Senior pupils from Turnbull High School in Bishopbriggs are the latest to benefit from the Scottish FA's partnership with the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme.
Three S5 boys, Nicholas Devlin, David Leadbetter and Anthony Luby, all took part in the Level 1 Early Touches course in September last year as part of an East Dunbartonshire-wide project, and have since committed their time to running the S1 boys team.
All three boys take training on a weekly basis and support the PE teacher on match days. The S1 boys have recently won their respective league, are into the final of the League Cup, and were unlucky to lose in the Scottish Cup on penalties.
Cashback for Communities is a Government scheme that ploughs the proceeds of crime back into communities. As part of a partnership with the Scottish FA, the funding provides places on volunteer coach education courses and allows coaches to gain work experience.
Head of PE, Diane Irvine commented: “These three boys have, throughout this school year, been extremely conscientious in their capacity as coaches to our S1 boys. The ethos they always promote is one of respect, encouragement, self discipline and determination. They have become role models to these young boys and should be commended for their attitude.”
Stuart Alexander, football development officer for the area also added: “It is great to see that this project is committed to creating opportunities for volunteers of all ages to get involved and help support and develop the game. This has allowed schools to recruit pupils to help run their school teams, without relying on other teachers to give up their time when it is at a premium.”