Two months into his job as Youth team Coach, Jerry Gill feels very much at home.
He said: "It's been excellent so far and I feel that I've settled in well. One of the good things is that I knew a lot of people here and that has been a big help.
"I've been made to feel very welcome, and been able to deliver my own pre season programme which has enabled me to get to know the scholars here very well.
"A key part of my job is the relationship between myself and the players. Darren Patterson put a very good system in place, and I haven't changed too much and merely continued the hard work that he started last year. That was excellent, and you can see there's a good base to work from."
There has been some positive feedback from his first pre season with the scholars.
"Paul and Darren have both said that the boys look fit and strong, which is nice. I welcome any feedback, and if there are things I need to tweak after speaking with management team then I'll do that because it's all about working together as a team.
"The good thing about the youth set up here is that we are based at the same training ground as the first team and so I feel a part of everything that's going on here.
"We have conversations every day, about different aspects of the work, which is great for me as a young coach because I'm able to learn from Paul and Darren, who are young, hungry, and ambitious. I think that was the appeal of joining a club like Bristol Rovers as there are people here who want to achieve things.
The main thrust of his job will be to develop players for the first team, though he acknowledges that it will take time.
"It's important that we try to get some of these young players through to the first team. We have seen players come through the ranks in the past, and we have to try to get more through.
"It's not going to happen overnight, obviously, and it will take time. However we have a good group here now and you can see that there is a base for some of them to come through and be decent players.
"There's no massive pressure to fast track them through to the pro ranks and you have to realise that development doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process, and you also have to remember that the lads are developing both physically and mentally.
"It's a tough time for youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18 and I think people tend to forget that at times. It's a very impressionable age, which means there are a number of aspects to coaching at youth level.
"It's not just about taking them out on the pitch and putting on a session, sometimes you have to put an arm around their shoulder and have a chat after a game or a training session."
The scholars have, he says, responded to his training methods.
"I can see improvements already and the boys have taken on board what I want to try and implement at the club. We want players who are technically very good, who can pass the ball, and who are up to the physical demands that are made on them.
"To that end, we are putting on strengthening and conditioning sessions into them to assist with their physical development so that they are ready to make the step up to first team level if necessary."
Some of the youngsters in his charge have already trained with the first team and that's likely to continue as the management team has proved that age is no barrier to making it through to the first team ranks.
"The good thing is that we have a manager who wants to embrace the youth system. If they are good enough, they will be given the opportunity to train with the first team.
"When some of the younger players get that chance, it makes my job easier as a coach because they can see a way through. Where other clubs would use the loan system if they experience injuries or suspensions, the development of young players here is embraced and encouraged.
"Lamar Powell and Darren Jefferies have already been with the first team group and Lamar, of course, went on as a substitute in the pre season game against West Bromwich Albion, which has been encouraging for the rest of the group.
"There will be peaks and troughs in the development of any young player, but the important thing is that they all want to work hard and achieve things in the game."
Another important part of Jerry's work is to keep an eye on the talented youngsters in our Centre of Excellence.
"It's important that take a look at the other age groups in the Centre of Excellence and, with Ken Oram, I hope to be able to put on a few training sessions with some of the age groups, as well as watching some of their games.
"The good thing is that we have a manager who wants to embrace the youth system."
