Three boys from Dumfries and Galloway schools have been selected by the Scottish Schools’ Football Association to represent Scotland at under 18 level
Adam Kirkwood (Stranraer Academy), Callum Laing (St Joseph’s College) and Fraser Morton (Wallace Hall Academy) were spotted following a rigorous selection process involving inter-district, regional and national trials.
A travel grant from Dumfries and Galloway Council Dumfries and Galloway Schools’ Football Association enabled the school teams to travel to fixtures and trials where the boys were spotted by the Scottish Schools’ national selectors.
Stuart Binnie, President of the Dumfries and Galloway Schools’ Football Association, said, “We’re absolutely delighted that Adam, Callum and Fraser are continuing the strong tradition of footballers from Dumfries and Galloway representing Scotland at national level. Our thanks go to the PE staff, coaches at local clubs, and parents who have nurtured the boys’ talent, to their schools who have supported their footballing development, and to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the financial support, which helped us make sure these boys were seen by the national selectors. While Dumfries and Galloway boys have regularly represented their country at the highest level in schools’ football, it is over thirty years since we last had three boys in an under 18 national squad. This is a tremendous achievement for one of the smaller regions in the Scottish Schools’ Football Association.”
Councillor Jeff Leaver, Chairman of the Education Committee, said, “Providing the best start in life for all our children is a priority for our Council. These boys are to be congratulated on their hard work and commitment. In these days of straightened financial circumstances it’s importamt to remember how a relatively small amount of money can make a very big difference to the lives of our young people.”
Adam and Callum, defenders, and Fraser, a goalkeeper, will now have the opportunity to represent Scotland in the forthcoming Centenary Shield competition. The Centenary Shield, which is currently held by the Republic of Ireland, was first played for in 1973 to mark the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Scottish Football Association. The competition involves fixtures against national under 18 teams from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in March and April 2016.
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