Oxford United Academy held their annual Awards Evening last night at Witney Lakes Resort.
It was a fantastic evening as players from the U9 to U16 age groups reflected on their time with the Academy throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
Rhys Limerick from the U12s won the Academy Save of the Season for his flying save, whilst Doyin Adefila’s rocket against Swindon in a 7-0 victory for the U14s won Academy Goal of the Season.
Phase Leads Alexandros Evangelakakis, Gerry McGinty and Lee Collier spoke to the audience about the successes, changes, and future of their specific programmes, as parents were applauded for their commitment to their children.
Academy Manager Stevie Kinniburgh presented Values Awards to three boys, one from each phase, to celebrate their attitude and impact on their respective sides. Benjamin Long, Jedeed Bangura and Jameson Blackmore took home the trophies.
There were double winners as Louis Griffiths, fresh off the back of a Wales U16 call up, won U15s Player’s Player of the season, as well as the Randall Bates Award, whilst Riley Dourish picked up U14s Player’s Player and the Kevin Durham Award.
Current first and second year scholars were present to help give out awards and answer questions to give some pearls of wisdom to the aspiring Academy players in the room.
Academy Manager Stevie Kinniburgh told us
“It’s been a fantastic evening and it’s fantastic to see the uniqueness we have within each team and then across the age groups.
“Having scholars here has been great and you could see the young boys absorbing the information and advice that they were given.
“It’s been a great year and it’s so important to reward that hard work, but more importantly to reflect on the values we try to push throughout the academy; being committed and resilient, having courage and ambition, and above all enjoying playing football. You could see that throughout the room this evening.
