Millers Academy on lookout for local talent

If you've a talented footballer in your ranks, Rotherham United want to hear from you.

The club's Academy is on the lookout for local players and also wants to set up matches against local teams to forge closers links with the community.

The Millers youngsters train and play at the smart Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park on Bawtry Road under experienced coaches.

Catering for U9s-U16s, the facility hosts training sessions every night and matches every weekend.

Academy manager Garreth Barker said: “We are a community-based football club and we want to develop local players.

“If school teachers or coaches want to recommend players or organise training games against us, we are very receptive. We want to provide a community platform for players.

“We have a great community facility up here and we are in a good position in terms of the quality of football and coaching.”

The Academy has played against Manchester United, Derby County and Hull City and future games are planned against Leicester City and Everton, who have one of the best youth set-ups in the country.

Added Garreth: “That's a reflection of how things have developed in the last couple of years and it benefits our players as well.”

Anyone interested in getting in touch can ring the Academy on 01709 827760 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

For U8s, e-mail [email protected]

The Academy also has its own Twitter and a web page on the official Millers website.