Pupils at our partner school, Northfield Academy, started our ‘School of Football’ programme this term and kicked off the event with a contract signing for 2020/2021.

As part of the event the pupils got an introduction to the programme, signed their contract for the year and were presented with the new Aberdeen FC home shirts, which were kindly donated by AberDNA members!

Within their ‘contract’ was the pupils code of conduct for the year as well as personal profiles, where pupils have reflected on their strengths and weaknesses and set themselves goals on and off the pitch for term 2 and beyond. In the future this will allow pupils to reflect on their profile and see how much they have grown since the start of the programme.

Laura Westland, AFCCT Assistant Community Coach based at Northfield Academy:

“It’s great to have so many pupils involved in the programme again this year. Pupils will have many opportunities to really push on and use school of football to build valuable skills. I’m extremely proud of both groups so far in adapting back into the school environment and look forward to seeing them grow.”

‘School of Football’ is a project based at Northfield Academy with the aim of working with the pupils to develop social and academic skills. Pupils taking part in the programme will work in a football environment to learn new skills which they can transfer to their schoolwork and social situations. Additionally, with the enforced message of the importance of being a role model the programme helps pupils develop into positive role models within the school community.

Syed Wood, School of Football Participant:

“I enjoy being a part of ‘School of Football’ because it helps my mindset and behaviour and I make better choices as I want to be a part of the programme to get lots of opportunities like I did at Manor Park with AFCCT”

Alex Priest, Deputy Headteacher at Northfield Academy:

“We are so proud of our partnership with Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust. Now in its 5^th year at Northfield Academy the programme has grown over the years and provided opportunities for hundreds of young people to develop not just their football but personal skills including leadership, teamwork and communication. We currently have over 50 pupils throughout years S1 to S3 who are benefiting from having School of Football in their school timetable. We know our partnership will continue to grow and we are looking forward to developing exciting new pathways which benefit the young people both in school and when they transition into life and work.”

“This year AberDNA members donated brand new shirts for all of our ‘School of Football’ pupils. Watching the young people excitedly open their shirts and putting them straight on was an amazing experience. They are so delighted with their shirts and they proudly wear them in school and the community. Northfield Academy would like to deeply thank AberDNA members for their incredible donation.”