Local footballing legends have lent their support to a new community programme which aims to turn Tayside into a hotbed of youth football.
Skilz Academy, found and operated by community coaches Fergus Storrier, Billy Mitchell and David Dukes, has already recruited an impressive level of big names including Dundee United “star-maker” Stevie Campbell, former Dundee captain Barry Smith and St Johnstone legend Alan Main.
Whilst there are other youth football schools in the area, Skillz Academy aims to develop players through a number of different measures.
The tactical, technical, physical and psychological sides of the game will all be taught to youngsters.
All three coaches behind the initiative have taken aspects of teaching from the Catalan FA, American soccer schools and Icelandic football.
As a result they believe Skilz Academy will offer players something which is not currently available to children in Tayside.
Fergus Storrier, from the organisation, said: “We’ve seen there’s a gap that exists in football for young people to get access to high quality coaches.
“The game isn’t where it once was.
“Across the country it hasn’t been producing on the world stage for some time.
“What we’ve tried to do is take a number of different practices from round the world and amalgamate them all into this programme.
“We’re aiming really high, but our ambition is for the young people involved.
“It’s a learning curve for the coaches too.”
Plans are already in place to link Skilz Academy players up with Barcelona-based coaches.
It’s hoped home-grown players will then be able to take on Catalan youth teams in organised competitions.
Such has been the popularity of the programme so far, Fergus and his colleagues have had to create new training programmes for older children, goalkeepers and females.
“We were going to offer classes for six and seven-year-olds, but because of the demand we’ve had we’ve had to go up to 14,” said Fergus.
“We’ve done quite a lot of research on the four areas and we’re calling it the 360 programme.
“The coaches are also being given this programme to teach.
“This is very different to what’s out there at present.”
