Wright Way for Youth

Blend sought by new Head of Youth:- "I have to identify coaches that are suited to an age, to give them as much information as I can to help them develop the kids."

Stephen Wright was approached by Manager Jim McIntyre and Jim Leishman to sound him out on taking up the position as Head of Youth:-

"Initially I wanted to still stay with the first team and I am hoping that is going to be the case but I am going from First Team coach to Head of Youth. I am just playing it by ear just now until I see what my team is going to be like. I really want to get my teeth into Head of Youth."

The role involves being in charge of Under 10s up to Under 19s making sure that there are the requisite number of coaches, the scouting system and all the ongoing matters. Four years spent in the youth system at Rangers has given Stephen experience that we hopes to use at Dunfermline:-

"I worked with the community side for a couple of years before moving into the Academy and coached Under 12s all the way up to Under 19s before I arrived here to work with Jim and Gerry in the first team.

"My objective is to take kids through to the first team. It takes five or six years, it is a long process."

Through choice the majority of the last seasons coaching staff left before Stephen had the opportunity to give them a chance.

"It was up to them and now it is up to me to get coaches in and start afresh. I am starting to get coaches in place, it takes a bit of time because we need two qualified to level 4 coaches in each age group. I have to make sure that they have got it before they come in to work."

To coach 5 year olds to 11 year olds the coaches will require Level 4 of the Childrens Licence and to coach 12 year olds and over a Level 4 of Youth Licence. Stephen has had his work cut out finding coaches qualified to that extent and able to join Stevie Paterson, Keith Smeaton and Roger Arnott in the coaching team.

"Most of the squads are in place, the parent nights have been done and the players resigned. A few squads need topped up so we start bringing kids in."

A good coach is one that can get the best out of individuals and Stephen recognises that some are better suited to working with 11 year olds than 16 year olds and vice versa.

"It is just getting the right blend. I have to identify coaches that are suited to an age, to give them as much information as I can to help them develop the kids. You are learning all the time; I worked at Rangers for four years but I am still desperate to learn and hopefully the coaches that I bring in will be open minded and can all work together.

"It is not about a coach winning a game, not about results and league tables it is first and foremost about getting kids through the system - learning the right way to play football. Making sure the environment is right for them, that they are having fun and enjoying it."

The Dunfermline Under 11s up to Under 17s will be part of the SFA's Performance Leagues and Stephen Wright will be overlooking the coaching, watching games and assist develop coaches.