Jon De Souza said Brentford’s new indoor Academy facility at Uxbridge High School was “inspirational”.
A new building that will be used by Brentford Football Club’s Academy and students at the school was officially opened in January.
Brentford FC and Uxbridge High School have agreed a partnership to allow players from the Club’s Category Two Football Academy to attend the school and train on site.
As part of the upgrade of the Club’s Youth Development department, a new indoor facility has been built with a fully enclosed 60m by 50m pitch with Third Generation artificial turf.
The building also has learning zones, changing rooms, a gym and a physio room.
Development Squad Manager Jon said his players can use the facility when Brentford’s Training Ground, at Jersey Road, Osterley, was unavailable.
He said the players were “gobsmacked” when they saw it and it motivated them to succeed.
“It is great for us,” said Jon, during an extensive end-of-season interview with Bees Player.
“We can use it when Jersey Road isn't usable.
“We can go across there.
“In February when it was wet we could go across and train when other teams couldn’t.
“We will use it as and when we need it.
“The first time we went there they were gobsmacked.
“I think it is an inspirational venue, one that wouldn’t look out of place anywhere in the country.
“When the players see it, it inspires them and motivates them to do well.
“It shows them the way the Club is going.
“Hopefully the stadium will, be as impressive, Jersey Road is developing, the Club is developing.
“It is good for the players to see it.”
Brentford are also planning to move to a new stadium, in Lionel Road South, before the start of the 2016/17 season.
Jon said the Uxbridge building and the stadium showed where the Club was going.
He said players in the Academy should be aiming to be part of the first Brentford team to play in the new ground.
“The target for the stadium is 2016 and that is a target for our young players,” said Jon.
“As an Academy we want as many players on the pitch for the first game at Lionel Road.
“Everyone from 15 to 19 will be aiming to be on that pitch on the first day.
“Hopefully we will be in The Championship, maybe higher, and can we get as many Academy players on the pitch as possible.
“I would like to think we will do.”
Jon has been at Brentford since the summer of 2011 and said the improvements in that time had not surprised him.
He said with the backing of Brentford FC Owner Matthew Benham and everyone following a single philosophy, good things can happen.
“I did expect it to happen this quickly,” said Jon.
“I knew Matthew was going to back it, he has been very good to everyone at the Football Club.
“The staff are driven individuals and they wanted it to come through.
“With the backing of the owner to make dreams reality I always felt it would happen and in this timescale.
“The Club has a philosophy and that is only good.
“I am not surprised with where we are.”
Over the past season Jon has worked with the First Team, both in training and before matches.
He said he wanted to improve as a coach and that gave him the opportunity to do so.
Jon said he was very pleased Brentford had won promotion from Sky Bet League One but played down his involvement.
“I want to improve and get better, like the players should,” he said.
“My primary role is to support the First Team.
“First and foremost that is to produce players but if I can do anything else in the running of the First Team I will make myself available.
“It also helps me improve and learn.
“I haven’t affected the group, I have helped out and promotion is great but I won’t take any credit for that.
“It is great to have worked with those players and see them with promotion.
“The pathway here is fantastic.
“Players are in the First Team and lots of the staff have.
“It is great for everyone involved to see that if you do well and improve, there are opportunities.”
A full end-of-season interview with Jon De Souza is available on Bees Player.