TEAM Solent are breaking out of their university boundaries to launch a youth development scheme.

Next season the Southampton Solent University outfit will enter an under-16 team in the City of Southampton Youth League.

Having made huge strides forward with the senior side, finishing seventh in the Sydenhams Premier this term and lifting two cups, Solent want local youth to benefit from their excellent facilities and qualified coaching staff.

The new team will be managed by Dave Fear, who did such an excellent job rolling talented players off the youth conveyor belt at his previous club Sholing.

“The idea is to get a youth set-up going and make the club as big as possible,” explained boss James Taylor, whose management/coaching staff includes Kevin Braybrook, Mick Marsh, Fear and James Phillips.

“The players won’t be part of the university, but a few of them may get the option to go to uni further down the line, so it could be a slight recruitment drive.

“The youth team will get the opportunity to train with first-team players as well and, after a year, when they can sign up for men’s football, they will be considered for that.

“Dave Fear will manage the team, but we will all be around and keen to help out.”

Open trials for the new under-16 side will commence at Test Park, Lower Brownhill Road, Southampton, SO16 9BP, next Monday, May 9 (7pm).

For more details contact James Taylor at jtaylor@itchen.ac.uk