Aberdeen’s triumphant under-16 league title-winning side have been hailed for their attitude, professionalism and maturity.
U16 coach Stuart Duff has urged the young guns to now follow in the footsteps of teen star Alfie Bavidge by pushing for a first-team breakthrough.
The Dons secured the U16 Club Academy Scotland League title at the weekend.
Aberdeen’s rising stars were unbeaten in the league campaign on their run to title glory.
Duff insists it was a deserved reward for putting in the hard graft to go with their natural talent.
Duff said: “The title success is thoroughly deserved and I’m extremely proud of the boys.
“It is just reward for them as they are a very technical group with some real winners.
“They are an extremely good group and a pleasure to work with.
“The players have shown a real maturity and professionalism.
“They work so hard and have taken all the information we have given them on board.
“Ultimately it’s down to their hard work and natural given talent that has got them to this place.”
U16s CAS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 🏆
Congratulations to our U16s who won the U16s Club Academy Scotland League title this afternoon. Well done to all the players and coaches on this achievement. #Champions pic.twitter.com/X1GP7kvYQn
— Aberdeen FC Youth Academy (@AberdeenFCYouth) May 28, 2023
Undefeated league winners
In January, Club Academy Scotland introduced a new league for U16s.
It comprised 10 clubs facing each other home and away.
Aberdeen emerged as invincible table-toppers.
Duff said: “The coaches’ role is to nurture and produce talent that can make the step up into the first team.
“And hopefully go on and make a really good career for themselves.
“I’m really encouraged by what I see coming through.
“They have won the league and have also been introduced to the U18s.
“There is a lot of hard work goes into it from that from both the players and parents.
“The parents deserve a special mention, because it is a big sacrifice they do on a daily and weekly basis to get the kids to training and games.
“They are a huge support to the coaching staff as well. It is a real team effort.”
Beating Rangers to the U16 league title
Last month, the U16s travelled to Greece for the prestigious Elite Neon Cup.
The young Dons topped their group with two wins and a draw from three games.
Ultimately they lost out to Olympiacos in the quarter-final.
Domestically, Aberdeen U16s needed to beat Queens Park at the weekend to secure the title – and delivered with an emphatic 5-1 win.
Duff said: “Rangers had been pushing us all the way and we knew a draw wouldn’t be good enough. We had to win.
“Credit to Rangers as they pushed us all the way. Our players have fed off that.
“We have utilised the younger players as well.
“On a weekly basis we have had five or six of them playing, which is really encouraging.
“They will be in the U16s next year.
“From an academy point of view it has been an excellent process to introduce the younger players and give them a sample of it.
“They are more than capable of playing at that level.”
Early start for a mix of our U15/16 players, who are travelling to Athens this morning to compete in the U16 Neon Cup. #YoungDonsInEurope 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/EvBEknXli2
— Aberdeen FC Youth Academy (@AberdeenFCYouth) April 9, 2023
Assisted by winger Jonny Hayes
Aberdeen born Duff, 41, played for the Dons from 2008 to 2010.
Youth Phase manager Duff has been assisted with the U16s by first team star Jonny Hayes.
Winger/full-back Hayes recently penned a one-year contract extension until summer 2024.
Duff said: “Jonny has been a delight to work with.
“He is just on the beginning of his coaching journey, but I think that will take him far.”
‘Out of their comfort zone’
The primary role of the youth academy is to develop players and push talent through to the first team.
However, Duff insists forging a winning mentality at an early age is also important.
He said: “The introduction of a competitive league at this age is helpful.
“You start to get a test of character more as they are going out of their comfort zone and there are more demands.
“It is almost like installing a winning mentality in them.
“Our training is extremely competitive.
“We try to drive it from there with a real intensity and hard work.
“Then we can replicate that when we come into a game on Saturday.”
Inspired by teen star Alfie Bavidge
Teenage striker Bavidge, 17, earned his first team debut this season and has made five substitute appearances.
Bavidge penned a three-year contract extension earlier this month tying him to the Dons until summer 2026.
Duff says the emerging forward acts as an inspiration to the club’s U16 stars.
He said: “They see the hard work and dedication Alfie has put in.
“He is tied down to a new deal, has been introduced to the first team and trains with them as well.
“Alfie is one the players do look up to, particularly the younger ones.
“They are aware that the pathway for the younger players is there.
“That if they put in the hard work and dedication their ability will shine through.
“Unfortunately, with the nature of the beast, not every kid is going to make it through.
“But the more we can introduce into the first team, the better.
The start of a new week and another inspiration for all the young @AberdeenFC academy players.
Develop ➡️ Inspire ➡️ Reward pic.twitter.com/2RG2TEk0Ub
— Aberdeen FC Youth Academy (@AberdeenFCYouth) April 10, 2023
“Barry (Robson, first-team manager) is more than aware of the talent that is coming through from the academy.
“Barry has his ear to the ground with that.
“It is pleasing from our point of view that we have a manager willing to put in a young boy if he feels he is good enough.”
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