The young players at Cumnock Academy's Scottish FA School of Football learned some new techniques thanks to a skills session with Kilmarnock’s Mehdi Taouil.
The Moroccan midfielder revealed the secret behind some of his flicks and tricks, as he and team mate Tim Clancy put the young players through their paces in a visit to the East Ayrshire School.
Mehdi and Tim also took part in a question and answer session, and gave away signed Kilmarnock goodies to the 16 first year pupils taking part in the School of Football programme.
Cumnock Academy is one of six Scottish FA Schools of Football across the country. The player-centred initiative focuses on the educational, social and football development of selected players from six targeted disadvantaged areas, one from each of the Scottish FA regions.
Up to 20 Primary 7 pupils per area were chosen, based upon various criteria, to benefit from an enhanced football coaching programme as well as a wide range of academic and social development activities during their first two years at High School.
Using football as a tool to retain players’ interests, selection and retention in the programme is based very much on school attendance and academic improvement.
The Schools of Football are funded through the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme, which diverts cash seized from criminals back into communities.