SHETLAND JUNIOR FOOTBAL ASSOCIATION

The association would like take this opportunity to introduce you to the current committee and coaches as well as summarising some of its activities last year and our proposed trips for this year.

The current committee are

President - Irvine Burgess (Ness), Vice President – Ivor Morrison (Whitedale), Treasurer – Brian Groat (Rangers)

Secretary – Vacant,

Disciplinary Secretary - Vacant

U 14’s Fixture Secretary – Callum Anderson (Independent)

U 16’s Fixture Secretary – James Johnson (Spurs)

U 18’s Fixture Secretary – Patrick Robertson (Hostel)

We feel the Junior Association is in a better place now than it has ever been. This is in the main part due to the efforts of a few hard working and dedicated individuals. Over the past few years the committee have put in place a development plan, which ensures the maximum grant support from the council. We now have a sponsorship deal which will ensure new strips and income well into the future.

We have a development squad at under 11’s and representative squads at under 12’s, 14’s, 16’s & 18’s. We believe that to raise Shetland junior football to the next level we have to get these squads training together on a regular basis and play opposition of a higher standard which is only possible by making trips off the island. To this end, last year the u-11 squad competed in a competition in Orkney, the u-12’s took part in competitions in Orkney and Stirling and the u-14’s & 16’s travelled to Orkney and took part in the AIFF. We also hosted 4 teams from Orkney in September to play inter-county matches at u-12’s, 14’s & 16’s. At no time in the past has there been a better opportunity for young players to enhance themselves. All this has been achieved through the organisational skills of the committee along with the hard work, support and co-operation of coaches and parents.

Of the coaches involved with these squads at present are

U-11/12’s - Archie Constable (Rangers), Robbie Scott (Whitedale), Nigel Flaws (Ness), Glen Gilfilan (Scalloway).

U-14’s – Martin Gibbs (Whitedale), John Irvine (Whalsay)

U-16’s – John-Scott Christie (Delting) & Alan Graham (Independent)

U-18’s – Richie Smith (Rangers), Peter Moncreiff (Independent) and Niall Bristow (Independent)

Goalkeeping Coach - Glen Gillfilan (Scalloway)

Anyone looking to get involved in junior football should contact a member of the committee. Whether it is coaching, fundraising, or just helping out don’t hesitate to contact us. Many hands make light work.

We are currently looking for a new Secretary and Disciplinary Secretary. For more information please contact Irvine Burgess or Brian Groat

Trips planned this year are as follows:

Shetland Junior Football U 18’s Aberdeen Trip 12 April 09

SJF U 13’s Dingwall Trip 22 May to 24 May 09

SJF U 11’s Orkney Trip 22 May to 24 May 09

SJF U 12’s Orkney Trip 5 June to 7 June 09

SJF U 14’s Orkney Trip 29 July to 2 Aug 09

SJF U 12’s Stirling Trip 5 Aug to 10 Aug 09

SJF U 16’s Stirling Trip 5 Aug to Aug 09

The SJFA now has a web site www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/sjfa which you can use to down load forms etc.

More updates in March.