kerryivy1974

The U15s season is now over, all be it for friendlies, Josh was invited to trial for Afc at U10, so happy it never worked out, he chose to turn them down at U13, U14 & U15, along with my backing (his Mum ) He didn't like their pro-youth set up,he also trialled with another pro club, and living in Aberdeen was the negative factor in that case and, although his season has been blighted by injury, we would still make the same choices all over again!

The U15s season is now over, all be it for friendlies, Josh was invited to trial for Afc at U10, so happy it never worked out, he chose to turn them down at U13, U14 & U15, along with my backing (his Mum ) He didn't like their pro-youth set up,he also trialled with another pro club, and living in Aberdeen was the negative factor in that case and, although his season has been blighted by injury, we would still make the same choices all over again!

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

Thanks Kerryivy, on behalf of the Barossa Saints , I hope that we can continue to sponsor the youngsters .
Enjoyed the occasion tonight .

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

I was there representing Barossa Saints(Sponsors) Along with Hoodlam.It was a braw night!!

Good to hear you're enjoying your time at Saints Josh . I mentioned your name as an example of the good footballing talent that is still available at u14 and u15 age level and that all is not lost if you haven't been signed by a pro team by then . Having previously seen Dyce , Hutchie Vale and Gow Valley play at your age level i have no doubts that the Saints u15s will be full of quality players , hopefully you all progress the way Saints hope and we see you in the first team in a few years . Stick in and learn as much as you can to compliment your natural talent and i'm sure you can have a good future in football . Think i might go up and watch an u15 game or two , seems like they're going in the right direction .

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

Hi there,
You won't see me pop on this forum a lot, but I just thought I would say what a fantastic evening Saint's put on for the Youth Academy this evening at Perth Concert Hall, from the U11s up through to the U17s, every player was acknowledged by a wonderful turn out from the Club. From the Chairman Steve Brown, Manager Tommy Wright, Asst Callum Davidson, players Stevie May and David Wotherspoon, Alex Cleland, Peter Loudon and Paul Smith, and various sponsors, this was a wonderful acknowledgment for the lads, with just enough seriousness, motivation and sense of humour that makes it all worth while for parents like me, it's not always easy travelling the distances we do, nights like this make you remember why you do it #COYS!! Thanks

Kacper is a quality player, a real asset to the U15s team ,he's an intelligent player, who performs well in defence, not my place to say if he was chosen or not, he was the only player from the UK to get through to this process, up against some hefty opposition

God luck to Josh!
 
Times have changed, eh  - used to be you had to be called Bob, Bert or Alf to be a footballer! 

Tranmere Saintee, as his Mum, I know where you come from, he never has needed sleep at night, he doesn't struggle to get up, and today, he got plenty sleep in the car in our 5+ hour return journey to Inverness, we were just intrigued to find his name being mentioned on the thread. I am unsure if any fees were ever paid to Dyce, they will certainly accept any money should Josh ever make it though, there are no guarantees in life! The whole physical education, nutrition thing needs looked into in schools, I'm not sure if any child ever receives enough P.E., especially at primary school age, it is a big issue. Saints have let Josh continue play for his school, but do have concerns when injuries crop up, it's a case of trying to find a balance and using common sense, he can be a target for some people unfortunately, and for that reason I try and attend all non Saints games, the traveling to all Saints games is something I just can't do, as a non driver, I rely on a friend for help, and we all know petrol's not cheap!

On another note, just discovered I work beside Daniel Bowers' dad......young lad at Hearts who has been selected for Scotland U-15's

Just feel it would be nice to publicly say well done to Kacper aged 14 who is heading to Poland for international trials. Not seen the lad play but it's encouraging to see that he has the attention of his native Poland. Well done and all the best.

Cracking wee post their Josh, but if you are aiming to be a pro footballer what are you doing up so late on a Saturday night come Sunday Morning
 
Good luck and looking forward to seeing you progress through the U20's soon.

It'll come as no surprise to those who think I could start an argument in an empty room that I both agree and disagree with you. I'll try to keep this short and please bear in mind that as a paid employee of a council there is a limit to what I can actually post online.


 
At present school teachers are hugely ill-prepared and trained to be a long term solution to any of Scotland's physical education, activity and sports based problems. I've written two dissertations on the subject and research shows that Primary School teachers often lack the confidence, knowledge and training to deliver top quality Physical Education at the primary level, which is fundamental to development. I did a 4 year degree course on Primary Education and it was possibly to pass that course with a first having had only 6 hours of input into P.E. and having never actually taught a P.E. lesson. Many councils try to provide P.E. specialists but the review into Primary P.E. recommends 2 hours of quality P.E. each week. Specialists would generally only take half of that. The key to development in football, any sport and the general physical culture of our country is setting a good foundation at that level. At present, the research would suggest that my profession simply isn't equipped to provide the physical education children require. And when you look specifically at football, it has to be said that again there are huge issues. At primary level, all that is required from any adult to take coaching sessions is the SFA's first coaching certificate. Quite frankly this and the second one are about as meaningful as the prize you get out of a cereal packet. I’ve seen people pass these courses that I wouldn’t let open a tin of beans for me let alone be left in charge of children and their development. (I have to say I’m very lucky to be involved in a very good set-up with regards football at my school, with genuinely good coaches to help) When you are aware of these kind of issues it isn’t surprising that some pro-youth teams don’t want any of these people, teachers or not, going near their players. And the problem is many pro-youth clubs will view all teachers, coaches and helpers in this way despite most of them being very competent and capable of actually helping them.


 
What I do agree with is that teachers SHOULD be fundamental to this process. This would take huge investment in both terms of training and facilities. The best example to look to is the Scandinavians, in particular the Swedish. They invested hugely in this and have reaped the rewards. They have 1 hour of P.E. every day and are prepared with quality outdoor education despite having bigger extremes in weather than we do. This has resulted in improvements in physical attainment, attainment across most curricular areas and an improvement in issues like anti-social behaviour and bullying. This has had a huge impact on their sporting culture and success, in both male and female sports. Scotland’s shame isn’t Sectarianism (not that Sectarianism isn’t a huge problem and serious issue) It is our health record. We need to take action and look towards how we deal with these things at Primary level. There are lot of good people out there doing a lot of good and hard work to try and deliver as much as they can. They need more funding and more support.