Newbattle High School are today into their fourth week of the Heart of Midlothian Education and Community Trust Xtra Time programme - and have enjoyed the expertise of former Hearts captain Gary Locke!

Xtra Time is a motivational and a volunteer development driven programme targeted at 4th and 5th year Christmas school leavers. The group of 14 students are currently working their way through the SFA's Early Touches and Coaching Young Footballers Certificates under the guidance of SFA staff coach Chris Smith.

The group of Xtra Time students have been boosted by the attendance of Scottish Cup winner Gary Locke on these coach education courses. Since retiring from playing, Gary has been hard at work attending courses in order to become qualified to coach with children and youths.

Gary commented, "This is the third week I have spent coaching with the students from Newbattle and it is absolutely fantastic to see young people enthused about coaching at such an early age.

"Hopefully the Xtra Time programme will assist these guys in becoming actively involved in coaching in their community and, you never know, they might just have a hand in helping Hearts stars of the future."

Former Newbattle teacher John Ramsay, now working with Midlothian Council, and who is leading the group said, "It is marvellous that Gary has joined the Newbattle students on these courses.

"He has been first class with the group and it is clear that his enthusiasm and drive for the game is rubbing off in a positive way on the group."

For more information on the Xtra Time programme click here

Gary Locke with the Newbattle students, SFA staff coach Chris Smith (far right) and group leader Ian Gillespie (far left).