Scotland’s coaching team Steven Miller and Andrew Raeburn.<\/p>\n
Two former Caithness footballers are at the forefront of a Scottish bid for European glory this coming week as they prepare to lead the country\u2019s efforts at the European Powerchair Football Nations Cup in Italy.<\/p>\n
From September 19-24, the national side will compete in the prestigious competition in the north-eastern Italian town of Lignano Sabbiadoro, with Thurso-born duo Andrew Raeburn and Steven Miller playing key roles in the dugout.<\/p>\n
Both men, who grew up in the town and attended Miller Academy Primary School and Thurso High School, both played amateur football in the county during their teens before moving south.<\/p>\n
Now central figures in the Scottish coaching set-up, powerchair football has emerged as their greatest sporting calling.<\/p>\n
33-year-old Raeburn is Scotland\u2019s head of performance for the national side, while Miller, 32, is assistant coach.<\/p>\n
The pair\u2019s journey into the sport began more than a decade ago when personal trainer Raeburn formed the Edinburgh-based club Lothian Wolves in 2016, designed to cater for players with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.<\/p>\n
Raeburn, who initially led the side, later passed the reins to Miller, who went on to guide the Wolves to league and cup triumphs.<\/p>\n
The Scottish Powerchair team had to raise funds for the trip by themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter developing our team to the point of competition I soon fell in love with the sport,\u201d Raeburn explains. \u201cI stayed on as head coach and chairman, volunteering my time to the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when I recruited Steven who started as an assistant coach before taking on the head role when I left.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo\u2019s dedication to Powerchair football has gone far beyond matchdays.<\/p>\n
Both men have spent countless volunteer hours driving equipment across Europe, raising funds, delivering sports psychology sessions, and ensuring players have everything they need to perform at the highest level.<\/p>\n
Raeburn\u2019s role focuses on performance away from the pitch \u2013 from nutrition, hydration and sleep routines to recovery protocols and mental skills such as resilience and focus.<\/p>\n
Miller, meanwhile, concentrates on tactics, analysis, set-pieces and on-field play.<\/p>\n
Raeburn says having the chance to experience the development of the sport in Scotland has been \u201camazing\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most fulfilling aspect is seeing the life changing difference it makes to the players and their families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible sport and it gives our players who have severe and complex health conditions the opportunity to compete, be involved with other players as part of a community, and give them focus, goals and opportunities to represent their club and country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes an incredible difference to the players quality of life and wellbeing being involved in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing the development of the sport in Scotland and the improvement the players have made against the odds has been amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our players start young and to see them grow into capable, confident and independent young men with the help of the sport is terrific and true honour to be part of.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2022, they drove the team\u2019s specialist equipment to Geneva where Scotland finished runners-up at the EPFA Cup to qualify for the Euros.<\/p>\n
A year later, they journeyed to Madrid where Scotland lifted an invitational trophy competing against teams from Mexico and Spain.<\/p>\n
This month\u2019s tournament carries extra significance \u2013 a top-five finish would secure a place at the 2026 World Cup in Argentina.<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s opening match is against neighbours England.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the Italy trip, Raeburn says he and his cohort are prepared to put in the miles once again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteven and I are driving a van with all the chairs and equipment voluntarily across Europe to Italy. We were helped out by a local company donating a van and from fundraising of the players, but we\u2019ve had no support from sport Scotland or the SFA.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players and volunteers have fundraised for everything themselves and it\u2019s been a huge effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Above all, the coach says that his players deserve all the recognition for the commitment they make for Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the honour of my life to represent my country as a coach and to be part of this special group.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say we are extremely proud of all the players is a massive understatement as we aim to achieve a top five finish and secure a place at next year\u2019s World Cup in Argentina.\u201d<\/p>\n