Gary Ratnik Steps Down from Bradford (Park Avenue) Role

Long-serving Junior Lead leaves after four years

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC has announced the departure of Gary Ratnik, who has served as Junior Lead for over four years. Ratnik leaves the club this week after contributing significantly to the development of the club’s junior and community programmes.

Contributions to Junior and Community Programmes

During his tenure, Ratnik focused on building a sustainable grassroots football setup. He highlighted the growth in quality among coaches, players, and the overall club culture. Under his leadership, the Performance Centre, now known as PlayerLab, expanded to include over 140 participants at its peak.

The programme provided players with opportunities to compete against well-known clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Leeds United, Hull City, Leicester City, Bradford City, Sheffield United, and Burnley. Additionally, a team was taken to compete in the Belfast Cup. The initiative also evolved to include weekly sessions involving first-team players.

School Holiday Camps and Volunteer Recognition

Ratnik played a key role in organising the club’s School Holiday Camps, which recently attracted over 75 young players, with more than 60% being new to the club. He also helped establish the AveyFest Presentations and Junior Volunteer Award Nights, events designed to recognise the efforts of junior players and volunteers.

Expansion of Community Engagement

When Ratnik began, the club’s involvement with local schools was limited. This has since increased to 31 hours of weekly activity across multiple schools. He was also involved in developing the Enrichment Programme for children with special educational needs (SEN) and mentoring scholars as young coaches, volunteers, and club ambassadors.

Facilities and Infrastructure Developments

Since Ratnik’s arrival, the club has seen significant improvements in its facilities, including new stadium features, modular changing rooms, offices, and hospitality areas. Two projects Ratnik highlighted were the creation of a café intended as a welcoming space for members and volunteers, and the development of a new club entrance and shop aimed at improving safety and showcasing the club’s identity. Both projects involved contributions from volunteers and young players.

Legacy and Future Involvement

Ratnik has also contributed to the creation of a new museum and programme shop for matchdays, which he hopes will continue to develop. Although stepping down from his official role, he will remain involved as a volunteer coach for the club’s under-10 team.

Ratnik expressed gratitude towards the club’s management, coaches, parents, and volunteers for their support during his time at Bradford (Park Avenue).