Olympic Flame Relay Honour for Ali Russell

One of the Associations members, Ali Russell, has been nominated to be one of the 2012 Olympic Games torchbearers when the torch makes its way through Aberdeen on Tuesday 12 June. 

Ali’s nomination story, as it appears on the 2012 Olympic Torchbearers Website, is posted below:

“Despite having been born with poor General Motor Skills and a lack of co-ordination, Ali started to play keyboard and achieved his teaching diploma at age 17. Whilst unable to play football very well, he wanted to be involved in the game and qualified as a SFA Referee also aged 17 and is currently a category 6 referee. He also gained his Queen’s Badge in the Boys’ Brigade and Gold Duke of Edinburgh award through perseverance and determination; he volunteers as a BB Officer, sits on the committee and helps out with the younger people at the croquet club, is involved in the local Amateur Dramatic Society and their Pantomime and helps out with our local folk club.  He is now setting up his own mobile caravan servicing business working evenings and weekends whilst holding down a full-time job.  He still has to work hard at overcoming his co-ordination problem and where most folk would be able to do something second or third go, Ali takes 6 or 7 attempts to get it right. I know he would be extremely proud to be part of the 2012 Olympics and I believe he would inspire others to persevere until they achieve whatever they want and be all they can be. Participation in this torch journey would also indicate that his hard work has been recognised and his own self esteem hightened thus providing impetus for him to carry on.”

Scottish Youth Challenge Cup Final U19s

The Association is pleased to announce a quartet of officials have been selected to officiate at the Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup Final between Goldenhill BC and Bonnyton Thistle, at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie on 6 May 2012.

Derek Taylor:  Referee

Ka Kuen Mo:  Assistant Referee

Matthew Hance:  Assistant Referee

Alex McIntyre:  4th Official

This is proof, again, that members of our Association are being recognised nationally in the latter stages of cup competitions.

Scottish Amateur International Appointment

The Association is pleased to announce the following appointments.

The Scottish Amateur Football Association have appointed a quartet of Aberdeen-based officials to officiate in the match Scottish Amateur FA v Leinster Senior League, at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld on Saturday 14th April.

Referee: Kenny Taylor

Assistant Referee: Matthew Hanse

Assistant Referee~: Fraser Wallace

4th Official – Dave Fleming