New Overseer Appointed By SFA

Last updated : 07 January 2021 By Ed_ScottishFitba
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His new remit will include developing, overseeing and implementing a strategy for performance at the elite level of the Scottish game, developing youth players at club level and onto the international stage. He will also oversee the operations of the men’s and women’s national teams at all levels, as well as continuing in his role as lead of the organisation’s grassroots football initiatives.

SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: "Andy brings with him a wealth of experience to the role in both grassroots and elite level football and was the outstanding choice to spearhead the development of these key areas. In reviewing our operation we identified that we wanted to create greater synergy between our football development and performance areas, with so much of their work overlapping. In these uncertain times, grassroots football and the professional game have vital roles to play in delivering invaluable mental and physical well-being benefits and entertainment. Andy’s experience will be a tremendous benefit as we strive to get as many people as possible participating in Scottish football and developing our elite talent to compete on the international stage."

Gould said: "Having worked in the development of Scottish football for more than 25 years across all levels, I’m fully conscious of the responsibility that comes with this role in order to capitalise on the opportunities that await Scottish football. There are some particularly exciting areas that I look forward to progressing, including the continued growth of the girls’ and women’s game, the opportunity to harness and build on the inspiration of our men’s national team through their participation at EURO 2020 this summer and the opportunity to provide even greater support to our network of clubs across the country. There are fantastic staff working across the development of the game at association level and in our clubs and my intention is to build on those relationships further. The immediate priority will be to continue to support our game through this pandemic and put our energies into ensuring people can return to the pitch safely by working with and helping our clubs and coaches at all levels to achieve this. We’ve seen during these challenging times the passion, commitment and creative approach people have in our game. I aim to harness this energy to help establish plans, programmes and ways of working, which can ultimately see us use the power of football to inspire more people to play the game and to support those with potential and ambition to reach the very top.

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