The Scottish FA North Region’s 20/20 Development Centre, now in its second year, is well underway after restarting in August. The programme has been designed to develop elite players at the under-11 and under-12 age bracket and to create a clear pathway to the Scottish FA Performance School based at Hazlehead Academy.

There are currently 26 players who take part in the Friday evening session at Spain Park, Banks O’Dee, travelling from an area covering as far as Banff to Stonehaven and were selected following a successful trial.

Scottish FA Community Coach Scott Duncan said: “The sessions have been going well so far this term. The key focus has been on improving all the players ability in 1v1 situations, developing individual technique by working in small groups called Micro Sessions, and improving the players awareness of options in different areas of the field through possession activities and small sided games.

The selected players all come from various teams such as Aberdeen FC Youth Academy, numerous grass roots clubs and one player from AFC Ladies.

“It is an additional session for all the players” said David.

“It very much looks to compliment the good work already going on at the respective clubs of the players.”

Aiden Leonard aged 10 who plays for Lewis United said: “I like the SFA 20/20 training because you get more practice and I really like doing the Micro Sessions.”

As an added bonus players from the centre were also given the opportunity to play small sided games on the pitch at Pittodrie at half time of the recent Aberdeen FC v Motherwell FC game.

“It was an amazing experience to go on the pitch at Pittodrie” said Aiden.

“My heart was beating really fast before I was about to go on the pitch, but when I came out the tunnel and the fans were all singing, it was amazing.”