League Football Education has today launched its new national competition, ‘The 11’, to recognise the football and academic progress of 11 apprentice players across the land.
‘The 11’, which also assesses other factors such as apprentice involvement in club community based initiatives, is judged by LFE’s team of regional officers.
It replaces the ‘Apprentice of the Month’ award and will run on four occasions (October, December, February and May) during the 2013.14 season.
Notts County’s Tyler Guy was named among the first 11 under-18s, after being selected by regional officer John Barton, who hailed the 17-year-old as an ‘excellent all-rounder’.
Tyler has not only impressed on the pitch at youth level and in the development squad, but in the classroom as well – highlighted by receiving distinctions in every module of his work to date.
Head of Academy coaching Andy McMillan hailed Tyler for his impressive work ethic both on and off the field of play.
He said: “It’s a combination of hard work in terms of the scholarship and his college work, because he reaches the standards required and more.
“He’s realised that it’s important to get his education sorted out in case something doesn’t happen or there’s an injury.
“We keep telling them that the education side of things is vital and he’s gone the extra mile.
“He’s doing extra work, going in to college on days off when he doesn’t have to be there, and he’s doing everything right, including in training.
“If you’ve got that type of attitude then you’re going to go that bit further than those who don’t.
“If you’re in that mindset that you do that extra then you’re on the front foot.
“I think it’s a tremendous achievement for him and a great honour for the club, its staff and the college staff, who work incredibly hard with these boys.”
October’s inaugural 11 are:
• Connor Mahoney (Accrington Stanley)
• Harry Williams (Cheltenham Town)
• Sam Szmodics (Colchester United)
• James Jones (Crewe Alexandra)
• Jake Charles (Huddersfield Town)
• Bryn Morris (Middlesbrough)
• Tyler Guy (Notts County)
• Ben Close (Portsmouth)
• Ioan Evans (Sheffield United)
• Fejiri Okenabirhie (Stevenage FC)
• Robert Evans (Wrexham)
LFE chief executive Alan Sykes said: “This competition is aligned directly to apprentice reviews that are conducted by our regional officer’s throughout the season and is a great way to highlight the achievements and progress of talented young footballers on the apprenticeship programme.”
For in depth profiles on all of the players named in ‘The 11’ for October please visit the LFE website.