upcoming season. It has been a real intense start with the players completing four sessions over the course of the first week. They have been absolutely brilliant with their work ethic and thirst for knowledge. The group has a super mentality to improve which means we are able to push boundaries in relation to the way we all see the game. We start our games programme next week but it is still about managing the intensity of our work to make sure we build the players up not just to be ready for the first game but fully prepared for the demands of a highly demanding season”.

The first chance to see the Vixen’s in pre-season action will be on Thursday 16th February when they host a Bristol Select XI on the 3G pitch at their WISE Campus Training Ground. The match is an 8pm kick off and entry is free.

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