We continued our commitment to inspiring young people across Perth and Kinross with a pair of school visits last week, as head coach Simo Valakari and goalkeepers Ross Sinclair and Kyle Thomson met pupils at Auchtergaven Primary School and Kinnoull Primary School.
The first visit took place at Auchtergaven Primary in Bankfoot. The group spent time speaking to children about the importance of resilience, teamwork and maintaining a positive attitude both on and off the pitch.
With the school’s strong emphasis on values such as being resilient, responsible and achieving their best, the players and coaching staff shared personal experiences from their careers, highlighting how overcoming setbacks and continuing to work hard are key elements of success in football and in life. Pupils also heard about the importance of respecting teammates and opponents, particularly in competitive environments such as local tournaments.
The visit continued at Kinnoull Primary School in Perth. With the school celebrating its rich history and promoting its “River of Learning” ethos, the session focused on being a good team player, showing respect and developing a positive mindset.
Simo, Ross and Kyle engaged with pupils by discussing the realities of professional football, including dealing with challenges, staying motivated and supporting one another as part of a team. The messages aligned closely with the school’s core values of being respectful, responsible and ready to learn.
These visits form part of the club’s ongoing community outreach work, aiming to use football as a platform to inspire the next generation and reinforce positive values among young people across the region.
We would like to thank both schools for their warm welcome and look forward to continuing to build strong connections within the local community.
