TNS Football Club academy chief Jason Brindley has praised the club's youngsters for rising to the challenge following an unprecedented year.

Brindley commended players and their parents for adapting to a year beset by lockdowns and social restrictions which have wrought devastation to Welsh sport.

This past year has proved to be the most challenging known, with obstacles thrown our way left and right. Its been an extremely difficult time for everyone," said Brindley. "

However, to see the way that our young players have adapted and embraced everything that has come their way is inspiring. I am very proud of them.

The year started off with a great deal of promise with the club's under 12s, 14s and 16s competing in the FAW Academy Cup.

The under 16s were also competing in the Wolves midweek cup, a new tournament created by Wolves containing TNS, West Brom, Leicester City, Stoke City and Crewe Alexandra.

Brindley said: "We were delighted to be considered and invited to play alongside such prestigious clubs.

"It shows the level of our player development programme that we are being asked to play in such competitions and competing against English Academies.

"We pride ourselves in being able to offer these sort of opportunities for our young players. Being away for a few days with your team-mates, we create a professional environment and its really beneficial to have that time with players, getting to know them better.

"Every tournament we travel to we aim to be the best in every aspect, both on and off the pitch. Arguably its off the pitch which carries more importance.

"We look forward to entering further tournaments in the future when permitted and safe to do so, both domestically and abroad."

Brindley praised his coaches and players for embracing online training.

"It must of been an extremely difficult time for children, not being able to go and see their friends and enjoy their football. I suppose that shows the real resilience of a young person.

"The challenge to our coaches was how can we create a programme which is challenging and will still develop the individual, without feeling repetitive.

"We were delighted and in awe at times of our young players, how they took everything in their stride.

The club has been forced to adapt with the academy sides training at several sites throughout north east Wales during the rolling lockdowns.

Brindley added: "We don't know what the next few months will look like, but whatever happens we will embrace it and do our upmost to continue to develop and support our players as individuals.

"Thankyou to our team of coaches who have gone above and beyond and to all players and parents for everything."