A Junior club in an Aberdeen suburb has become the first of its kind in the country to receive a prestigious Scottish FA award.
Dyce Juniors FC (DJFC) has been recognised for its standards of practice by football’s governing body which has awarded the club its Quality Mark ‘Standard’ award.
“We are delighted to have been recognised by the Scottish FA for our efforts,” said Norman McKay, DJFC President.
“We at DJFC were represented at a Scottish FA roadshow regarding community clubs, and it was thought that this was the way forward and that we should pursue the matter further.
“After discussion with Len Nicol of Dyce Boys Club, who already hold the Quality Mark required as a first step to gaining Community Club status, we decided to move forward and contacted Mark Slater of the Scottish FA for assistance regarding the requirements that were necessary for us to apply for this award. “
The Quality Mark programme helps clubs reach the level of organisation they wish to become.
DJFC has established a clear link between youth and the adult game, a key objective of the Scottish FA’s football development department, by forging a working relationship with Dyce Boys Club.
Mark Slater, a club development manager for the Scottish FA who has helped DJFC achieve its new found status, said: “The club can take huge confidence from this going forward.
“It has now created a link between the boys club with the aim that it can become a feeder club for them in the future.
“It’s brilliant for the Scottish FA’s North region to have the first Junior in Scotland be awarded Quality Mark.
“I hope it has a knock-on effect at Junior clubs across the country.”
Vice-President of DJFC, Bill Thomson, added: “Clubs now know that attaining a Quality Mark award is the first step in improving facilities at your club.
“It increases your opportunities to improving your coaching and structure.
“The process of obtaining the award has brought clubs in the area together.
“We now have coaches on the way to sitting their Scottish FA qualifications and have a pathway between the youth and adult game.”
Andy Gould, head of regional development at the Scottish FA, said he hoped DJFC would be the first of many clubs across the country to establish links between the youth and adult game.
“We’re delighted DJFC has worked with us to establish this pathway," he added.
“Opportunities for playing the game should exist from an early age all the way up into the adult game.
“I wish DJFC all the best in their aspirations to work up the levels within Quality Mark.”