While the senior players of Polomint are finding life very difficult these days Rustyjack’s thoughts turned to the Youth Academy after reading several excellent reports from Youth Coach Ronnie Stobie. The Nippy Mints are currently sitting top of the The GMC Youth – Series IV 4 with 19 points undefeated after seven games. “After a few poor seasons the current crop of lads are certainly doing well” enthused Ronnie. “There are a couple of young lads in particular we have  hopes for and we have adjusted our training regimes to accommodate them. We all hope the senior team gets over its current problems but the Academy lads have to remain focused on their own games and on their own futures. They are all determined to play for Polomint some day and I’m sure some of the present lads will achieve that”.

Youth Coach Ronnie Stobie

Away from the pressures of the senior team, Rustyjack looked in at the Youth Academy the other day. The young team have had a tough time in the last few seasons but this seems to be their time. They play in GMC Youth League Series IV.4 and after 4 games are sitting top with 10 points. Youth coach Ronnie Stobie says “We have a great bunch of lads at the moment and I can see a bright future in the game for many of them”.

Youth Coach Ronnie Stobie

One of the players who caught Rustyjack’s eye was Struan Galashield. “He is our star striker”, beamed Ronnie. ” He was scouted by Donnell McCarthy in the Central region and joined the Academy on 23 July 2011. He is still only 17 but shows great promise. He is our top scorer with 3 goals so far this season. After several seasons being relegated it would be good for the lads to gain promotion  and, although our priority at the Academy is always training to produce good players, we are on track to be successful in the league this time”.

Rustyjack wished Ronnie and all the players in the Youth Academy good luck and said he would look forward to welcoming them in to the senior squad.

He left with a lot to ponder as the problems in the senior squad returned to his mind.