Monday 24th October, 2022 at 8:55am
Since 2013, the PTFC player pathway has included a grassroots programme where children could play structured football representing Thistle in local leagues and in the community. This programme has been substantially funded through TWYA from its inception.
At the start of this season, only two grassroots teams remained following a drop off over a number of years from a previous high of seven teams. This reduction was due to a variety of factors, including the impact of the pandemic.
In addition, the success of Partick Thistle Charitable Trust during that period meant it had taken on potential aspects of the grassroots programme, such as holiday camps, after-school programmes and 1-2-1 coaching.
Following a review from the start of this season, it was agreed that the grassroots programme no longer represented the best use of funds by the Academy paying for a part-time grassroots coordinator to oversee just two teams. Therefore, that post was made redundant last week on amicable terms.
Both the affected teams, at 2009s and 2010s age group level, were given the option of completing the season representing TWYA, with continued assisted funding towards facility use. However, one opted to disband and the other chose to continue under a new name. We wish all those involved in both teams our very best wishes going forward.
The work of TWYA is not impacted. It continues to be fully supported by Partick Thistle FC with teams from under-11s through to under-18s operating within the Club Academy Scotland (CAS) programme. These TWYA teams operate at the Performance (Progressive) level of CAS as detailed on the Scottish FA website: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/performance/club-academy-scotland/
Under director Paul McDonald and with the support of full-time coaches Ryan McCann and Craig Mair, it continues at full strength within the Club Academy Scotland programme and all involved are encouraged and excited by the strength of the squads throughout the current player pathway.
Two of our TWYA players, Hayden Borland and Aiden McGinley, have recently received call ups to national squads at their respective age groups. Developing local talent, within both the male and female footballing pathways, remain core concepts for PTFC and the club will continue to strive to make the best use of our resources to maximise developmental opportunities for all players under the TWYA and PTFC banners.
