Media

Class of 2012 ready for Performance Schools

Thursday, 09 August 2012

Mark Wotte today launched the Regional Performance School project, part of the Scottish FA’s £15m commitment to elite talent development.

Seven schools throughout Scotland have been chosen to house the most promising young footballers in their area, with the initial four-year project representing the crown jewels of the Scottish FA’s Performance Strategy.

More than 100 boys and girls made it through a series of football festivals to become the first intake of pupils in the ambitious new project. They will receive specialist training programmes from seven Scottish FA Performance Coaches as part of their curriculum and both the Performance Director and National Team Coach believe the schools are essential in cultivating the new generation of Scottish footballer.

Mark Wotte, Performance Director: “The Regional Performance Schools highlight the Scottish FA’s commitment to elite talent development. We have worked closely with the parents, the local authorities and the clubs to ensure that we provide the best environment to develop top-class young footballers.

“Having access to football around the curriculum is essential and already we have seen success with one of our pilot schools, Graeme High in Falkirk, with the emergence of Craig Sibbald and Paul McMullan at their clubs, Falkirk and Celtic, and with the National Youth Teams.

“The focus will be on technical development – quick eyes and quick feet – but also on cultivating a Best v Best environment and giving our most talented young players more access to football coaching and facilities at a key stage of their development.”

Craig Levein, Scotland National Coach: “I am really excited about the Regional Performance Schools. I have been hugely encouraged by the work undertaken by Mark Wotte and the Performance Coaches to ensure the programme is right. The Scottish FA deserves enormous credit for its commitment to elite talent development but improving the standards of Scottish football at the elite end requires a collaborative approach and we have worked in close association with the schools, the local authorities and the clubs to ensure the pupils get the best football education possible.

“We all want the same thing: better players in our leagues and, ultimately, our national teams. The ultimate aim is that some of the young players who will enrol this month will help Scotland reach the FIFA World Cup finals in 2022.”
 
Regional Performance Schools and Coaches:

Braidhurst High School (Motherwell) - Gordon Craig
Broughton High School (Edinburgh) - Greg Miller
Graeme High School (Falkirk) - Ian Ross
Grange Academy (Kilmarnock) - Andrew Goldie
Hazlehead Academy (Aberdeen) – Iain Jenkins
Holyrood Secondary School (Glasgow) - Brian McLaughlin
St John’s High School (Dundee) - Ray McKinnon