The Yellows Academy, in its prime

The Yellows’ youth academy has began one of the most important seasons in its history The Yellows academy is on a roll and, although the good work of Villarreal’s youth system has always paid off, this season has taken another step forward in all aspects of the Yellows’ academy development. In the current campaign, Nico Jackson, vital in achieving the promotion of the B team just a few months ago, has settled in the first team, with the likes of Álex Baena and Manu Morlanes, also formed in the Yellows Academy and now under the orders of Unai Emery, along with other talents ‘made in Miralcamp’ such as Pau Torres, Yeremy Pino and a long list of other players. The first-team squad also includes Mini Submarine goalkeepers Iker Álvarez and Filip Jorgensen, as well as outfield players such as Dela, among others, who have been playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League. As for Miguel Álvarez’s side, the team has made a great start in LaLiga SmartBank and competes head to head against top opposition every weekend; a very positive step for the growth of many of Miralcamp’s promising youngsters. In addition to the Villarreal B squad, players from the second reserve team are also benefiting from the promotion, such as midfielder Rodri Alonso from Castellón and centre-back Abraham from Jaén. Local talent In fact, Rodrigo is one of the club’s pillars that add talent from the province of Castellón in the main academy teams. Starting, of course, with Pau Torres, there are also cases such as Migue Leal (Vila-real), Carlo Adriano (Vila-real/Benicàssim), Marcos Sánchez (Vila-real) or Jordi Ortega (Grau de Castelló). They are joined by a large number of players who are starting to play in Villarreal’s youth teams. A competitive second reserve team Villarreal C is facing a new season in the demanding RFEF Tercera Division, in which the young players, some of whom are still at youth level, will face more experienced players from teams from all over the region. At the helm of the second yellow reserve team is Jandro Castro, recently arrived from CD Acero, with whom he had a great season. “I am very happy to be part of Villarreal. It’s a big club that has been doing things very well in the youth system for many years and, for me, it was a big step to come here and I’m delighted to have taken it. I’m looking forward to working and I’m very happy to belong to this club. It’s an honour,” said the new Villarreal C coach. Castro had already declared himself an admirer of the work done at Miralcamp before his arrival and he ratifies it in this way: “From the outside, you can see that the youth system works. You see any Villarreal team and they have an identity and a very marked player profile. Everyone, even the goalkeepers, have a good way with the ball. All the people in charge of the youth academy do a great job and now that I am part of this structure, you can see the work even more. The people invest a lot of hours so that everything goes well and they are achieving it because the results are there.” Villarreal Women, in the midst of growth If the whole club, in general, is on a roll, Villarreal Women, in particular, is experiencing a moment of rapid expansion and development. Maintaining their place in Liga F was vital, but the Yellows know that they are not “going to build the house from the roof up”. “Staying in the first division is very important for the consolidation of the project and gives us the strength to continue growing step by step and so that the youth players have a mirror in which to look at themselves and can dream of becoming professionals,” says one of the Villarreal Women’s coordinators, Patri Traver. Significant changes have therefore been implemented, starting with the younger players: “After the good experience of last season seeing the youngsters compete in the men’s league, we wanted to give continuity to the idea and this year the U13 and U10 players will do the same.” In fact, the creation of this junior team is another of the important steps that have been taken. In addition, the U15 and U16 players are already competing in the senior category, in the Women’s D (recently promoted), C or B, depending on their level. Diversification and internationalisation On the other hand, Villarreal continues to join forces with its partner clubs around Spain and the rest of the world. The latest to join the Submarine family is Gavà, one of the most powerful schools in the province of Barcelona. The Catalan club joins CD Roda, CE Vila d’Onda, UD Vall de Uxó, Benicarló BF, Primer Toque, CD La Floresta, CD Oliver, Lacross Babel CF, Mislata UF, Elda Unión, UCD La Cañada Atlético, CD Ontinyent and ADIUR Rosario (Argentina). In addition, through the Villarreal Academy project, the Villarreal club has academies in the United States (9), Canada (4), Australia (2), Kuwait, Malaysia, Israel, Mexico, Bolivia and Korea.