Young winger on his development at Huddersfield Town
- Interview with Under-19 winger Aaron Rowe
- Rowe on his time with the First Team in Portugal
- Winger discusses the Young Terriers’ latest challenges on tour in Spain
After impressing for Town’s Under-19s, young winger Aaron Rowe is focused on developing his game to help him progress even further.
The 18-year-old has been with the Terriers for just over a year and under the guidance of Mark Hudson and the Academy coaches he’s seen his game go from strength to strength.
When speaking to htafc.com he explained what he’s changed to get the most out of his performances.
“In my first game I wasn’t really a player that would run off the ball and affect the game when I wasn’t on the ball, but I think that’s improved massively, and I’m proud of that.
“Mark Hudson has had a big influence on me. He told me what I needed to improve on and where I needed to be without the ball.
“Now I try to use everything he told me in training and treat those sessions like they are a match day, so I get the best out of myself.”
After coming off early for an Under-19 game against Brentford B, Aaron was told he would be part of the First Team Training Camp in Portugal – the first under Jan Siewert.
He described it as a “big shock” and went into detail about how important that experience will be for him.
“It was a wonderful experience, a learning experience to get on with the players, bond with them and spend time with them.
“I was nervous at first, and then once you get going and you get the ball more, you realise this is normal football.”
Since his glimpse of First Team football, the youngster has been inspired to continue his development and work even harder.
“Because I’ve been on a trip with them, I think with my game and the way I play now will improve. I have to improve every time I play and keep improving.”
Not only has the tour of Portugal encouraged Rowe to keep improving, his close work alongside Mark Hudson has contributed to his motivation too.
“I think me and Huddy have a good relationship, he knows my game well.
“He’s a big influence, he always wants me to improve and always gets me to play well.
“If I make a mistake, he keeps telling what to do and what not to do and it’s good to have coaches like that around you.”
After his time away with the First Team, Aaron then joined the Under-19s squad to partake in a Spanish tour, playing against both Real Betis’ and Sevilla’s development sides.
After a 3-1 loss against Real Betis, Rowe said the challenge was tough, but worth it.
“It was hard, after travelling and then playing in the morning, the Spanish style is to keep the ball for fun, so it was really hard but good as well at the same time.”
Now looking forward to the next fixture in Spain, the Young Terriers’ winger said he was ‘very excited’ for the match against Sevilla.
“Their First Team is very good, and Spanish teams always produce very good young players.
“They’ll probably be better than Real Betis, so it’ll be a good challenge for us and myself as well.”
Town’s Under-19 side will face Sevilla on Thursday 7 February 2019 (10am UK time kick-off) at the Club’s Training Ground: Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios.
The match will be a real test for Dean Whitehead’s side, with Sevilla’s Under-19 side faring very well this season. The La Liga club’s Under-19 side plays in the top flight of Spanish Academy football, the División de Honor Juvenil, currently sitting first in the division with 61 points from 25 games.
For more information on Huddersfield Town’s Academy, follow @htafcAcademy on Twitter!
