Every month, Oxford United in the Community pens a monthly ‘Community Column’ in the Oxford Mail. This month, Development Centre Manager Alex Blane explains how our thriving Development Centre helps support our wider ambitions.

The 2022-23 season was a busy year for our Development Centre with over 250 players representing squads from U7s to U16s playing in a formal environment every week.

Of all the provisions we deliver at Oxford United in the Community, the Development Centre is the only programme that operates on an invitation only basis.

Its purpose is to provide boys and girls aged six to 16 the opportunity to train and play in a team environment where they can improve their technical ability and tactical knowledge of the game.

This is achieved via a 36-week term time training programme which players from our skills centre, holiday camps, after school clubs and in-house school tournaments are invited to join.

It’s another example of how we use the power of the Oxford United badge to help people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to develop new skills and connect with likeminded people.

You can read Alex’s column in full by clicking here.