YM to launch Football Development Academy

Jul 4 2012 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride YM have appointed a football development officer to nurture young footballers from the age of four through their new academy.

Martin Ross is the man charged with developing the club’s budding footballers and has already taken up his duties with the new season just weeks away.

A qualified SFA coach, Martin has trained Pro Youth in Scotland as well as travelling as far afield as Africa where he passed on his skills to numerous children and fellow coaches.

He was awarded Player of the Year at the recent YM awards ceremony and is relishing the opportunity to allow local boys and girls to enjoy football while learning at the same time.

YM’s new man told the News: “This is a great opportunity for young kids to get involved in the sport that they love and to meet new friends.

“The main objectives are to teach the fundamentals of the game whilst ensuring the children are having lots of fun. We are very eager to improve each individual and are working very hard to provide a structure within the club so the boys and girls are given the same level of coaching at every group.

“We see it as imperative that even as young as four, children should be taught about the game, as well as using the ball as much as possible.”

Martin will be assisted by Ryan Smith, another well-qualified coach who has trained Pro Youth, and goalkeeping coach Graeme Robertson Jnr.

The club are now looking for children born in 2007 and 2008 to take part in the first stage of the Academy with the sessions commencing on Sunday, August 8, indoors at Jackton Police College.

Year 2008 will train from 10am until 11am and year 2007 will run from 11am until midday.

All budding young girls and boys who are enrolled will be given a football training strip.

Places are already being snapped up and anyone interested should contact Martin firstly on 07976 500392 or Graeme on 07557 507713 to secure a space.