Michael scores his Canadian uni deal

A former Linlithgow Academy pupil has secured a football scholarship at a top sporting university in Canada.

Michael Gould will be part of the Cape Breton University Capers soccer team competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Association.

The Capers, based in Sydney, Nova Scotia are the defending Atlantic University Sport Conference title holders and boast some of the top sporting facilities in the country.

Michael will spend the summer working as a camp counsellor and coach in New York prior to joining up with his team-mates in late August.

The winger caught the eye of Sporting Futures USA during their talent identification matches and impressed Head of Talent David Binnie with his performances, which included a hat-trick in one of the games.

Binnie then recommended the youngster to Cape Breton head coach Dean Morley, who was impressed enough by the footage to offer Michael a scholarship at the university.

Morley said:“I was immediately impressed by Michael’s footage.

“He is physically excellent and has the size, power and pace to really trouble opponents.

“We are excited to welcome Michael to the Caper family.”

David Binnie of Sporting Futures USA, who helped facilitate the move, added: “I am delighted to see Michael take up this opportunity at Cape Breton University.

“Michael is an exciting talent and I am confident that he will realise his potential as a player over in Canada where the emphasis is very much on improving a player’s technique and working to develop their athletic capabilities.

“I am confident that he his in good hands with Coach Morley and he will thoroughly enjoy his experience over there.”

Academically, Michael has just graduated from Forth Valley College with an HND in Sports Coaching with Development in Sport and is hoping to continue those studies to degree level during his time in Canada.