By Pune FC Media

PUNE: Pune Football Club have named a host of local players in their squad for the inaugural Under-15 Youth League which kicks off with a home clash against local rivals DSK Shivajians FC on Sunday, 8th November, 2015.

The team consisting of 17 Pune players make up a 25-man squad which will be up against five other sides namely; Mumbai FC, Kenkre FC, PIFA Colaba and Steadfast Academy (all from Mumbai) apart from DSK Shivajians FC in the Maharashtra Zone.

The zonal phase will be played on a home and away basis, just like the Under-18 I-League, with top two teams from each zone qualifying for the Final Phase which will be held at a neutral venue.

Speaking ahead of the competition, Pune FC Under-15 Coach Mohan Dass said, “With 40 teams participating from all over India, the Youth League will be a massive tournament. It’s very important for Pune FC as we want our youngsters to get valuable competitive exposure at this age which will help them as they progress further. Our aim is to do well in this tournament and we are very excited.”

The team also boasts of two players – Chaitanya Advani and Aadarsh Vanjare – who come directly from the now-established Pune FC Soccer Schools, the club’s mega-scale grassroots programme which trains kids from 6-years-old at five centres across Pune.

“Our goal has always been developing local talent at the grassroots level. The fact that players from the Pune FC Soccer Schools have made it into the team is a testament to our Grassroots programme,” added Coach Mohan Dass.

For Pune FC, the biggest clashes in the zonal phase will be the local derbies against DSK Shivajians. While the home leg will be played on the opening day, Pune FC will travel away to Loni for the second leg on 3rd January, 2016.