Players net awards for training

Lauder College deliver an eleven to lift awards. Modern Apprenticeships in Sport and Recreation and Scottish Vocational Qualification (level 2) in Activity Leadership.

Three young Dunfermline Athletic players are celebrating a fantastic result, having achieved their goals through the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) course and they, along with 8 other DAFC trainees,  received certificates from Club Chairman John Yorkston and Lauder College Principal Professor Bill McIntosh on Thursday 9 November.

DAFC youngsters, Clark Kay, Nicholas Phinn and Greg Ross tackled the course at East EndPark in conjunction with Lauder College and have all netted Modern Apprenticeships in Sport and Recreation.

Youth team members Neil Fenwick, Patrick Halpin, Derek Howie, Alan McDonough, Sean Mushin, David Muir, Greg Paterson, Calum Smith and Iain Williamson have all successfully completed the Scottish Vocational Qualification (level 2) in Activity Leadership.

Lauder has an excellent record of success with Modern Apprenticeship and training courses with the club. In 1999 Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, together with LauderCollege, produced the first Sport and Recreation Modern Apprentices in Scotland.

Bill McIntosh, Lauder College Principal said 'On behalf of the staff of LauderCollege, I congratulate the young players on their success and compliment Dunfermline Athletic on their record of investment in education and training for young people. We are very pleased to work with the Club and look forward to a continuing partnership.'

Spokesperson for the football club said 'The Dunfermline Athletic Youth Development Programme has been running since 1999. The aim of the Youth Development programme is to feed as much home grown talent into the under 19's and then U21's as possible. Grass root development is essential to the future of Scottish Football. The Youth Development Programme is the pathway for young players into our Youth Squad.'

'A key element of the programme is that those participating within DAFC's Youth Development Programme study for a Modern Apprenticeship with LauderCollege. This means that at the end of their time with us if they don't then progress into full time football they do come out of the end our programme with a recognised qualification.'

SkillsActive is the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning and its work includes:-
* increasing the awareness
* promoting the importance of education
* training across the Sport and Recreation Sector and
* promoting lifelong learning.

Pam Scott, SkillsActive, Scotland representative present at the presentation, said 'Training courses such as these are a valuable and worthwhile experience for young people making their way in their chosen profession. Its always very pleasing to see candidates successfully completing Modern Apprenticeships and SVQ qualifications and I would like to congratulate all the youngsters on their achievement.'

Trainees who received their Sport and Recreation Modern Apprenticeship Certificates:-
Clark Kay
Nick Phinn
Greg Ross

Trainees who received SVQ Level 2 in Sport and Recreation Certificates (these trainees are now progressing towards the Modern Apprenticeship Award):-
Neil Fenwick
Patrick Halpin
Derek Howie
Alan McDonough
Sean Mushin
David Muir
Greg Paterson
Calum Smith
Iain Williamson.