COACHES at a local football club have netted a major national honour for setting the benchmark in youth development.

Ardgowan Football Development (AFD) has been honoured with the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) Development award.

The certificate is part of the organisation’s Quality Mark programme, which recognises top performing youth clubs throughout Scotland.

Ardgowan FD is one of a handful of Inverclyde sides to have earned development status, with others currently working towards it.

The Greenock club was unable to make the SFA Quality Mark awards bash at Hampden recently but organisers made sure they did not miss out on receiving their prize and two special guests made the presentation.

Morton boss Kenny Shiels and assistant David Hopkin joined SFA and Inverclyde Council football development officer Stuart Rafferty to hand over a certificate to Ardgowan FD chairman Iain Buchan and congratulate him on the achievement.

Ex-Ton player Stuart said: “It’s a great thing for them to have and means the club is progressing and growing well.

“Also, it shows people they have got key things in place like coaching qualifications, child protection, health and safety and first aid.

“I’m really pleased for Ardgowan.” The club started in 2001 with about 30 youngsters on the books.

Ardgowan FD now boasts nearly 200 players and is one of the area’s most respected youth football organisations.

There are various teams made up of enthusiastic boys and girls.

The club helps develop younger children and when they get to high school age they go on to the feeder club, Gourock YAC.

Iain Buchan, club chairman and co-founder, was presented with their award at Ton’s training base at Parklea in Port Glasgow recently.

He said: “We coach boys and girls and kids with disabilities — we treat them all the same.

“We are a football development club with 25 coaches and 10 youth helpers.

“I’m delighted with the award because the guys put in a lot of hard work and they don’t get paid for it, it’s all voluntary.

“The kids also work very hard.

“It’s a great club to be part of and it was very nice of David Hopkin and Kenny Shiels to present the award to us.” For more information about the club visit www.ardgowanfd.co.uk or find them on Facebook.