Soccer centre celebrates

COACHES, players and families turned out to celebrate another successful season of Lochgilphead Soccer Centre (LSC) before commencing the new season.

Thanks to support from Argyll Roofing Company and other local businesses, the soccer centre enjoyed a fabulous evening at Lochgilphead Joint Campus, with many of the players joined by family.

Last year saw a radically revised and expanded awards ceremony to create a more exciting event and, for this year, the format was improved further to display images of all the age groups in their football competitions over the year.

The evening finished with a victory parade from Lochgilphead Red Star 2004s, who showed off the welldeserved league cup the team won in a stunning end-of-season finale in June. The LSC has been coaching many of the youngsters on this team since 2010 so it is a testament to the work of the soccer centre.

With the summer recess now over, training returns today (Friday August 18) and is open for all children from P1 to S2, with a special welcome for all new children including the new P1 pupils. Children are welcome to come along for a taster session and try it out with P1s starting at 6.15pm on the Astroturf outside at Lochgilphead Sports Centre.

Signing up for the new season allows children to take advantage of the soccer centre’s one-year partnership with Coerver, a global leading youth development organisation who will be coming back to take further specialist training sessions with children of all ages. This partnership is supported by community funding from the Co-operative. Access to the Coerver sessions is free for all children registered with LSC.

The LSC is always looking for volunteers and not just for football coaching. Anyone interested should send an email to lochgilpheadsoccercentre@gmail.com and you can also visit the Lochgilphead Soccer Centre Facebook page.

Award winners and age groups: Fair Play Award – Zander Stewart (2008); Euan MacCartan (2007 Dynamo); Harry Turner (2007 Athletico); Gregor Brown (2004).

Most Improved Player – Georgie Todd (2008); Gavin Small (2007 Dynamo); Logan Philips (2007 Athletico); Jasmine McPhie (2004).

Player of the Season – Jade Butler (2008); Jamie Jeffrey (2007 Dynamo); Callum Green (2007 Athletic); Carla Todd (2004).

Players’ Player First of the Season – Tyler Bowness (2008); Rhys Coffield (2007 Dynamo); Ryan Gibson (2007 Athletico); Kieran Caskie (2004).

Bruce West, chairman of LSC, left, and Ben Tustin, vice-chairman, right, presented the proud 2009 trio with their awards.

The youngest Lochgilphead Soccer Centre members show off their awards.

Lochgilphead Soccer Centre 2010 group were delighted with their medals.

Medals for all the 2007 group.

The oldest soccer centre group got dressed up for the occasion.

Smiles all round for the 2008 group.