SFA determined to go their own way in bid for blueprint to improve the future of our game
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Asked how a small nation like Belgium managed to produce a gifted golden generation of footballers, Vincent Kompany offered the one explanation no one had really considered. ‘Luck, pure luck,’ proffered the former Red Devils captain, now the coach of Bayern Munich.
![[Former SFA youth supremo Mark Wotte was instrumental in bringing in Performance Schools]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/19/93287957-0-image-a-2_1734549417854.jpg)
Not everyone agreed that Belgian success was down to good fortune. In August 2012, Mark Wotte, the former performance director of the SFA, established Performance Schools with one clear goal. Ripping off the blueprint developed by former Belgian FA counterpart Michel Sablon, Scotland would strive to be the new Belgium.
![[Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany were part of a golden generation of Belgian talent]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/19/93287973-0-image-a-3_1734549424773.jpg)
While the emergence of young, talented footballers such as Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and Ben Doak suggest that the performance schools held some merit, Wotte was quietly removed from the building to allow Scotland to shift focus before Steve Clarke arrived and started qualifying for tournaments again.
![[Pedro Martinez Losa paid the price for the failure of Scotland's women's team]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/19/93288015-0-image-a-5_1734549471473.jpg)
Speaking in the clubhouse of Pollok United yesterday, SFA president Mike Mulraney announced the latest plan for Scottish football. Adopting the mantra of Shoeless Joe in Field of Dreams — ‘Build it and they will come’ — the governing body plan to raise £50million over the next few years via a new ‘Pitching In’ initiative.
![[The SFA have committed an initial £5m to a project they hope will boost the grassroots game]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/19/93287167-0-image-a-4_1734549444540.jpg)
Setting the ball rolling by donating £5m, the SFA will work with public, private and charitable bodies to address a shortfall in quality facilities. SFA president Mulraney and chief executive Maxwell unveil their initiative to improve facilities. Former SFA youth supremo Mark Wotte was instrumental in bringing in Performance Schools.
