News from the Forth Valley Football Academy

Sponsorship Raffle
The Academy welcomes interest from any business in the area that would like to support Forth Valley as it progresses into its 4 year of development. The Academy is running a Sponsorship Raffle opportunity offering businesses the chance to win a lucrative sponsorship package for season 2016-17. The top prize will see the business become the player training kit sponsor for next year providing a high level of coverage with company logo’s on all Under 10 to Under 17 training kit. The package will also include a partnership launch at the Falkirk Stadium and Ochilview Park, significant coverage on partner websites and social media, promotional advertisements to all parents and partners and invitations to attend all future academy events. Various other prizes are on offer including second and third place prizes securing back of the shirt sponsorship for the home and away tops. The sponsorship raffle offers business the chance to contribute to the future development of players for Falkirk, Stenhousemuir and East Stirlingshire Football Clubs whilst potentially securing a professional sponsorship package for minimal cost.  Raffle tickets can be purchased by contacting the Academy on 01786 449194 or email fvfa2013@gmail.com with the closing date for entries on Friday 10th June 2016. 

International Recognition
Everyone at the academy was delighted when recent academy graduate Reis Peggie achieved an international call up and cap with Scotland U17s, following in the footsteps of Tony Gallagher (U17s) and Kevin OHara (U19s), whom both represented Scotland also during the international break in March. This completed a significant month for our academy as previous academy players Stephen Kinglsey and Scott Arfield achieved significant milestones in their careers. Stephen achieving his 1st team debut start against Arsenal for Swansea FC followed up by another start later in the month and 2 further caps at U21 level and Scott achieving his International debut with Canada. We strive to provide players with an environment which maximises their leaning to allow them to reach their full potential; it is very pleasing to see former players competing at international level.

Development season draws to a close
As Falkirk and Stenhousemuir’s Development Squad season draws to a close we can reflect on what has been a very productive season for the academy to club link and pathways. The development squads are made up of players under the age of 20 with clubs permitted to include up to 5 first team players per game. Throughout the season no fewer than 20 academy U15 and U17s players have represented their respective clubs in the Development squad leagues. Many of the 20 have earned significant game time during the season in a competition which sees them compete against first team players of opposing clubs. The academy would like to thank the clubs and specifically the coaching staff involved at the Development squads for giving the players this invaluable experience and showing belief in their ability. 
             
End of Season Recognition Night
The Academy is delighted to announce our first end of season Recognition Night on Sunday 22nd May 2016 at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa, principle Academy sponsors 2015-16. The evening will present the Academy and partners with the chance to show our appreciation to all players, coaches and parents for their tireless hard work and commitment over the season. The event will also be used to showcase the individual and team development over the year with a large selection of interviews and match footage obtained over the duration of season 2015-16 including a ‘Goal of the Season’ competition. Perhaps more importantly the awards on offer will not be the traditional ‘Player of the Season Awards’ instead players have been selected on behaviours, habits, character traits and standards in line with the academy CORE culture and philosophy. A number of current and ex-players will be in attendance to present the awards. A small number of tickets are available to supporters and local businesses, please contact us on 01786 449194 or email fvfa2013@gmail.com if you wish to attend be part of a fantastic evening.

Bio-banding festival and fixtures
The Academy continues to be at the forefront of exciting and innovative initiatives corresponding with the final fixtures of the season vs Rangers being used as an opportunity to bio-band the players. Instead of the standard year of birth selection the players were grouped in physical size and maturation before competing against Rangers at Ochilview Park and Murray Park on Sunday 15th May. Bio-banding games were also piloted during the recent  Swansea visit, the first of their kind in Scotland. The Academy also attended the first academy biobanding festival which was hosted by Partick Thistle at Lochinch training facility. A total of 52 U10 to U14 players participated in the festival against squads from Thistle, Celtic, St Mirren and Kilmarnock. The format was 5 a-side games split into 6 x 4 minute periods. The academy was incredibly well represented at the festival by a fantastic turn out from coaches and parents with positive feedback from all. We would like to thank Partick Thistle for the invite and hope to be involved in similar opportunities going forward. 

Thank you to all our partners for their continued support