Braidhurst High School recently hosted a meeting with Motherwell FC and performance development staff from the Scottish FA to review the unique project underway with the school. Motherwell FC representatives Gordon Young, Director of Youth Development, Head of Children’s Section Paul Burns along with Manager Stuart McCall met with Neil Mackintosh Scottish FA Performance Development Manager and Mark Wotte the Scottish FA Performance Director with Rector Derrick Hannan representing the school.

Braidhurst High has been a Scottish FA School of Football for the past five years and was invited to be one of only seven Scottish FA Performance Schools of Football last year. The performance section draws pupils from throughout Lanarkshire and beyond, having been selected by the Scottish FA in consultation with professional club youth development staff. These young players received a football training session each day from Scottish FA coach Gordon Craig using the superb facilities within the school.

Motherwell FC coach Paul Burns delivers sessions to all year groups selected through the well established, School of Football initiative. Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “I was very proud and delighted to host this meeting. It offered us the opportunity to showcase this unique partnership arrangement in terms of youth football development. The local club has formed a mutually beneficial link with the school allowing them to access the first class facilities recently provided thanks to North Lanarkshire Council who have driven the partnership agreement. The facilities are now used by the club every evening as well as weekends for games ensuring that the money spent by the council is fully utilised. I really feel that the model we have jointly developed is a blueprint for football development in this country. The input and support as well as strategic direction by the Scottish FA has also to be recognised. It has been exciting times for everyone involved. For the players attending the school as well as the Motherwell FC youth players this provides them with the very best by way of facilities and extremely high quality coaching. I have been so impressed by the quality of coaching from Paul Burns, Gordon Craig and also the considerable team of Motherwell FC staff in charge of their Youth Academy. This can only be good for the long term future of the local club and football in general”

Motherwell Football Club Academy Director reiterated that the benefit to all parties in the partnership, MFC, NLC, SFA and Braidhurst High school is clear for all to see and with everyone benefiting from what is stage 1 of a multi-phase opportunity. The inroads which have been made in short a time is testimony to the hard work and vision of all involved.