YOUNGSTERS from the Isle of Dogs could be fast-tracked into Leyton Orient s academy set-up after George Green s School was this week confirmed as the site for the O s latest Player Development Centre. The partnership between Leyton Orient Community Sports

YOUNGSTERS from the Isle of Dogs could be fast-tracked into Leyton Orient's academy set-up after George Green's School was this week confirmed as the site for the O's latest Player Development Centre.

The partnership between Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme and George Green's means that the school, located next to Island Gardens DLR on Manchester Road, will start developing and coaching local young players next month.

The school will become Orient's 12th Development Centre as the League One club attempts to unearth promising youngsters in the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest.

Starting on Friday January 9 and continuing every Friday, except during school holidays, the centre will cater for five to seven-year-olds (4.30pm - 5.30pm), eight to 11-year-olds (5.30pm - 6.30pm) and 11 to 19-year-olds (7pm - 9pm).

Sessions are fee for 11-19-year-olds and £2 for the two younger age groups.

Taking place in the Sports Hall and outside playing area and run by fully Football Association-qualified and experienced coaches, the sessions are mixed sex, mixed ability and include a variety of skills and techniques to improve and develop young footballers.

Youngsters who show considerable promise could be invited to join Orient's Advanced Soccer School, which identifies talent for the club's centre of excellence and potential stars of the future.

Daniel Fenner, the club's Football Development Manager, said: "The establishment of the Player Development Centre at George Green's represents a potentially huge audience of young players looking to learn and develop skills to take their knowledge, understanding, appreciation and skills to the next level.

"George Green's is a dynamic and professional location to run this centre from and their forward-thinking and enthusiasm has allowed our partnership to provide this opportunity for local young people to come down and experience the next level of coaching.

"Everybody involved with this centre cannot wait until January 9 for the sessions to start and, you never know, we may find a future Leyton Orient player in our midst.