During the winter shutdown there has still been plenty of activity in the Youth Department

Sports Science

The second phase of sports Science testing has been completed thus allowing the coaches to assess the improvement in strength and fitness etc since the start of the season. This will be followed by two more sets of testing, shortly after the re start and then again just prior to the end of season.

Cardiac Assessment in Young Athletes

The Cardiac Assessment in Young Athletes (CAYA) screening programme of all of Kilmarnock's Youth Squad has been completed.

The testing is supported by the Scottish Government Scottish Football Association and Kilmarnock Football Club. This involves a series of tests on the young athletes screening for any conditions which may reduce sporting performance or lead to serious health risks.

Player Assessments/Parents Night

This Annual event was opened by Club Chairman Michael Johnston and involved short presentations by Head of Youth Alan Robertson and Sports Scientist Craig Lawless. However, the main reason for the evening is for all players along with their parent/s to have an individual chat with their relevant coach and go over the assessment form.

Libero International Football Tournament

Last weekend saw Kilmarnock U15s return as triumphant winners of The Libero International Football Tournament held at Toryglen on Sat 13^th and Sunday 14^th of February.

The Tournament consisted of 4 Scottish Teams -Kilmarnock, Stenhousemuir, Celtic and Motherwell and 2 Czech Republic Teams FC Tescoma Zlin and SSK Bilovec

On the Saturday Kilmarnock defeated SSK Bilov 3- 1 and then Stenhousemuir 3-0

On the Sunday they returned to play FC Tescoma Zlin and defeated them 1-0. This gave Kilmarnock maximum points and set a final of Kilmarnock V Celtic.

Kilmarnock 1 - 0 Celtic

In the very early part of the game Celtic looked lively and just shaded the play but then Kilmarnock took the game to Celtic. Bright play by Hainey and Muirhead down the left was equalled by Cameron and Crossan down the right. Half way through the 1^st half Kilmarnock's Crossan scored the all important goal. McNeil managed to get between 2 Celtic centre backs to get on the end of a forward pass to lay off to Thomson. His quick turn deceived the Celtic back line and Andrew Hainey's timely supporting run allowed him to pass it to the unmarked Crossan who shot home at the back post. Celtic duly responded with a flurry but McCormick and Stobo protected both Gks Caddis and Owens throughout. After an untimely tackle on Killie's livewire Thomson a Celtic defender was sent offas the game became more frantic.

In the 2^nd half on a few occasions Celtics tactics allowed them into Killie's box but again the Killie defence stood firm. Replacements McGuire and Trialist came on for Killie and continued the good work. Slooves and Blackwood stood steady in midfield as the games tempo increased.

Both teams had chances to score but none were taken finally in the dying minuets good play by Trialist and McGuire gave Crossan an opportunity to shoot at goal but his shot went over the bar.

Captain Josh Blackwood received the trophy donated by Libero from Tony Asghar

Full Squad over the 2 days - Caddis, Blackwood, Cameron, Beck, Stobo, Julyan, McCormick, Slooves, McGuire, McNeil, Hainey, Owens, Thomson, Muirhead, Wallace, Crossan, McDonald, McCreadie

Youth Games played to week ending 20/21^st Feb

U10s

Two very well matched teams put on an excellent display of skilful passing and, moving at Ralston on Wednesday evening where Killie U10s took on St Mirren. Four new players were added to the Kilmarnock squad and can feel proud of themselves as they kept up with the pace during the high tempo games. A solid performance by both goal keepers kept the scores to a minimum with Kilmarnock looking the slightly brighter squad over the round of games A few special mentions to Kilmarnock's number 15 who took his goals well the number 8 for a few great assist's working well in the middle of the field. Killie number 11 also gave St Mirren a few problems with his stepovers and showed good use of both feet. Number 12 who has found a couple of new positions. Well done to all the boys who participated. More games to follow soon

U11s

Kilmarnock U11s hosted Hibs on Saturday afternoon and with the game played in the sunshine at

Kilwinning. Both teams started brightly with Okan coming close at the start of the game with a weaving run but no great power on the resulting shot. Then it was Hibs turn to have a shot at goal with Sam Authur the Killie goalie making a smart save to deny the Hibs number 10. This however injured Sam and an outfield player TJ Shirkie had to pull on the goalie jersey. Hibs then took command and scored a couple of goals with Ross McKay replying for Killie after Kieran Findlay's excellently executed drive was superbly saved by the Hibs goalie. In the second half Killie took the game to Hibs and Hibs replied in the same fashion with end to end attacking and Thomas Dempsie denying the Hibs striker with a great last ditch tackle. Both Thomas and Liam McKinna were proving a force at the back as they tried to protect TJ in goals whom made some excellent saves. With Okan linking up with Lewis Morrison in midfield it proved to be a catalyst for Killie both scoring great team goals. This trend continued in the second game with Hibs coming out stronger as TJ was no match for the great strikes on goal. However they did battle hard and played well in the second half to make the day a good exercise for the young boys.

In the other 2 games it was Hibs who ended the games stronger as early knocks to Lewis Strapp and Jamie Cook forced some early changes. The changes appeared to stifle Killie's enthusiasm and increased the workload on the two Killie trialist defenders and goal keeper Lyle. Lyle was in called into action on a number of occasions. In the second game the atmosphere was somewhat noisier and just when things started to improve the loss of Craig Brown and Owen McGee left the Killie youngsters with a lot to do. While the team worked hard it was not to the same level as when Kilmarnock were the visitors to Hibs two weeks ago. However, now all the winter shutdown preparations have been completed its back to regular games and an opportunity to get back on track.

U15s

After the success of winning the Libero International Cup the Kilmarnock 15s had a bit of difficulty showing both Motherwell last Tuesday and Rangers on Sunday that Killie were worthy winners of the tournament. Tuesdays outing proved to be an almost non event for the Killie 15s as from the start Motherwell out played and outfought them to gain an early advantage, an advantage that they held to with ease for the remainder of the game. The Killie highlights were few - a well worked goal down the right being scored by Trialist and the performance of Thomson up front and Campbell in midfield.

On Sunday Rangers were the visitors to Almswall and got off to a blistering start as again Killie were caught cold by two early goals which were interspersed by good saves by Killie's keeper Caddis. A change of shape allowed Killie to get a foothold in the game as McNeil went close and Thomson pace caused the Rangers back line some problems. It was unfortunate for Killie then to lose another goal just before the end on the 1^st 30 mins.

In the second session the introduction of Slooves increased Killie's ball retention and similarly McGuire increased the tempo as others were able to play off him in his forward role. Thomson was unlucky when he won the footrace to toe poke the ball past the advancing Ranger GK only to see the ball head narrowly wide. McNeil then hit the post with a glancing header. As part of the planned changes during this session Owens replace Caddis in goal. McCreadie for Julyan, Beck for Thomson and McEvoy for McNeil. This now meant that Killie had four U14s now playing for the remainder of the game.

The 3^rd session continued as the 2^nd. No team was able to take full control but then Killie's Beck brought a good save out of the Rangers GK and then Thomson scored when he met with a well delivered corner from Muirhead whose deliveries into the Rangers box were excellent throughout the day. However Rangers completed the scoring when good work by Campbell, riding 2 heavy challenges, he the inadvertently stood on the ball and fell over! Rangers quickly pounced and the resulting pass and run gave them a penalty which the converted.

In the end it was a disappointing performance in terms of goals lost however with the exception of physical stature the four U14s did not look out of place and no doubt will benefit from the experience.

U17s

After a disappointing performance against Ayr on Wednesday the u17s took on Rangers at Greenwood on Sunday.

The first half was highly competitive and the game was played at a brisk tempo. Both teams tended to cancel each other out and neither goalkeeper was called upon to make many saves however. Rangers were dangerous from set pieces but the Killie defence coped well. Killie's nearest attempt was when Chris Johnston neatly beat his opponent and squared the ball across the face of goal only for Rory McKenzie to be denied by a last ditch tackle.

A combination of a couple of injuries and a shortage of substitutes saw Rangers play most of the second half with ten men and Killie dominated possession and territorially but were unable to score. Some good moves were spoiled by a poor final pass or cross and the nearest they came to scoring was when a well placed pass from Ross Lindsay sent Rory McKenzie through but the Rangers keeper was out quickly to make a good save.

Overall a decent display by Killie but needed a final product from some good possession.

Squad Trialist,S.Davidson,Currie,Fisher,Thorburn,Johnston,McKittrick,Wyllie,Lindsay,Kennedy,McKenzie,Graham,Aitken,McKay,McInally

Matches this week are ALL v Raith Rovers

Saturday 27th Feb

11s 11.00am @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

12s 12.30pm @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

Sunday 28th Feb

13s 2.00pm @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

14s 2.00pm @ Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn, KA11 4HL

15s 11.00am @ Dalgety Bay Sports Centre KY11 9NA

17s 12.00noon @ Kirkcaldy High School KY1 3LR