DUYDB BECOME OUR ACADEMY'S FIRST EVER SLEEVE SPONSOR

Dundee United are pleased to display the logo of DUYDB on the sleeves of the new 2020/21 training and match day kit of Our Academy.

Since its establishment in late 2016, the Youth Board has provided financial support well in excess of £100,000 for Academy resources and activities that has helped Our Academy flourish despite the challenges over the last few years and, crucially, through the pandemic lockdown. 

During the lockdown that support has been vital with DUYDB funding providing technical performance resources with over 100 individual and position specific practices shared with over 900 clubs worldwide, 15 technical competitions, four performance analysis workshops plus 2000 minutes of game model analysis, over 1000 minutes of position specific workshops, three Parents United workshops and over 1500 minutes of virtual technical coaching.

The funding has also made possible weekly age specific programmes, the creation of new partnerships in the USA, UAE, Thailand and Australia as well as ongoing player and family support, mental and tactical performance tasks, virtual Masterclasses with Andy Robertson, Billy Gilmour, past and present graduates, plus Siegrist, Conolly, Harkes and Shankland. DUYDB also funded staff education programmes including workshops with best practice across the world.

As a small thank you for this on-going support, the DUYDB logo will be displayed on both training and match apparel at various age levels and across staff uniforms also. 

Academy Director Andy Goldie said: "We're absolutely delighted to proudly wear the Youth Board now on our sleeve of the playing, training and all staff kits. The Youth Board have been well renowned supporters for Our Academy during my time and previously under Brian Grant where they have supported the additional games programme. This has allowed our players to travel across Europe and down south and play the best teams in those areas and give them real experiences. 

"To have them on our shirts to remind all our players, parents, supporters and the opposition of the support they give us is absolutely fantastic. It's been a difficult and challenging year but in the end, because of the support the Youth Board has given us, it's been a very rewarding year and one in which we've progressed a lot."

Jim Laing, chairperson of the Youth Board, said: “Seeing the Youth Board logo displayed on the sleeves of the 20/21 of Our Academy further strengthens the existing work which the board have undertaken since its formation and we look forward to continuing to develop our Academy partnership in the seasons ahead. 

“We have been much encouraged to see the progress made under the Club's new ownership, in particular to see the Academy progress to Elite status in the SFA Club Academy structure, and we are delighted to play a part in equipping the Academy teams to play against Scotland's top teams when their season soon resumes.

“The Youth Board is itself indebted to all those fans who support the fund-raising events and activities of its constituent groups namely ArabTRUST, Dundee United Business Club, ULT83 and DUDA who run the Lottery and 50/50 Draw. We very much hope that this backing continues to grow through this very difficult time and beyond to help us to help Our Academy go from strength to strength. 

“The latest and very convenient, fun way for supporters to help the Academy at this crucial time is to play the new virtual 50/50 draw held each first team game. I would really encourage the United family to buy a ticket ahead of every first team game, home or away. Not only do you support the players of tomorrow, but you might even win yourself a wee bonus.”