Notice Board

Dreach day doesn't dampen Fun Fours spirit

Thursday, 14 June 2012

A wet day on Orkney didn’t dampen the spirits of local primary school children at a recent Fun 4s Football Festival.
 

193 girls and boys from twelve primary schools enjoyed the event held at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall with basic coaching and fun games being the theme of the day.
 

Active Schools co-ordinator Michael Swanney said: “The weather was disappointing but it didn’t stop the children having fun.
 

“Games of football were played in the correct spirit and the coaching allowed some of them to improve their skills.”
 

Fun Fours aims to create the conditions players such as Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law played in as children.

They are run for five to eight year-olds by the Scottish FA, in partnership with local authorities, in sports centres around the country.
 

Peter Budge, a Scottish FA football development officer for Orkney, said: “I would like to praise all the staff, boys and girls for their enthusiasm on such a poor day.
 

“The girls especially enjoyed the small sided games as they don’t get the opportunity to play very often.
 

“The 12 pitch festival format of 4v4s played on a rotational basis which resulted in loads of touches of the ball and loads of goals.
 

“The numbers have increased every year for the Fun Fours and we look to the continued support of schools and Active School co-ordinators as they and the children are the driving force for such a successful event.
 

“The Orkney Youth Development Group (OYDG) were interested on how the festival was run and they are hoping to use the same format to assist in the development of young players on the island.”