Midfielder David Stephens won the Player of the Torunament award when Norwich City's Under-16 squad defeated Hungarian side Ferencevaros 1-0 to win the University of Ulster Under-16 Umbro Foyle Cup at the end of July 2006. The young Canaries had also played South East Soccer Academy from Carlow, Glentoran, NECSL and Dundalk Schools

In the autumn of 2006, David embarked on a partnership between the Canaries and the University of Hertfordshire. He leaves lessons behind at Stanborough School in Welwyn one day a week to train with the under-18s squad at Norwich City football club. The youngster completes the rest of his weekly training programme two nights a week with other youngsters at the football development centre set up at the university in Hatfield two years ago to nurture local footballers aged between eight and 14 who have the potential to make it professionally.

David’s talent was spotted by the centre’s coach Laird Budge and the head of sports development at the university Bryn Clark, when the youngster came for a trial two years ago. Laird said: "David’s development over the last two years has been excellent. He has all the attributes to give himself an outstanding chance of reaching his goals and making it as a full-time professional footballer."

As part of the partnership young players selected by Norwich scouts can be invited to attend the university football development centre while coaches at the development centre can recommend any outstanding players to the Norfolk-based club. The arrangement between the centre and the club means that David only has to travel once a week the 120-mile round trip to Norwich for training, fulfilling the rest of his training programme at the centre which is based at Hertfordshire Sports Village on the university’s de Havilland campus, Hatfield Business Park.

In September 2007, David was called up to the Wales Under-17 squad, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Belgium where he started the game but was substituted due to a slight injury. The second game against the Belgians saw David on the bench but he came on after 60 minutes and scored the first goal of the game with a volley from just inside the area - Wales went on to win 2-1.