The school was delighted to recently learn that two fifth year pupils Scott burns and Jai Quitongo had been selected for the Scottish under 18 team for 2014. This followed a series of trials at regional and national levels. Both boys joined the school through the Scottish FA School of Football initiative whereby they received coaching for a period each day. Scott comes from Airdrie and is currently a defender playing with Motherwell FC under 17’s whilst Jai comes from Wishaw and is a forward playing with Hamilton Accies under 17’s. The boys were recently kitted out at Hampden to represent their country. The team will play a range of preparation games including games against Dundee United and Falkirk prior to playing Northern Ireland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and England. The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “Everyone at the school is delighted for Scott and Jai. They joined the school five years ago and have certainly benefitted from the daily football coaching sessions. Both boys are excellent players and have worked hard at their game. They are doing very well at their professional clubs and as they are only 16 years of age and getting into the Scotland under 18 team, their futures seems bright. As a school we have ensured their academic standards have been maintained whilst supporting their football development in parallel with their professional clubs. It has been an excellent example of partnership working with Motherwell and Hamilton FC with great support from their parents.

Scott Burns commented “I feel that the school has been very supportive to me in the years I have been here, both in football and in education. The school of football is one of the great features of the school, it has helped me develop to be the player I am just now. Without it I doubt I would be playing at as high of level of which I am just now. I would really encourage everybody to try to get in, boys or girls, if you enjoy football it is a great place to be”.

Jai Quitongo said “Braidhurst is a great school and I have loved getting football everyday. The coaching has been excellent and really helped get me to this standard. I am so proud to represent Scotland”.