PHC Zebras Link Up With MK Dons SET
[Written by Stephen Wright]
PHC Zebras have linked up with the MK Dons Sport and Education Trust [SET] – an independent charity aligned with English club Milton Keynes Dons.
The Bermudian Premier Division outfit hope the relationship with MK Dons SET will create opportunities for players and coaches to further their development by providing a pathway between the two organisations.
As part of the agreement, the MK Dons SET plan to send coaches to Bermuda to hold youth camps while promising PHC players will travel in the opposite direction for training opportunities.
There will also be a possibility for PHC coaches who hold a B licence to benefit from work placements at MK Dons.
The long-term objective is for PHC to become a feeder club for MK Dons, who play in the Sky Bet League One – the third tier of English football.
Bermudian Peter Rickards is a coach at MK Dons SET and approached PHC about the possibility of establishing a relationship with the Buckinghamshire organisation.
“I simply wanted to connect MK Dons to a club on the island to support the growth and opportunities for the island’s players and coaches,” said Rickards, who also runs CP Athletic Development, a youth futsal academy on the island.
“Although I have no history with PHC, I know they are well-run and organisation, so I felt we would be a good match.”
James Gibb, the MK Dons SET boys talent pathways manager, said their coaches will share ideas and training tips with PHC staff via online platforms such as Zoom in the short term.
“This is a good chance for us to share training ideas and knowledge with PHC,” Gibb told Bernews. “We will be looking to show them what we’re trying to achieve with our development squads at MK Dons SET.
“PHC will look to bring a couple of teams over for training sessions and games against our development squad in six months to a year.”
Michael Trott, the PHC president, believes the link-up is a “win-win situation” for both parties.
“We hope to gain new relationships during this endeavour, built on creating a solid partnership with shared goals,” he said in a statement.
“PHC have a vast amount of talented players and committed coaches, and we know that the proper support MK Dons can give will propel our club to a new level.”
The MK Dons SET aims to improve the lives and experiences of its local community and focuses on education, social inclusion, and girls’ and women’s football and football development.
