Wales and Brittany
Wales' first ever football exchange programme for young players has today been unveiled by Chris Coleman at Wales' training ground in Dinard, France.
A partnership between the FAW Trust and the Ligue De Bretagne De Football was announced following Wales' open training session this morning.
The programme kicks off in February 2017 with Brittany's under 15 girls descending on Dragon Park to play two matches against Wales' regional squads. Meanwhile, Wales' under 15 boys will travel to Brittany to play its regional side and a Bretagne club team. In 2018, the arrangement will be switched with the Welsh girls heading to France.
"This agreement means that our next generation of stars will now receive experience of continental preparation and opposition at a much younger age than ever before", said Coleman.
"This programme is a fantastic legacy of Wales' participation in Euro 2016. The FAW Trust has done a great job of capitalising on that. They understand that the next generation will come through producing better coaches and better players. And that's exactly what this exchange programme is all about."
Jean-Claude Hillion, President of the LBF explains:
"For a league, it is a rare opportunity to obtain an agreement with a federation like Wales. This partnership is part of our goal of development and openness. Our officers, players and educators will receive the benefits of these high quality sport, cultural and linguistic exchanges.
"We have recently built a relationship with China – and now Wales which shows Brittany soccer has a global reach."
Wales and Brittany are also set to share insights into coaching programmes and philosophies.
Wales National Team Assistant Manager and FAW Trust Technical Director Osian Roberts explains:
"We've got to continue to raise the bar in preparing our young players – they are the production line for our national teams. We've already done that in terms of sports science and psychology and this exchange is yet another step towards building a better future for Welsh football."
Wales and Brittany have signed a two year exchange programme but there are hopes on both sides of the channel that the Euro 2016 inspired partnership will continue long after that.
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