EFL Youth Development Week | Jack Fanning | Mic'd Up

As part of EFL Youth Development Week, we mic'd up Swansea City Under-18s' skipper Jack Fanning whilst he delivered a training session to the academy's under-14s squad.

Fanning came to SA1 after previously being registered with Southern League Premier Division South outfit Tiverton Town.

He signed for the Swans following a successful week-long trial in January 2023. The centre-back rose through the youth ranks at Exeter City, spending eight years within their academy set-up before turning his attention to non-league football.   

The 17-year-old now captains the young Swans, and he recently took charge of an under-14s training session as part of the practical element for his A Level in P.E..

Under-14s' coach Jack Pritchard and assistant head of education praised Fanning's application and confidence whilst delivering the session to the youth development phase players.

"Jack delivered a position specific coaching session for our under-13 and under-14 centre-backs. The focus was one v one and two v two defending, which is one of six themes we incorporate for this position as part of their individual development," said Pritchard. 

"Within academy football, there are a number of different ways to achieve what I call easy wins. We often forget that some of our most valuable assets are right in front of us.

"I could deliver the same session that Jack did 100 times, but it will never have the same impact as the under-18s' captain who plays in the same position as them.

"All of the younger players, in the foundation and youth development phase, will look up to our full-time scholars as reachable idols.

"We therefore feel it is critical to get them out on the grass in a coaching capacity whenever possible, and to feel that responsibility as a role model.

"For anyone who has been mic’d up, it often creates an internal pressure, but Jack speaks with such clarity, and the detail and terminology he uses is invaluable for these young players."