AM Soccer continues to provide crucial coaching

But Cupar-based AM Soccer has been doing everything in its power to make sure the area’s young footballers can practice their sport and parents are given some respite from home schooling.

Socially distanced and non-contact training sessions are being delivered on the park while there are other multiple activities being held online during the week.

Daniel Mason, club coordinator, explained: “In all weathers, the coaches have done everything they can to make sure activity can go ahead, most recently spending a Saturday morning clearing the ankle-deep snow to make sure the children had a pitch to play on last Sunday.

"For us this is more than just exercise.

"Being able to provide a safe environment on and off the pitch for the youngsters is huge, not only great for their physical well-being, but their mental well-being too.

"Although the kids can thankfully still have some form of education from home, they're missing out on physical education, which is a compulsory part of school curriculum.

"Our sessions are also giving them the social interaction they need to help develop important life skills such as communication, sharing and understanding, confidence, self-awareness and motivation.”

Parents have been quick to throw their backing behind the efforts of AM Soccer club, saying the on-going coaching is much appreciate during a difficult time.

One, Angela Small, said: “We’ve found this time around harder in lockdown and so having AMSC still able to provide training sessions has had huge benefits for Glen.

"I have seen a big difference in both his physical fitness and mental health.

"Just being able to be outside, and have his teammates around him has helped him through and kept him more positive.”

Another, Pippa Burnie, said the coaching was crucial during a “confusing time” for her five-year-old. "Its given him something to look forward to,” she added.