The first Advanced Academy session of the 2015/16 season took place at training on Monday 26th October.  The Advanced Academy sessions that are organised throughout the year are one of many incentives that the Youth Academy offer to young players as a reward for high levels of performance in both training and games.  The special guest coach for the first session of the season was Aberdeen FC Club Captain and Youth Academy graduate, Ryan Jack. 

The small coaching group consisting of Joshua Hawkins (Under 10), Finlay Neat (Under 10), Ewen Robertson (Under 11), Callum Duncan (Under 11), Ryan Duncan (Under 12), Kyle Irvine (GK Under 13) who have all showed exceptional ability in training sessions and matches so far this season. 

The group participated in a coaching session with Ryan and Head of Junior Academy, Gavin Levey, which focused on developing awareness and receiving the ball with your back to goal.  Ryan was actively involved in the delivery of the session to the youngsters, who also had the chance to learn from his experiences throughout the session. 

The small group of players embraced the opportunity to learn and train with Aberdeen’s Club Captain and spent the session asking Ryan’s advice on game specific situations.  After the training session the players received a signed photo of Ryan as a memento of the occasion.  Once the Advanced Academy session had finished, the club captain then watched some of the U10, U11 and U12 squad training that was taking place at the same time at Aberdeen Sports Village before meeting all the young players.

Gavin Levey was delighted with the way the session had gone. ‘It was fantastic to have Ryan along as our special guest.  What a great role model he is for all the young players, being a local lad, having been with Aberdeen since the age of nine years, and now captain of the first team.  His enthusiasm towards our Advanced Academy programme was clear for all to see and the boys lapped up every word.  He stayed back afterwards and made sure that he shook every young academy player’s hand and wish them every success with their football journey”.

Ryan also enjoyed his time with the youngsters. “The session brought back a lot of memories. It seems like only yesterday that I was part of the Youth Academy. Things have certainly moved on from then though. I used to train at Seaton Park when the weather was ok and then at Keith Park in the winter on the old style astro turf pitch. The facilities at the Sports Village are very good and are is the ideal environment for the kids to learn the game. I was very impressed with the standard of the young players and also the job Gavin and the other coaches are doing.”