THE fourth year of the SFA School of Football programme got under way at Vale of Leven Academy last week.

This year’s successful players had to go through two stages before they were offered a place in the scheme, including playing trials, academic reports and interviews.

The successful players are: Leona Boyd Kyle Baird Daryll Burnside Kieran Ely Glen Cameron Brandon Carmouche Calum Hamilton Sean Horwood Cameron Jamieson Dylan Kelly Jordan MacDonald Fraser McCallum Rory McCallum Matthew McMonagle Olivia Oliver Gemma Russell Lewis Scott Declan Sneddon Ross Sweeney Cole Taylor Audrey MacDonald, assistant football development officer at West Dunbartonshire Leisure said: “In total 50 players are currently benefiting from the programme. The School of Football motto is “Person 1st, Player 2nd”, the programme is a project aimed at developing the social and academic skills of young people during their first and second year of the high school.

“We work on the basis that many skills developed while working in football environment are transferable to school work and social situations. Each player had to go through two stages before a place in the programme was offered, this included trials (playing ability), teacher reports and a pupil and parent interview.

“The successful players will be coached by Paul Mooney, he is coming up to his second year in the programme and is educated to C License level. Each player receives five periods of football a week in addition to other subjects, four practical sessions and one theory however on top of this they are required to attend compulsory catch up sessions before school to ensure they don’t fall behind in their studies.

“Congratulations to all who achieved a place.”