Another football season may have come to a close… but at Sons of Struth Football Academy there’s no slowing down of ambition in providing the best for its young hopefuls of the future.

Priding itself on being a volunteer club with professional standards, the grassroots academy is thrilled to announce a full summer of special training and events — along with its investment in some very nifty advanced technology.

Designed by Danish firm, Veo, the tech in question takes the form of remote analysis equipment, allowing football clubs to record and study its matches and training sessions — at the same time removing the need for a camera to be held for lengthy periods.

Founder and chairman of the academy, Craig Houston, believes the equipment will add a new dimension to youngsters’ experience at the academy, setting it apart from other clubs.

Speaking at the academy’s latest training session at Drumoyne Sports Centre, Craig explains: “It’s quite groundbreaking for grassroots football.

“Our coaches can use the footage for training purposes, such as highlighting how to play out from the back and taking chances in the box. We can sit down with the kids as a group at training.

“Kids and parents can also watch highlights of the game together. If you imagine being a seven-year-old kid watching yourself playing football and scoring a goal, that’s a brilliant experience.

Craig adds: “With the older players we can be more analytical with it, teaching them when to press, when to track back etc. The information it’ll give us will be fantastic.”

Founded three years ago, the academy’s name was chosen in honour of Bill Struth, the legendary Ibrox manager who led Rangers to 30 major trophies between 1920-1954.

With 150 boys and girls participating across ages 2-13, the academy works with Rangers Soccer Schools and receives support from current and former Rangers stars.

With the ethos of building partnerships in Glasgow and beyond, this summer the academy is looking forward to welcoming coaches from Benfica FC, current champions of Portugal’s top flight Primeira Liga.

Sharing more of the academy’s summer programme, Craig says: “At this time of year we shut down for five weeks to give our coaches a break and all the kids to head to the club’s Hummel Training Centre in Auchenhowie to receive training.

“We’ve got two training partners; Rangers Soccer Schools and a company called Coerver, which is a Dutch training method, recognised at one of the best in the world.

“Each come once a month to coach our kids and take quarterly training sessions to get the youngsters coached up on how to be professionals.

“We’re doing a lot to give kids all the experiences that they maybe wouldn’t get at another grassroots club.

Craig adds: “It’s exciting times for Sons of Struth and the academy has been going from strength to strength in the past three years… it’s been a great journey so far.”

In a bid to secure the Veo analysis equipment for next and future seasons, the academy is asking parents to make a small investment towards ensuring the technology is fully available by the autumn. To support the academy’s new groundbreaking technology, follow the links at sonsofstruth.co.uk.