Football day to remember
Goal-den time with game legends
Football-mad youngsters from Raploch were given the chance to hone their skills under the watchful eye of top ex-players before quizzing some legends of the Scottish game.
Pupils from Raploch Primary and Our Lady’s Primary took advantage of some top-level coaching on Wednesday thanks to a new initiative led by sportscotland, the national agency for sport, and BBC Scotland.
Former Rangers, Hearts and Scotland midfielder Derek Ferguson and ex-Dundee United and Hibernian star John Rankin joined around 30 boys and girls on the training field at Raploch Campus last Wednesday.
The experienced duo were able to share hints and tips and interesting tales from their years spent in the game.
Derek said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to get involved in a coaching session with the pupils.
“Their enthusiasm for football was obvious from the start and hopefully they learned a few tips along the way as well.
“Maybe we’ll see some of them in a future Scotland squad – you never know.”
The children were also given an insight into the media and sport when radio show Sportsound was broadcast live from the school on Wednesday night.
Former Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson, Aberdeen legend Willie Miller and former Scotland assistant boss Peter Houston were on the panel along with pundit Chick Young.
Presenter Kenny Macintyre hosted the session – giving pupils parents and staff the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the guests.
Both schools hold the sportscotland gold school sport award – a national award that recognises innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport.
Karin Stuart, head teacher at Raploch Primary, said: “This is the kind of event that we hope will motivate our pupils to make sport and physical activity a priority in their lives.”
And Marie Brennan, head teacher at Our Lady’s Primary School, added: “Having coaching from some of Scotland’s biggest names in football is a real treat for the children.
“I hope this is a day they will remember for a very long time.”
We hope it will motivate our pupils to make sport a priority . . .