launched by the manager and players this morning

The Aberdeen first team squad were back in the North East today after their returning from their training camp in England over the weekend and this morning they helped launch the AFC Soccer School 2013.

It officially kicked off today with almost 200 youngsters joining us for a week of top coaching at the Balgownie Playing Fields.

Aberdeen FC Manager Derek McInnes and assistant coach Tony Docherty welcoming everyone before fielding some questions from the participants before the official Soccer School team photo was taken with the kids who stood alongside Russell Anderson and the rest of the squad.

As the children then prepared for their first session with our coaches, who are all SFA accredited, the first team players met the young players and signed autographs.

All week our little midfield marvels and dogged defenders will learn new skills which they can then put into practice in small sided games. There is also a specialised goalkeeping course for all the young budding Langfield’s. The goalies will be coached separately then put in amongst the outfield players during the small sided games.

Soccer School is open to boys and girls aged 6 to 16 years old and runs from 10am until 4pm each day at the Aberdeen University Playing Fields, Balgownie in Bridge of Don and there are still a few places remaining on the second week of Soccer School (beginning 15th of July) To reserve a place please contact the Community Department on (01224) 650432.

The first team players trained at Balgownie alongside the kids this morning and then did a session this afternoon in preparation ahead of the first pre-season game against Buckie Thistle tomorrow night.