Grimsby Town strikes accord with Canadian soccer academy

By Alf De Blasis
LONDON, ON, 17 December 2000 (internetsoccer.com)

English First Division club Grimsby Town FC has reached a working agreement with the London, Ontario School of Excellence, a soccer academy that promotes the development of elite players in the London area and the surrounding Southwestern Ontario region.
Ian Knight, head of the Grimsby youth soccer program and an ex-professional player with Sheffield Wednesday, visited the London area recently to assess the region’s soccer program. He was impressed with the talent and suggested a link be formed between the London area school and Grimsby FC.
The initial step in the joint venture will be an opportunity to showcase players in the program to the Grimsby youth coaching staff in the near future.
Knight also indicated that the students’ progress will be closely followed by Grimsby, and that the students will be assessed to the same evaluation standards as the English club side. Knight expects to return to the area next July to further assess the talent.
The London Soccer Academy was established in May of this year and provides high-level training for players aged 9-18. Following a successful summer program, a winter session was added and is now in full swing.