(l to r) Tom Elliott, Nicolas Caraux, Dougie Imrie, Warren Hawke, Crawford Rae, Alan Baker (MD, 2020 Renewables), Douglas Rae and Andy Kelly (Project Manager, sportscotland)
Greenock Morton Community Trust were delighted to welcome the children of St Andrew’s Primary School last Monday as they helped officially launch the newly expanded Mini Morton football coaching sessions. Tom Elliott, Community Engagement Manager delivered a fun training session on the perfect pitch at Cappielow for the children who were thrilled when some of the first team players joined them for a kick about.
Alan Baker, Managing Director, of Greenock based 2020 Renewables who are sponsoring the Mini Morton initiative said: “Greenock Morton Community Trust are to be commended for setting up this programme. When they approached us with the idea we were delighted to join forces and lend our support. Getting youngsters involved in physical exercise is a great idea at any time but this scheme has the added bonus of being taught to play football by qualified coaches. Hopefully, lots of Inverclyde kids will sign up and who knows we may unearth a future first team player.”
Also in attendance was Andy Kelly, Project Manager from sportscotland, who are supporting this venture through their investment stream Sportsmatch, and he said: “We are really pleased to be a part of this tremendous community-based programme by providing investment which assists in hiring venues and coaching fees. The Mini-Morton football coaching sessions provide youngsters in Inverclyde with terrific opportunities to development their talent and enjoy themselves taking part in sport. Greenock Morton Community Trust is doing some excellent work by expanding this successful programme, and it is an example of a strong partnership with sportscotland, Greenock Morton Football Club and 2020 Renewables delivering for the local community.”
Douglas Rae and kids enjoyed a kick about on the perfect pitch at Cappielow
Warren Hawke, Consultant for Club Development gave a presentation to invitees including Mr Douglas Rae (Chairman of GMFC), Crawford Rae (Chairman of GMCT), Provost Robert Moran and Ronnie Ahlfeld (Designated Champion for Sport, Inverclyde Council). GMCT are a charitable trust that has been established to engage with social inclusion projects, utilising the power of the Morton FC brand to add value across all initiatives while engaging within the area of Inverclyde across all ages.
Above : children from St Andrew’s Primary School were thrilled to get to see the Scottish Communities League Cup along with first team players: Dougie Imrie, Mark McLaughlan, Fouad Bachirou & Nicolas Caraux
Tom Elliott, Community Engagement Manager commented that “the expansion of the Mini Morton programme will provide more children from a young age the opportunity to get involved while allowing us to grow the programme in the excellent facilities in the Inverclyde area.”
For more information on the Mini Morton programme please visit the GMCT website www.mortoncommunity.net where you can also book your place and get involved.
Photos by George Munro