WATCH: Huntly FC launch hands-on children's football experience at Christie Park
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A NEW kids’ football experience has been launched by Huntly FC to engage a new generation of fans and budding players.
A group of 20 boys and girls got professional coaching from head of youth Brian Wright, enjoyed lunch and then got to meet the first team players and management before putting on a football exhibition at half-time of the recent Highland League game with Nairn County.
Gordon Carter, Huntly chairman, said: “We had 20 places and within an hour we had 20 booked and another 20 on a waiting list.
“I think we will do it a minimum of half a dozen times a season.
“Thirty years ago the howling shed on a Saturday was rammed with 10-20-year-olds. All clubs have got a challenge getting young people to come to games.
“We are looking to get them in from primary one and get them involved.
“Getting the kids involved from an early age is the future.”
Alan Hale, first team manager, said: “It is really important to engage with our community. Youngsters are always the blood line of any football club and it has been important to re-engage with the community since we came into the football club.
“This has been many months in the making, with a lot of planning and communication to create the right experience for them and hopefully this can turn into something longer term that will get them into home games each week.
“Everywhere I have gone I have wanted to implement the community side of things.
“You can see it put smiles on the kids faces and that is what it is all about.”
