Friday 7th August, 2020 at 4:02pm
It’s been a long five months for the Thistle Weir Youth Academy with more than 140 days passing since the Academy took to the pitch for a training session. On Monday evening, the Academy took the first steps to returning to action with the first training sessions held since March.
While the return to training is an encouraging step for the Academy, the safety of every player was the primary concern for Academy Director Scott Allison and his dedicated team of coaching staff as they planned a return to the pitch. With strict protocols in place, such as temperature testing, a one-way system around the playing area and the Lochinch complex reserved exclusively for Thistle Weir Youth Academy players and staff, the Academy received an unexpected boost courtesy of a parent of an Academy attendee.
Brian Henderson, father of Jake Henderson who currently plays in the under 16 squad, is a director at Stirling Distillery Company who have been producing hand sanitiser for key workers throughout lockdown. They have donated more than 90 bottles of hand sanitiser to the Academy so each player has their own bottle to bring to every training session as the Academy looks to make the training environment as safe as possible for all.
Thistle Weir Youth Academy Director, Scott Allison, said: “While the circumstances were not what anybody would ever have wanted, the spirit of community that was created during lockdown has shown the good that is out there in the community. As we made plans to return to training, we received this very generous offer from Stirling Distillery Company for a donation of hand sanitiser and we appreciate their support.
“We’ve taken every step to make sure our return to training is as safe as it possibly can be as we look to get back into action. This donation means that every player within our Academy will have their own bottle of hand sanitiser which will help ensure our training environment is as safe as possible for all coaches and players.”
Brian Henderson from Stirling Distillery Company said: “We are pleased to help the Thistle Weir Youth Academy with a donation of hand sanitiser that will help make their return to training that little bit safer for everyone.
“We’ve been producing hand sanitiser for key workers including council workers and emergency service personnel throughout lockdown and we’re pleased to play a small part in helping almost 100 youngsters get back to doing what they enjoy the most – playing football with their friends.”
