Page 107 - Herioter 2020
P. 107

side of the Atlantic, where we just
                                                                                    know she will be a roaring success, she
                                                                                    does so with our immense gratitude for
                                                                                    everything she has contributed and our
                                                                                    very best wishes.
                                                                                    As we bring down the curtain on
                                                                                    another season, we are as always aware
                                                                                    that none of the enjoyment, successes
                                                                                    or achievements described above
                                                                                    would have been possible without the
                                                                                    commitment, efforts and expertise of
                                                                                    our wonderful team of coaches and
                                                                                    helpers. Maxine Anderson, Val Clark,
                                                                                    Lara Hegarty, Alastair Morrison and
                                                                                    Sinead Watt, take a collective bow.
                                                                                    This season also marks something of
                                                              Heriot’s five SISFA players  a changing of the guard for the club,

          East regional schools’ squad, this time in   hub at The Oriam for early morning   as both Andy Hook and I depart for
          the shape of Nina Hegarty, who has had   training. Furthermore, in addition to   pastures new. Many will not be fully
          a terrific season all round. Furthermore,   participating in successive national U16   aware of the outstanding contribution
          Nina’s squad came within an inch of   and U17 training camps, they were not   Andy has made during these past
          retaining the national trophy, losing out   only selected for the SFA U16 and U17   sixteen years, not only to girls’ football
          to Central region in a penalty shoot out   national squads, but have both also had   at Heriot’s but to the sport in the
          in the final. Well done Nina!         the honour of captaining their country   Scottish independent sector in general
                                               bestowed upon them; just to be clear,   as Head Coach of numerous SISFA
          SFA regional performance             that’s two captains of the national   national squads. There are many
          and national squads                  squad in the same age group from the   players out there, both from Heriot’s
                                               same school! Notwithstanding this    and elsewhere, who have benefited
          Eilidh Adams and Tegan Browning                                           from and developed enormously as a
          continue to make everybody proud:    level of commitment at elite level, their   direct result of the excellence of Andy’s
          following selection for the U16 South   contribution to the sport at Heriot’s   coaching, as have those colleagues
          East regional performance squad, both   remains exceptional; the quality and   fortunate enough to have worked
          are now also attending the performance   amount of coaching they do on the
                                               pitch is unbelievable and the younger   alongside and been mentored by him,
                                               girl footballers at the school truly could   none more so than yours truly! Cheers,
                                               not have better role models, not just   Andy.
                                               on account of their outstanding ability   I for my part have been privileged
                                               and achievements, but crucially also   to have been involved in this project
                                               the exemplary manner in which they   since the very beginning back in 2000
                                               go about their business and conduct   and take genuine pleasure and pride
                                               themselves.                          in how girls’ football has grown and
                                               This year we bid farewell to Charlotte   developed into the thriving club that
                                               Maconachie of S6, our outstanding    Heriot’s Girls FC is today. Working
                                               club captain, the quality of whose   with successive generations of players
                                               contribution to girls’ football, both   and numerous coaches – many
                                               at Heriot’s and with numerous SISFA   themselves former players – truly has
                                               national squads in both the U16 and   provided me with some of the most
                                               U18 age groups throughout the past   fulfilling, enjoyable and memorable
                                               six years has been nothing short of   moments of my entire career, and
                                               superlative. A player who possesses   whilst I look forward to continuing to
                                               that unique ability to produce the kind   coach girls’ football at my new school in
                                               of magical skill and creativity which can   Fife, I also eagerly anticipate hearing and
                                               and so often has been the difference   reading about future successes
                                               during key moments on the big stage   and achievements of Heriot’s teams
                                               – I give you 16 goals in this year’s   and players. Finally, a huge thank you
                                               Scottish Cup run alone, oh yes, and that   to all the players for another
                                               cracker against England at St George’s   unforgettable season and all the very
                                               Park – she will be sorely missed. As she   best for next year and beyond.
          Tegan Browning and Eilidh Adams      prepares to ply her trade on the other   Mr Mark Grant


                                                                                                                   105
   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112