YOUTH footballers in Kilwinning will soon be provided with another opportunity to move up the youth ranks into a senior team.

The Kilwinning Community Football Academy (KFA) has announced that amateur side Irvine AFC will become part of the Academy's set-up.

From the 2023/24 season, the Ayrshire Amateur Premier League side will be known as KFA Amateurs.

The football academy say they are delighted by the move, which now allows them to provide opportunities for both male and female players from their 'mini kickers' programme (those aged under five) all the way through to adult male and female teams.

The academy already boasts a senior female side who compete in the Biffa SWFL South league.

Confirming the move in a social media post on Thursday, a KFA spokesperson said: "This has always been the dream and the vision of the Academy to provide opportunities for all no matter age/ability and with the addition of the KFA Amateurs we have now fulfilled this dream.

"Irvine AFC has currently welcomed some of our 2006 players into their squad, and this will only be the start of things to come, we envisage that we will continue to provide opportunities for our youth players to transition into the adult game.

"We have some of the best facilities in the west of Scotland, and arguably the best playing surface in Ayrshire, and the addition of the adult male team will only bring more positivity around the club and we cannot wait to get started on this new project."

All KFA sides play at Almswall Park in Kilwinning - which has been developed to become one of North Ayrshire's best astroturf facilities.

The statement continued: "Keith [Graham, founder and former boss of Irvine AFC] and his team have been the model club on and off the pitch and we are proud to now work together under the same name."

Keith said: “When I formed the club in 2011 my aim was to create a club that in the future would complete the pathway from youth to adult football.

"With the support of Mick [Baird, KFA chair] and the committee at KFA, I am delighted to say that today the dream is now a reality.

"Many amateur clubs come and go over the years and we have certainly not been without our troubles in the past but by officially becoming part of KFA and completing the pathway from youth to seniors, we have secured our future for many years to come.

"A couple of years back, we found ourselves approaching the new season with no place to call home - and when KFA reached out with an opportunity to join the project at Academy Park, it was a no brainer for us to come on board and make our home at one of the best facilities in the west of Scotland.”

Mick Baird commented: “Since walking onto a pitch with my nine-year-old daughter 11 years ago as a volunteer coach, I could never have imagined we would be here and affording over 300 players the opportunity to play the game they love.

"Having both pathways from the minis to adult football has always been a vision and a passion - and now that we have completed both it’s really positive for the Academy and Kilwinning.

"Keith and his team have been organised, professional and dedicated since the first day we met when they were looking for a place to call home.

"It was a partnership that we were keen to establish and the relationship has flourished ever since.

"They have been part of our journey through asset transfer, pitch relay and various other upgrades at the Academy, they share our vision and passion so we are delighted that they have taken the step to join the Academy and be called KFA Amateurs.”