Reaching out to the future of our game

As a community club, DAFC now has a strategic intent to reach the future of our game and that is youngsters, particularly under the age of 12.

This year we introduced free season tickets to children under 12.

Our primary schools engagement programme has prospered since its launch in November and we have also developed a good relationship with the Fife Soccer Sevens, who have already visited East End Park twice in recent months. In addition, the Pars Foundation regularly engages with local children through our community coaching classes.

Not only can we identify future players but we can build relationships with youngsters who can become supporters.

Billy Braisby, Director, DAFC commented :-

After a number of discussions, I am delighted to announce that DAFC has now set up a close working relationship with Broxburn United, who are the largest community club within West Lothian, with fantastic facilities. They have 28 teams who play under the Colts banner, with the children coming into the club soccer school at age 5 and from there the club develop the boys and girls and put them into teams at age 7.

"We hope Stephen Wright and his colleagues at the Fife Elite Football Academy will reap the benefit of this in identifying new players, but we also hope DAFC can build a long term relationship with the club too, be it coaches, players and parents to encourage more youngsters to come along to East End Park”.

Our club was delighted to welcome the first group from Broxburn United along to East End Park on Saturday, to watch the match and get a stadium tour. The squad who visited were from the 2005 age group. There are three teams at this age group who play under the Colts banner. The boys have moved through the SFA pathway from Soccer 4's, 5's and are now playing 7's within the West Lothian Soccer Development Association. This is the second season the boys have played sevens and we have it on good authority they are developing well as individuals and a team!

After playing through the age groups, many of the Broxburn United players now play with local junior football teams and some have made the break through into the professional game. For example, Darren Cole and Scott Pittman both currently at Livingston FC, and Liam Henderson at Celtic FC.

The club celebrates it's 40 year anniversary this year, and are delighted that the U19 squad have reached the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in the club’s history. The boys play East End BC from Greenock on Sunday May 10th May at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, kick off 11am.

Final words go to James Pegg, Club Development Manager at Broxburn United who added:-

“I would like to thank everyone at DAFC for the great day on Saturday, everyone that came along had a fantastic day out. Creating magic memories for the boys who are the future of the game is great, well played The Pars. The two female parents who accompanied us on the tour commented, Dunfermline Athletic have shown the way in how to look after the future of the game”.

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