Former Sittingbourne assistant manager Darren Pont speaks about his new role at the club as head of player development

Darren Pont is back doing what he enjoys most after stepping down as Sittingbourne assistant manager.

Pont has moved into a new role with the Brickies, overseeing the club’s youth section as head of player development.

It’s a position that suits him well, coming from an academy coaching background at Gillingham.

He worked as No.2 to former boss Darren Blackburn as Sittingbourne enjoyed their best season in nine years, finishing 10th in Isthmian South East.

But he informed Blackburn midway through the campaign of his intention to step away from the first team.

Pont has produced a training programme for the club’s youth teams and wants to get the under-18 and under-23 sides playing the same way as new boss Nick Davis’ first team.

They will all be training at the same time at the Sittingbourne School on Thursday nights next season, which can only help.

“I did 13 years with the Gills academy, youth development is my background,” said Pont.

“I enjoy that more, it’s quite a rewarding role when you see players improve.

“I want to be working with the other coaches, which is what I also did last year, and mentor them. We’ve got some new coaches, so I’m a shoulder to lean on.

“I’ve written a coaching programme for all the age groups to follow, a six-week development plan.

“Rather than turning up not knowing what you’re going to do, the plan is there, you know what you’re working on each week. I think it’s easier if the coaches know what they’re going to be doing.

“I know a club who were quite strict on every age group playing the same way as the first team right the way through.

"I’d like the 18s and 23s to do that, however Nick wants to play, because if you’re going to get called up you need to know what you’re doing.

“The other