BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have embarked on the next stage of their academy development plan, after welcoming new Academy Manager (6-16’s) Chazz Mann on board.

The Academy has seen an increase in recruitment since the appointment of Tom McStravick from Leeds United, and now things are progressing rapidly.

Mann is no stranger to the club having spent the last eight months coaching in their junior academy programme.

The newly crowned manager, who also works at Leeds United Academy, will bring a wealth of experience and know-how to the role, having worked in academy football for a number of years at professional football clubs.

Discussing his appointment with the T&A, Mann said: "I'm really excited.

"It's a progressive club and it's going places. I can also see the long-term vision and it's something I want to be a part of.

"I feel I can add some experience, know-how and I think for the long term, to create a feel-good factor for Bradford Park Avenue.

"Tom has come in and he's building the foundations for getting kids back in, which I feel is a real plus for the community.

"And In the long-term, we plan to have two age-groups at every age, so we can give them the opportunity to play.

"But thinks are looking good, and I feel making small steps will benefit us in the long run."

With Mann coming into the new manager's role, it has allowed previous academy manager Tom McStravick, to move into the academy technical director role.

And Mann was full of praise for McStravick, and admitted he was a pivotal part in his decision to join the club.

He said: "Tom was a massive reason to why I joined the club.

"I've been around Tom for a couple of years now and his experience not just on the field, but off the field is massive.

"He has got a real good clientele of people he can tap into; he's a very good coach and I think we can work hand in hand to create a progression path for youngsters to get into the first team."

And McStravick, the academy's new technical director, was likewise complimentary about Mann.

He said: "We are really pleased to bring someone of Chazz's calibre into the club.

"He has got a lot of experience working at professional clubs and within the academy system, so he'll bring a real enthusiasm and professionalism to the whole club.

"With him overseeing the 16's, it will allow us to focus on bringing in the right type of player into the football club. And hopefully in the next two to three years, we will see players filter into the first team from the academy.

"It's a great to have him on board."

Discussing his and Mann's goals for the academy, McStravick said: "We want to provide a really nice standard of coaching and offer matches for the boys so that they can develop. It’s important that we have the right people in the building to help these young players too."