Young footballers are on health kick

Nov 26 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

A UNIQUE coaching programme between North Lanarkshire Council and Motherwell FC has been hailed an outstanding success.

The breakfast club and development programme involves more than 20 footballers aged 11 and 12 receiving coaching and a healthy breakfast before they go to school.

It takes place twice a week between 7.15am and 8.30 am.

"No other council in Scotland has an agreement with a football club like this," explained Councillor Jim Logue, who’s the council’s Convener of Learning and Leisure Services.

“It encourages those taking part to develop their football skills through repetition and promotes healthy lifestyles as they get a nutritious breakfast.

“This pilot project has been an outstanding success and we are keen to develop it."

Gordon Young, Motherwell’s youth development manager, said: "Young players get to hone their skills by doing simple drills over and over again.

“And by doing this we hope to see a substantial improvement in player development.

"Other athletes like swimmers and cyclists do early morning training sessions and this is about encouraging our players to work hard on their individual techniques and skills.”

He continued: "Most importantly, it is about promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"They go to bed early, get up early, do their training, and then eat a nutritious breakfast before heading to school."

The breakfast club and development programme also aims to develop the attention spans of those taking part.

It is believed that getting up earlier and taking exercise should boost body and mind functions.

It also encourages awareness in food and nutrition which, combined with correct sleep patterns, should lead to a beneficial all-round performance.

After coaching has finished, the players go for a shower, change into their school uniforms and sit down to a healthy breakfast.

The footballers who live outside Motherwell are then taken to school in the Motherwell FC minibus.