BARRY Town’s young footballers are set to benefit from the latest training methods straight from the Wales camp, following the appointment of Town manager Gavin Chesterfield as Wales’s Under-15 international coach.

The appointment will be welcomed by parents and players of the Barry Town United Development Centre, who will now enjoy direct weekly access to a current national team coach and a potential pathway into international football; with Chesterfield supporting Gary Speed’s former assistant and current FAW technical director Osian Roberts.

Between the recent victories at Risca United and Chepstow Town, the Barry boss spent several days with the Wales camp at the Dragon Park training complex in Newport, before setting off on a UEFA study trip to Paris Saint-Germain; returning to share his knowledge with Barry-based youngsters in years five, six, seven and eight on Friday evening.

Having adopted responsibility for the ailing Vale of Glamorgan Development Centre only 18 months ago, the revamped, fan-owned Barry Town United have helped breathe new life to a decade old structure that had been threatened by the effects of recession and commercial competition.

Now delivering progressive weekly training for local youngsters aged nine to 13, the club also helped facilitate free community coaching days in Barry during the summer; with UEFA ‘A Licence’ holder Chesterfield ensuring youth development is both a priority and a central component of the town’s footballing resurgence.

With the club pro-active in its efforts to promote the town by way of success and good practice, Chesterfield and his coaching staff have led the first team to promotion and a Welsh Cup Semi-Final; with hometown defenders Lee Baldock, Lewis Cosslett, Ryan Evans and Paul Morgan all part of the side that came a whisker from securing a Europa League Qualifying Round appearance.

Last season meanwhile saw Barry’s own Bradley O’ Loughlin become the club’s youngest-ever Welsh Cup goal-scorer, with forwards James Dixon and Rhys James adding to the club’s home-grown contingent and fellow Barry boys Thomas Case, Keir McInery, Adam Owens, Ethan Park, Theo Richards, Curtis Searle and Brad Walters each benefitting from first team experience.

The result is a significantly improved number of emerging Barry-based footballers being given the opportunity to represent their town at a competitive senior level; with Barry Town United offering an achievable platform for ambitious young players in the area to aspire to and progress to.

With an eye on a second successive promotion that would put the club within touching distance of the national top tier, manager Gavin Chesterfield will next link up with the Wales Under-15 squad for their upcoming matches against Poland and Switzerland in March and April respectively.

More information on the volunteer-run Barry club, its non-profit principles and community-centred activities meanwhile can be found online at www.barrytownunited.com.