Focus is on youth football for John

Focus is on youth football for John
Falkirk FC v Dundee FC (U20s)

First year photography student John Cusick recently snapped up a volunteering position with Youth Football Scotland, capturing images of the players in action.

John (46), originally from Dundee but who now lives in Falkirk, started his HND Photography course back in August and has flourished as he attempts to make his passion his new career.

John said:

“Youth Football Scotland had contacted the college to see if anyone would be interested and I fired off and e-mail and a couple of pics and was invited in for a wee interview and they asked me to come on board. I am really enjoying it and it is great taking pics in the thick of the action and seeing the up and coming Scottish players. I can’t thank YFS enough for the opportunity.”

Former Asda Distribution Centre employee John, had always nurtured an interest in taking pictures since he was a teenager at school, but never pursued it. Now he is focussing on making a living from something he loves.

He added:

“I had been keen on photography since I was 13 year-old, but didn’t follow up on that. As a big Dundee United fan I took some photos for them at the side of the pitch in the late 90s and early 2000s and that was brilliant.

“Before I applied to come to college full –time, I had been looking for night classes as I didn’t have the confidence to really go for it and go for it full-time. But I applied and was quite chuffed when I managed to secure one of the 16 places on the course from the 81 that applied, that included two from India.

“I am really delighted and to be on the course and there are a great bunch of people in the class and the lecturers are fantastic. I have come on leaps and bounds since starting and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for photography.”

Robert Wilson, Content Manager at Youth Football Scotland (YFS), said:

“John first contacted us last month with an interest to get involved with YFS. Within the next few weeks we met with John to explain about what we do, gave him some basic advice, and got him along to his first match for us at the Falkirk Stadium. This gave John the opportunity to experience first-hand what sports photography is all about and from one of Scotland's professional stadiums.

“In our opinion, this practical experience is exactly what learning and volunteering should be all about. To have someone as keen, driven, and talented like John is of huge benefit to our organisation. After all, without volunteers our organisation would cease to exist and youth football in Scotland would fail to get the coverage it deserves. We look forward to having John involved with our organisation in the future and hope we can help him reach the level of photography he aspires to.”

Steph Toms, Acting Head of Forth Valley College’s Department of Creative Industries, said: “As the new Photography HND develops we are getting more and more enquiries from local charities and organisations asking if our students can get involved.

“Youth Football Scotland contacted me to ask if anyone would be interested in being involved and I decided to open it up to both first and second year students. John was exceptionally enthusiastic about getting involved and I’m delighted that he’s now been covering matches for them. All credit to John for giving up his own time to take the photographs for Youth Football Scotland, it will be great for his CV and his portfolio and it sounds like he’s thoroughly enjoying it into the bargain.”

More of John’s photos can be found by visiting http://www.youthfootballscotland.co.uk/