PICTURES: Positive response to Wick Academy open day
Wick Academy had a "really positive" response to an open day at which local youngsters were able to meet the players and take part in a training session at Harmsworth Park.
Youth football club East End brought boys and girls from the under-eight and under-10 age groups to do some coaching drills in the top half of the park on Saturday while Academy's players were put through their paces at the bottom end.
The children also had photo opportunities with club mascot Norrie the Scorrie, while Academy's new light blue away strip was on sale for the first time.
Manager Gary Manson said: "They watched us train and they came into the changing rooms – they were delighted with it.
"Over the last few years we've not done enough in the community to get the youngsters in about. Saturday went very well. All the feedback we've had has been really positive and all the kids seem to have enjoyed themselves.
"There was a good buzz about the place and everyone seemed to have a nice time."
Asked whether the club would run similar events in future, Manson said: "Yes, potentially. It was a successful day all round.
"It made no difference to the players. We just treated it as a normal training session and we got the benefits of that out of it."
One local parent whose seven-year-old son took part said: “It was fab. It was so good.
“They got shown round the changing rooms, then they went and trained on one half while the Wick Academy players were doing a full-on training session on the other side.
“They got pictures with Norrie the Scorrie and got autographs from the players, and they did some penalty shoot-outs with them. It was brilliant, a good experience.
“I think it will encourage the kids to support Wick Academy as well. My son is going to watch Wick Academy now on the back of this.”
