Tuesday 24th October, 2023 at 4:45pm
The Thistle Weir Youth Academy (TWYA) can today announce the appointment of James McHarg as the academy’s new Head of Children’s Phase.
An experienced academy coach most notably at Kilmarnock where he spent 18 years, McHarg arrives at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill following a short spell at Rangers and will work closely with new Academy Director Craig Dargo.
James said: “I’m very proud to have been appointed to this important role in an established academy at such a great club with good people, an academy where there is a clear pathway. The club has long been known across Scottish football for the strength of its academy, which is evident when you look at the players coming through just now, and it’s clear that the environment and people around the academy and club plays a big part in that success which only added to the appeal.
“Working with Craig excites me too and we’ve already identified the short term and longer-term priorities. Between now and Christmas the focus will be building relationships, we’ve already established one new group of players, we’ve delivered a festival and there will be more before the new year. In tandem with that is planning for the long term alongside Craig and other coaching staff in looking at the academy’s framework and curriculum to ensure there is a clear strategic plan for us all to work to and deliver against.”
James began his own coach education at Ayrshire College (then Kilmarnock College) with an HND in Sports Coaching before a placement at Kilmarnock helped kickstart his career. He has also enjoyed involvement with the Scottish FA as a tutor, within club development and the performance school, and hasn’t forgotten the way he was encouraged in those early days.
James added: “I’d always played football at school ages but when I did my first coaching badge – I think I was only 16 at the time – I really liked the way my first coach (John Brown, son of the late Craig Brown) engaged with me and other young players just starting out on their coach education pathway. That’s something that hit a spot and stayed with me.
“In all the jobs I’ve had I’ve tried to pay that back, so if young coaches do reach out to me, I’ll always make sure that I get back to them and try to make sure if there’s anything I or the club can do to help them, whether that’s advice or a placement, I always will. If somebody didn’t take a chance on me, I wouldn’t be with Thistle and the TWYA today so that’s something I will look to continue, as we are today with a couple of volunteers in on placement getting valuable experience.”
Everyone at Partick Thistle Football Club wishes James all the very best in his new role.
Craig Dargo, Academy Director for TWYA, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to attract an academy coach of the calibre of James to join our coaching team at the Thistle Weir Youth Academy. James has an outstanding track record from his work in Scottish football academy coaching across the past two decades and brings not only that experience but also real energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis.
“The Thistle Weir Youth Academy has proven itself with impressive player and coach development in the 10 years since it was created – I’m delighted James has joined us to help drive the academy forward as we begin an exciting new phase for players, parents and coaches alike.”
