Virtual training session for St Andrews and East Neuk girls

With training and playing banned for the next few weeks at the very least, the coaches have had to think of new ways to ensure no fitness is lost.

Head coach, Olivia Blair, and event organiser, Lynne Bryson, have both been creative in coming up with a variety of ways in which the group of almost 70 girls can maintain their footballing interests – not only that, but keep connected to the wider community at the same time.

Just as the season was getting under way last month, the girls topped up their training with a Saturday afternoon Boogie Bounce, a term for aerobic exercising on trampolines.

Under the supervision of specialist coach Cheryl Walton and her assistant Paula, Everyone had a blast.

After that, each of the club’s teams won their opening fixtures of the 2020 campaign before match and coaching action came to a shuddering halt.

John Drysdale, chairman of the club, said: “As in all other sports and recreations, the extended break from football has meant that our young players have had to find other ways to spend their time and to keep fit and active.

“To encourage this our committee got together online and came up with some plans to ensure the spirit of our girls’ football club would keep alive for however long it takes.

“Head coach Olivia has delivered a set of drills and skills via short video clips posted on the club’s Facebook account.

“Starting with basic ball control skills, the difficulty rating scales up, with the ultimate challenge being the rainbow kick.”

To maintain their links with the community, the girls have also been cheering up residents of Balnacarron Care Home, where each has been linked up with a pen pal to help brighten up their day with letters and pictures.

Mr Drysdale added: “New friendships have been formed across the generations. We’ll be sure that, top of our list when life returns to normal, will be a visit by our girls to Balnacarron, so that faces can be put to the names of their various pen-pals.”

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