Youth Players try their hand at Athletics

On Thursday 6th of October The Aberdeen FC U11 squad participated in the first of 14 multi-sport sessions that players in the U11 and U12 squads will receive this season. The sessions, arranged by Academy Sport Scientist Patrick Maughan, are designed to allow players participate in other sports and develop transferable movement patterns and skills that can be used in football.

The first session was held at Aberdeen Sports Village, where the players received coaching from 3 coaches from Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club. Aberdeen AAC was formed in 1953 and promotes Athletics to athletes of all ages and abilities, and won Scottish Athletic Club of the Year in 2015. The club have created a pathway utilising the Kids@ASV sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays to develop young athletes.

The U11 squad got to experience coaching in the javelin, sprinting and long jump disciplines from coaches Eoghan, Steven and Kelsey who have a vast experience in coaching athletics. Patrick Maughan, Head of Sport Science said “Allowing players in the younger squads to experience and receive coaching in other sports can help to develop cognitive and physical characteristics that can be utilised within football. We have developed a comprehensive timetable to allow the players to experience a variety of sports, from boxing and rugby to table tennis and badminton.”

For more information on Aberdeen AAC visit www.aberdeenaac.co.uk