St Johnstone in the community

Sep 16 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ST JOHNSTONE’S role in the community is ever-expanding, writes Gordon Bannerman.

Atholl Henderson, the SFA community coach based at McDiarmid Park, admits the highly-acclaimed youth coaching sessions are the tip of the iceberg.

The one-time Perth Academy pupil, a Scotland schoolboy cap whose clubs included Celtic and Saints, followed in the bootsteps of Ray Stewart and Harry McKinlay 17 years ago.

In an era when the Scottish Government is promoting values like respect, responsibility and tolerance – using the Scottish Communities League Cup and St Johnstone’s Tuesday home tie with St Mirren as a vehicle – Henderson and his coaching team provide sporting opportunities for more than 3000 children and adults across Perth and Kinross each year.

Everything from weekly Super Skills and schools holiday programmes to Show Racism the Red Card and Football Fans in Training initiatives come under his umbrella at the Crieff Road stadium.

“One way or another around 2500 youngsters are involved in our various projects and last year we recorded 22,700 attendances,” he noted.

Saints, Perth and Kinross Council, Live Active Leisure and The Gannochy Trust have teamed-up with the SFA to roll out grassroots football and associated community initiatives. And there is no sign of the remit being reined in.

With the government trying to tackle childhood obesity in an era when more and more kids are happy to while away hours in front of a television or computer screen, Henderson faces a real challenge.

But he stressed: “There is a real challenge encouraging youngsters to keep active and we are well aware of the importance of stretching out into the community across Perth and Kinross.”

The wide-ranging Scottish Hydro Super Skills coaching programmes encourage kids to show respect to their coaches and fellow participants, to give their best and to take a pride in their kit and other property.

Henderson stressed: “Players have come through the football coaching schemes to make the grade with St Johnstone and talented youngsters are sign-posted towards the football club. But that is a bonus rather than the main goal.

“Football appeals to a lot of youngsters so in general terms they are well-behaved and our coaches don’t encounter too many problems. They are attending our programmes because they want to be there and they have fun.”

Coaches have also scored with Street Football, taking the mobile court into neighbourhoods pinpointed by the police, council and Community Safety Partnership.

Henderson said: “Statistics indicate that where the Street Football court is set-up nuisance calls, complaints to the police and crime rates reduce. The court is unpacked from our mini-bus and trailer, and it’s erected for a two-hour session aimed at kids of various ages. We are out two or three times a week and feedback has been very positive. Assistant community coach Dave Black deserves a lot of credit for his work in this area.”

Schools football initiatives, area youth development squads, the Super J Supporters Club and projects in the pipeline such as a Sports Academy for adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues and autism are all handled from McDiarmid Park.

“Many of these projects are designed to promote healthy living and crime reduction and where possible we have St Johnstone first team players helping promote the message,” added Henderson.

*The Scottish Hydro School Holiday Football at McDiarmid Park is on October 11-14, 18th-21, from 1pm to 2.30pm; Strathearn Campus, Crieff October 11 and 12; 10.30am to noon; Loch Leven Campus, Kinross, October 18 and 19, 10.30am to noon. Visit www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk for further details or contact Atholl on 01738 459095.