Big plans for youth football in East Perthshire

May 13 2011 by Andrew Harris, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A VISIONARY Blairgowrie football man has jetted off to Finland with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) this week in an attempt revolutionise youth football in East Perthshire.

Ross Graham, a prominent businessman and football coach in the town, is passionate about improving opportunities for youngsters in the area and is representing the region on what is called a ‘study visit’ where impressive youth development strategies have been in place since the 1970s.

The trip is just one part of Ross’s long-term vision for grass-roots football in this football-mad region of Perthshire.

As a former cup-winning Blairgowrie Juniors manager, Ross is well placed to highlight the necessities for improving standards in the area.

“When I came from East Fife to coach the junior club here, the quality of facilities was a shock to the system,” said Ross, “You could see at first hand in Blair, why our international standing in football has fallen so low, but I thought, we either accept it or do something about it.”

As with all initiatives in Blairgowrie, doing something about it means getting people on board.

An open day at Davie Park last June to gauge parent opinion on the lack of youth teams from under nines to under 14s, a key age group for harnessing talent, found considerable interest in establishing a unified youth model.

Galvanised by this enthusiasm, Ross helped form the Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Sports Club (BRCSC), a working group made up of Amateur team managers, including Rattray and Balmoral, and experts from various professions, to examine how best to improve the footballing environment.

“By not calling it a football club, we are showing people that we are here for the benefit of all sport in East Perthshire,” said Ross.

This inclusion is pivotal if the ultimate aim of BRCSC is to be achieved, a full size third generation (3G) synthetic grass pitch. Ross explained that including rugby, pipe bands, as well as football clubs from Alyth and Coupar Angus, around 600 people would benefit, these figures are key when applying for funding from the Lottery and SportScotland.

SportScotland are currently considering the application and would fund 60-70 per cent of the necessary money, no location for the pitch has been confirmed.

BRCSC isn’t merely a work in progress, they have already made an impact on the footballing world in the area. They are the group behind the establishment of two seven-a-side pitches at Piggylane near the Campus and have raised money to build floodlights and changing facilities there too.

Three new youth teams have been founded, called ‘Blairgowrie Youths’ at under eight, nine and 10 who represent the fledgling steps to fulfil Ross’s dream of a single footballing identity for Blairgowrie.

“We want to create a unified identity where all levels are the same, maybe even wearing the famous white and blue of Blairgowrie,” Ross said.

An acrimonious departure from Blairgowrie Juniors earlier in the year, with Ross citing “differences of opinion” on how to take the club forward, has, so far, prevented a unification of all footballing interests in the town but Ross said he would like to see one of East Perthshire’s footballing giants play a part in developing local talent.

“For most young people in the area, to play for Blair Juniors is the most realistic goal, the highest level they could play at.

“They should be encouraging youth development as it will only benefit them in the long-term and can safeguard their future.”