Maritzburg United have revealed that they have now put in place a competitive reserve team at the club. The club’s aim is to develop quality young players, mainly from the KwaZulu-Natal province.
The team, comprised of U19 players, will compete in the SAB League from the region. However, players will also be available to train and work with the first team if the Team of Choice’s technical team deems it necessary.
The club’s reserve team coach, Dan Haswell, revealed how the club have put the team in place.
“We hosted trials for two weeks and we’ve looked at 100 players. We’ve selected our 22-man squad and I have no doubt that one or two of them will be registering with the first team before long. The players are all under 19, which we want to stress because our phone has been ringing off the hook from interested players in their early 20s. We’re calling it a colts team, but this U19 side will play in the SAB League.”
He added, “Where possible any injured professional first team players who need some game time can come and fill in for us. We also plan to play against other PSL reserve sides as well. Personally, I’ve completed my coaching licences. I assist with the senior team in the mornings and I train the reserve squad in the afternoon. We use the same training venue and my players will have access to the first team facilities. It’s about helping these young players to seamlessly adapt to what Ernst Middendorp wants.”
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