Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy coach David Notoane has highlighted the importance of the Academy players integration programme and how it could benefit the Chloorkop-based outfit.
Bafana Ba Style have been integrating its players from the Youth Academy to train with the first team to upskill their performance.
And maturity, and behavioural levels needed to be promoted into the senior team.
Sundowns had a few Academy players joining the first-team training sessions before the 2022 Carling Black Label Cup in November.
The goal was to give them an opportunity to play in the competition.
The Brazilians also travelled with five of its Academy players to a training camp in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Sundowns were preparing for the resumption of the season after the FIFA World Cup break.
The five Youth Academy players are Jerome Karelse [forward], Bongolwethu Siyasi [defender], Camugu Mdevulana [defender], Thulani Zandmole [midfielder] and Pule Manya [midfielder].
DAVID NOTOANE EXCITED ABOUT INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
Coach Notoane has since expressed his excitement for this initiative granted to the young players.
“This is a very exciting phase of youth academy players’ integration into the first team,” said Notoane.
“This is for emerging talent from the academy to have opportunities to be integrated through camps and training
“We are grateful as the Youth Academy for our talents to be allowed to experience what it’s like to be with the senior team.
“As well as to fastrack their development and exposure to the level of demand in the senior team.”
Notoane continued: “Generally, we have players that are very talented and skilled.
“As coaches in the academy and the senior team, we always look for players that show tremendous performance at junior level.
“We have been waiting for this opportunity and it’s now up to the junior players to grab the chance and run with it.”
KENNEDY MWEENE ON INTEGRATION OF THE ACADEMY PLAYERS…
Sundowns shot-stopper Kennedy Mweene also touched on the impact the first-team players have on the youngsters
“Fortunately for the Youth Academy players, they have good people around them,” Mweene added.
“The youngsters need full support from us as senior players.
“And assist them in learning how the way things are done.
“It’s good that they are starting at an early age.”
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