Updated : August 26, 2022 1.5 mins read
Updated : August 26, 2022 1.5 mins read
Forces Children Scotland education and aspiration fund helps children and young people from serving, reservist and veteran families to cover costs for sports equipment, private tuition, music and dance lessons, life-changing educational trips and much more.
Forces Children Scotland recently awarded a grant to Conner McMurchy from Helensburgh, who purchased football boots and trainers in preparation for a life-changing experience which could lead to an award of a professional contract with a Portuguese premier league club.
Conner, whose mum is a veteran, having served in the Women’s Royal Army Corps, is bound for Portugal later this year, who will spend ten months at GD Estoril Praia, who play in the Primeira Liga alongside well-known footballing giants, Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP.
His journey started when two coaches from Benfica visited Scotland and, having watched Conner playing, awarded him the Rui Costa prize for the player with the most potential. Having impressed, Conner later attended elite training camps in Portugal and forged connections with Estoril Praia.
Conner will now train with Estoril Praia’s U19 side in Lisbon with a view to earning a professional contract at the end of the ten-month period.
Conner’s mum, Karen, said:
“We’ve always known that he would go play football somewhere, but this is astonishing. It’s not something we ever expected coming from a very rural area. You don’t get the opportunities that the boys in the cities get, and it’s difficult to break into a team or get noticed by a scout.
“He’s fallen in love with Portugal and everything about it, he just can’t wait to go.”
We wish Conner the best of luck in pursuing his footballing dream at Estoril Prai – Boa Sorte!
Are you from a serving, reservist or veteran family in Scotland and would like to know more about our education and aspiration fund?
Please contact familysupport@forceschildrenscotland.org.uk
Forces Children Scotland’s Family Support Services have received funding from the Veterans Foundation and The Scottish Veterans Fund.
