Last week, the Manchester United Academy held its first-ever “A United Celebration” awards ceremony at Old Trafford. The event was a time to reflect on a successful year both on and off the field, and to celebrate the personal and athletic achievements of the young players.
Over 600 guests were in attendance, including players from the Under-9 to Under-16 age groups, their parents, and United staff. The awards were presented by Head of Academy Nick Cox, Manchester United legend Bryan Robson, and Premier League Head of Education and Player Care, David Rainford.
Throughout the evening, current academy players and former graduates, including Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Charlie Savage, Rhys Bennett, Tosin Kehinde, Joe Riley, Adam Thurstan, and Daniel Polakowski, shared their experiences and memories of coming through the world-leading youth development system at Manchester United.
In addition to recognizing athletic achievements, the Academy also celebrated the players’ educational and community efforts, with awards for “project champions” for their work on various initiatives such as the Munich memorial, Christmas Truce, The Holocaust, and the Duke of Edinburgh award. The evening was an inspiring and impactful tribute to the young players and their journey at the Manchester United Academy.
The Academy celebrated its inaugural “United Celebration” event, which included the handing out of educational achievement awards. One player from the Foundation Phase and another from the Youth Development Phase received these awards. Additionally, one player from each age group was recognized for their Outstanding Contribution to the Community.
Former Academy players were also honored on the night, with Paul McShane receiving the Tony Whelan Alumni Award for his achievements in football and Joe Thompson winning the Dave Bushell Alumni Award for his dedication to lifelong learning.
The young players also had a chance to show appreciation for the Academy staff. Graham Buckingham and John Canny were awarded the Outstanding Staff award, which was voted on by the players themselves.
Nick Cox, the Head of the Academy, expressed his excitement and pride in a recent statement regarding the Academy’s inaugural “United Celebration.” According to Cox, the event was a special moment and one of the proudest of the year for the Academy.
He spoke highly of the environment provided by the Academy, where boys are able to thrive and develop in various aspects such as football, education, and personality. The Academy prides itself in offering a world-class experience that creates lasting memories and prepares the boys for adulthood.
The awards event was a time for everyone to reflect on the players’ accomplishments over the past year. Cox mentioned that it is a privilege to work with the players and staff, and he looks forward to next year’s celebration to see how far everyone has come.
