A message from Ross

When I first became involved with the GFA Academy, the landscape looked very different.

Victoria Park was a grass pitch, supported by portacabins and portable, petrol-fuelled floodlights. Over the years, the Academy operated from a variety of locations, including the KGV, Aztech and Elizabeth College Astroturf, with staff often finding creative ways to continue providing opportunities for players.

To now see the Academy based at Victoria Park, with a beautiful new home for Guernsey football, is something I am incredibly proud to have been part of.

Over the past seven years, the Academy has continued to evolve. When I took on the role of Academy Manager, it became clear that some changes were needed if we wanted the programme and its players to flourish. One of the most significant was reducing the size of the age groups, allowing for better coach-to-player ratios and greater individual attention.

More recently, the introduction of the Spirit Development Academy has created another important part of the pathway. It provides an opportunity for players who are not currently in Aztech to continue developing within a GFA environment, while allowing coaches to monitor their progress and create opportunities to move into Aztech when their development warrants it. With the two programmes working alongside each other, the pathway is now more fluid, ensuring that selection at one point does not define a player's journey.

The support of our sponsors, coaches, volunteers, GFA colleagues and everyone who has invested their time and energy has also allowed us to provide more training, matches, trips and experiences for our players.

The development of the High Performance pathway has provided further opportunities for players looking to challenge themselves. Additional coaching, strength and conditioning, player analysis, sports psychology, education and links with Guernsey FC have all helped create a more holistic approach to player development and preparation for the next stage.

Alongside this, the GFA's representative programmes continue to provide opportunities for players from U15 upwards, with competitive fixtures, trips and experiences against opposition from outside the island.

When you look at where we started and where we are now, the difference is significant.

There is now a much clearer pathway for young players in Guernsey. From their club, into the GFA Academy and representative programmes, through the High Performance pathway and towards Guernsey FC, there are more opportunities than ever to challenge yourself and see how far you can go.

That does not mean the pathway guarantees anything. It simply creates the opportunity.

Players such as Maya Le Tissier and Alex Scott are fantastic examples of what can be achieved, but they would also be the first to explain the hard work, sacrifice and resilience required to reach the highest levels. Talent can open a door, but what you do once that door is open is ultimately down to you.

My advice to every player coming into the Academy is therefore simple:

Keep improving your strengths. If you are fast, work to become faster. If you can complete eight out of ten passes, aim for nine or ten.

Challenge your weaknesses. If you are right-foot dominant, develop your left. If you always choose the safe pass, challenge yourself to scan, play forward or take an opponent on.

Embrace change. As you move through football, the game will become quicker, more demanding and more unpredictable. The players who adapt, learn and continue to develop will give themselves the best chance of progressing.

And most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Football will not always be easy, and it will not always go your way. You will have setbacks and disappointments. That is part of the game. Learn from them, keep working and keep smiling. You will become a better footballer and, ultimately, a better person.

After seven years with the GFA, I will be stepping away from my day-to-day role. That decision has given me plenty of time to reflect on how far the Academy has come and how exciting its future is.

I am incredibly proud of what has been built, grateful to everyone who has played a part, and excited to see the next generation of Guernsey players make the most of the opportunities now available to them.

The foundations are strong. The pathway is there. The next chapter belongs to you.

Make the most of it.

And remember…

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.