Information Bulletin
02 June 2005
Ross County FC backs Shetland Football
Shetland football had a boost this week with a visit from two coaching staff from Ross County Football Club. Gavin Levey and Neil Mackintosh of Ross County FC spent a packed week leading football sessions with the men’s, women’s and junior county squads and with schoolchildren across Shetland.
The Shetland men’s and women’s squads are in the final stages of preparations for the NatWest Island Games in July – now only around six weeks away – and the junior squad is only a fortnight away from the annual inter-county fixture in Orkney.
Niall Bristow, Shetland Men’s Football Team Manager commented – “The timing of this visit is ideal just before the Games and the input of professional staff has been well received by players and coaches.”
The two coaches from Dingwall also spent two evenings delivering an Scottish Football Association (SFA) “Early Touches” coaching award. Twenty five coaches from football clubs and leisure centres throughout Shetland attended the six-hour course, with the first session held in Brae on Monday and the second session in Lerwick on Wednesday night. The “Early Touches” award is the first step on the SFA coaching ladder for coaches working with children of primary school age.
The staff of the Shetland Islands Council’s Active Schools Team also worked with school staff to set up the programme of schools visits, including primary and secondary pupils, including those with additional support needs, in Whalsay, Aith, Brae and Lerwick.
Commenting on their first visit to Shetland, Neil Mackintosh of Ross County FC remarked – “We have been impressed with the enthusiasm and fitness of the schoolchildren and the talent and commitment of the players and coaches we have met. We look forward to returning again soon, in what we hope will be a long partnership between the SFA, Ross County FC and Shetland.”
The visit has been organised by the Community Development Service of Shetland Island Council and supported by The Big Lottery Fund.
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