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June Newsletter

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Star of the Month

Our Star of the Month is John Gemmell! John was awarded our Stroller of the Year award. He was voted by his fellow Strollers and was presented his trophy by Stuart Watson, our Community Programmes Manager. Well done John!

 

Star of the Month

MP Elaine Stewart visits our Honest Men's Club

We had the honour of a visit from local MP, Elaine Stewart. Elaine Stewart is the Labour MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and was visiting to see the work that we do within the local community.
 
We recently received funding, through the National Lottery Community Fund, for our Football for Life programme which aims to provide services to all in the community. An important aspect of this is tackling social isolation, particularly among the older population.
 
With that in mind, Elaine visited our Honest Men’s Club, which is a drop in centre for local males. We also have our Strollers that join after their morning walk. Elaine met with Academy Chairman, Allan Gunning, Head of Academy, David White, and Community Programme Manager, Stuart Watson, to discuss all the good work being carried out by Ayr United Football Academy in the local community. She then joined our Honest Men’s Club for coffee and a cake.
 
The timing was perfect as Jim O’Neil, one of our long term Strollers and attendees of the Honest Men’s Club, turned 90 years old and was presented with a birthday cake which was enjoyed by all!
 
Elaine spent a large amount of time talking with our participants and learning about their experiences and how the Football for Life programme has helped them.
 
If anyone would like more information about any of our Football for Life programme, please email Julie at wellbeing@aufa.org.uk or phone our office on 01292 263435 (Option 2)
Honest Men's Club 4
MP Elaine Stewart visit
Honest Men's Club 5
MP Elaine Stewart visit
Honest Men's Club 6
MP Elaine Stewart visit
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MP Elaine Stewart visit
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MP Elaine Stewart visit

Craig Patterson achieves his UEFA A Licence

Congratulations to Craig Patterson, our Head of Youth Phase and Under 14s Head Coach, who has achieved his UEFA A Licence with the Scottish FA!

Craig has been at Ayr United Football Academy for 7 years, joining us in May 2018. Initially, Craig was involved in our Junior Academy then became an Under 14s assistant coach 6 months later while still running the 2010 Junior Academy team. After 18 months, Craig left the Junior Academy to focus on our Under 14s. Craig then moved to Under 13s Head Coach as he achieved his Advanced Children’s Licence then 2 years later he became Under 14s Head Coach, during which he was promoted to Head of Youth Phase. For season 2025/26, Craig will be the Head Coach of our Under 15s while continuing his role as Head of Youth Phase.

Craig said “I’m delighted to have achieved my UEFA A Licence. I have been on at least one SFA course every year since joining Ayr United Football Academy, and very proud that the hard work has turned into so many qualifications. I believe it’s 11 new qualifications since joining AUFA.”

Craig Patterson

Summer Camps

We are delighted to announce that we will be running 7 weeks of football camps across South Ayrshire this summer!
 
Our full schedule can be found here https://ayr-united-football-academy.classforkids.io/camps 
 

Academy Graduates Success in Season 2024/25

Ayr United Football Academy were delighted to see so many of our Academy Graduates have success throughout Season 2024/25 at their clubs. Below are some highlights:

  • Jamie Hislop (Ayr United) signed his first professional contract
  • Dylan Watret (Ayr United) scored his first professional goal against Dunfermline 
  • Kinlay Bilham (Stenhousemuir) scored his first professional goal against Annan Athletic
  • Dylan Watret (Ayr United), Ollie Ecrepont (Ayr United) and Jamie Hislop (Ayr United) all represented Scotland at their respective age groups
  • Ollie Ecrepont (Ayr United) made his Scotland Men’s U19 debut against Faroe Islands
  • Max Guthrie (Ayr United – on loan at Stranraer) scored his first professional goal against Forfar Athletic
  • Jamie Hislop (Ayr United) made his professional debut when he came on as a late substitute for Ayr United against Queen’s Park at Hampden Park
  • Dylan Watret (Ayr United) made his international debut when he started for Scotland Men’s U19 against Hungary
  • Luke McCowan (Celtic) made his Champions League debut
  • Aaron Weir (Stirling Albion) scored his first professional goal against Bo’ness Athletic
  • Dylan Watret (Ayr United) scored his first goal for Scotland in the Men’s U19 victory over Liechtenstein
  • Scott Tomlinson (Ayr United – on loan at Stenhousemuir) scored his first professional goal against Falkirk
  • David Craig (Ayr United) made his professional debut against Falkirk
  • Aaron Weir (Stirling Albion) signed his first professional contract
  • Kenzie Mitchell made his professional debut against Broxburn Athletic
  • Jamie Hislop (Ayr United) trained with the Scotland Men’s A squad while he was away on International duty with Scotland Men’s U17s
  • Kenzie Mitchell (Ayr United) signed his first professional contract
  • Dylan Watret (Ayr United) won the AU Player Fund Young Player of the Year
  • Ollie Ecrepont (Ayr United – on loan at east Stirlingshire) was named in the SM Media Lowland League Team of the Season
  • Kinlay Bilham (Stenhousemuir) won the Stenhousemuir Young Player of the Year
  • Paul Smith (Annan Athletic) won the Annan Athletic Directors’ Player of the Year
  • Luke McCowan (Celtic) won the Scottish Premiership
  • James Maxwell (Doncaster Rovers) won EFL League Two

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