Harry has goal in his sights
Youngster wants to get more kids playing football
A young football fanatic is dreaming of starting up his own football academy to help get youngsters “away from screens”.
Harry Baxter (8) of Perth is looking to start a football training group at the Perth Grammar pitches with help from a local senior football club.
Harry and mum Nichola will be headed to Jeanfield Swifts over the weekend to discuss if the club can supply him with gear and support for the sessions, aimed at kids in primary five, six and seven.
He hopes to set up free hour-long Friday sessions for those keen for a kick-about, but who don’t often get the chance.
Mum Nichola said: “He’s only eightyears-old and he is football crazy.
“He wants to encourage others through his love of football.
“It would take place at the Perth Grammar pitches on Friday’s from 6pm.
“The group is for people who don’t play in club teams or just want to have a kick-about.” Harry’s love of football is plan to see. He plays at Saints in the Community training sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with training for Bridge of Earn Community Football Club’s 2009 team on Thursday evenings.
He also plays futsal on Fridays and trains with Celtic youth coaches on Saturdays in Lennoxtown.
And on Sundays he plays in the Bridge of Earn club games before heading to Edinburgh for intense training at the Kevin Thomson Academy.
“He is everywhere training,” Nichola added.
“He’s up at 6.30am playing in the back garden before school and he uses an app on my phone to do exercises.
“He says more people his age are on their iPads and wants them to play outside more.
“He’s got a huge football knowledge.
“He said he will start sessions with warm-ups that are similar to those used by professional players then go through different training regimes to improve people’s games, and then finally go onto full matches.
“He wants to play football and to also make it fun for people that usually don’t play.”
Nichola hopes the meeting with Jeanfield can help Harry’s dream become a reality.
She added: “We couldn’t believe the enthusiasm from Jeanfield when we first spoke about it.
“They may supply bibs and cones and other equipment. They may also have an adult presence at the training.
“Just somebody standing in the background to watch the sessions.
“That’s the type of club they are and they are nice guys who want to help people in the community.
“I think he wants to take it out to Bridge of Earn if it all goes well.
“He also wants to join a football club academy in the future - it’s why he trains so hard.
“Everybody has different ability and he wants to encourage people. “He is so enthusiastic about it.” Harry said: “I will be happy if [this project] is maybe responsible for one or two boys making it in football where they might not have had the chance to start playing before.
“It’s also to get them out of the house and away from screens, for fresh air and to meet new people.”
He’s up at 6.30am playing in the back garden and he uses an app on my phone to do exercises
Mum Nichola