Saturday March 9th 2024
David Gray coaching young players.
Two part-time footballers first established the Gold and Gray Soccer Academy in 2016, then based at the Jack Kane centre, Niddire, in the east side of Edinburgh. David Gold plays for Arbroath and Ross Gray for Bonnyrigg Rose and they are both UEFA licensed coaches.
The academy was set up initially, not only to provide opportunities for extra training for boys and girls locally but also to help with the transition into mainstream boys’ and girls’ clubs within the grassroots game. Creating the right football environment was important to Gold and Gray, with children as young as 2-3 starting to play, 8-9 years old looking to fall in love with the game, as well as pro youth players looking to take their game to the next level.
Seven years on, Gold and Gray now have a talented team of coaches all striving to be the best they can be to support every young person’s journey. Delivering Academy sessions, private tuition for single persons and small groups, club sessions and birthday parties as well as their schools programmes which is in more than 40 schools in Scotland.
Gold and Gray operates weekly in 10 different locations across Edinburgh and the Lothians, most recently branching out to Berwick-upon-Tweed. More than 400 players attend each week.
Speaking to David Gold it is very obvious the passion and enthusiasm the footballing duo give to the academy and to the players they coach. He says:
“We want every player to attend with the desire to be the best. Be the best person they can be and the best footballer they can be. For that to happen we need to make sure that any player coming through the door is coming through without the fear of making mistakes. That message, that positive value, is reinforced to every kid. Helping each of them battle any challenges and overcome any barriers to succeeding.
“Developing people and not just players will always be a major factor for us. The academy has taken on more than six coaches from senior school into paid work whilst having over thirty kids for work experience, helping further their chances of reaching their potential.
“Our coaches are patient, honest enthusiastic and make sure the players have a positive experience for playing football. Every session is fun but challenging.”
To find out more visit www.goldandgraysocceracademy.co.uk
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