A NEW football academy has launched in Redditch and Alcester, founded by Walsall club captain, Joss Labadie.

Labadie who has played against the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in recent years has set up Kixx Redditch - a franchise offering development-driven football coaching.

Sessions which run during the week and throughout the weekend cater for players aged two to ten years old.

“Football has been a huge part of my life and it’s something I’m very passionate about and grateful for,” said Joss.

“I think sport is crucial for young people for a whole host of reasons, and to be able to share my love of the game with young players in and around Redditch is a real privilege.

Redditch Advertiser: Joss Labadie.Joss Labadie. (Image: Kixx Redditch.)

“Sometimes children can have too much pressure put on them within sport though, and while we do strive to implement effective coaching methods to drive continuous improvement in our players, the most important thing to us is that they can play with a smile in a safe and supportive environment.”

After his first season at Walsall as club captain, Labadie is currently focusing on rehab following a long-term ACL injury which has kept the Saddlers’ skipper sidelined since April. 

He added: “I’m of course grateful every day to have the job and the opportunity I have in pro football and the number one priority is always to make sure I’m in the best condition possible for Walsall, so I’m pleased to say my recovery from injury is progressing well. 

“That said, it’s been a real pleasure to be able to watch players in and around Redditch and Alcester engaging in and enjoying our sessions over the past few months, and it’s definitely put a smile on my face during some tough times on the road to recovery.”