CHILDREN from St George's and St James lined up at Holker for a special match utilising the latest footballing technology.

The youngsters took advantage of new GPS training equipment – purchased for Barrow AFC thanks to half-funding from the Bluebirds Trust.

The supporters' group answered a call from new AFC manager Ian Evatt to purchase the vital equipment – which will also be used by local schools to track player performance in their maths lessons.

As part of the agreement, Barrow AFC in the Community will be able to use up-to-date information on first-team player performances, taking on the role of junior analysts.

The Trust paid the first half of the GPS equipment cost, with Barrow AFC agreeing to meet the second.

St George's and St James enjoyed the full Holker Street experience, meeting Evatt, getting changed in the players’ changing rooms before emerging from the tunnel to take part in a friendly match, refereed by Bluebirds ace Nathan Waterson, who was hooked up to the new equipment.

Evatt also passed on some tips to the football-crazy Year 5 children.

“The data will be fantastic for us to take into schools and look to link it to numeracy,” said AFC Community head Craig Rutherford.

“We want schools to feel part of the club and hopefully different schools can be in charge of certain parts of analyses.

“The data from the vests, shots to shots on/off target, discipline points with yellow and red cards can be used by the pupils to look for patterns, find averages, plot graphs, and we even find something helpful for the management team.

“This will work nicely alongside the literacy project we will be rolling out next term. Our main goal is to have schools feeling a part of the Barrow AFC family, building positive relationships with the management and playing staff and hopefully enjoying a Saturday afternoon supporting the players.”

Evatt added his thanks for the purchase of the equipment, and said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to the Bluebirds Trust for helping me supply the club with the GPS units – they are a vital part of modern day football and help my staff monitor every move on the pitch.”

Bluebirds Trust chairman Steve Herbert said, “It’s a modern, up to date way of connecting local children with the club in a meaningful sense through their learning.

“The children have also really enjoyed Barrow AFC’s hospitality – hopefully we will see them on or off the pitch here in the future.

“Ian is really keen for the club to connect with the community, which we fully support.”