Partick Thistle are to establish a new Youth Academy with the support of Euromillions winners and Jags fans Chris and Colin Weir, who are to provide £750,000 of funding.
The Thistle Weir Youth Academy (TWYA), based at Firhill, aims to create a professional pathway for 120 elite players, while offering the chance to play football to up to 1,000 boys and girls for enjoyment and fitness.
Chairman David Beattie told the club website: "In recent years, Partick Thistle has shown a strong commitment to youth development but we have been looking at ways to take that a step further by creating a youth academy. With the generous support of Chris and Colin Weir, we have been able to make that a reality. I am delighted to announce the establishment of the Thistle Weir Youth Academy with Gerry Britton in charge.”
Academy Director Gerry Britton said: "This is a chance for the Thistle Weir Youth Academy to give hundreds of kids the opportunity to get involved in football, for fun or by creating a path to professional football for others. There is huge potential pool of talent out there and it’s going to be our job at the Thistle Weir Youth Academy to find youngsters and give them everything they need to become the professional footballers of the future that the club and the sport need.”
Colin Weir said: "As longstanding fans of Partick Thistle, we were aware of the club’s ambitions to create a new youth academy. What impressed us was that it wouldn't just be for elite players but would also encourage local youngsters into football for the sheer enjoyment and fun of it."
.png){kind=logo}
