24-07-2025
Former Ayr United women's star on her humbling coaching mission to Africa
Clare Docherty was part of the recent Scottish Football For Rwanda trip featuring coaches and young Scots players.
A former Ayr United women's football star has told of her humbling experience coaching kids in Africa.
Clare Docherty jetted thousands of miles to take part in an inspiring project teaching the beautiful game.
Docherty, 36, joined fellow Scots coaches and youth footballers on the latest Scottish Football For Rwanda mission to pass on skills to youngsters.
Now she's spoken of her dream to return - and establish an Ayr United Academy which can inspire players of the future.
Clare, the head of United's women's and girls' setup, hung up her own playing boots at the end of last season before making the trip of a lifetime.
She told the Ayrshire Post:"It was an incredible experience. I didn't really know what to expect as it's such different way of life out there.
"When it comes to basic resources like school uniforms or shoes for children, it's a real challenge. They are so grateful for the things we take for granted in Scotland.
"We went into really rural areas to hand out kit and coach the kids. Their excitement and reaction was so humbling.
"The children were showing me how they make footballs with banana leaves and use those for their games. It just makes you appreciate what we have here."
Clare joined her fellow coaches on the Scots project which visits Rwanda twice a year, and hails its aim to "support development of grassroots youth football in one of the world's most deserving nations."
Their next trip is in October, and Clare is raring to go back and spread the word of Ayr United even more.
She explained: "A group of 16 and 17-year-old kids from Scotland came with us on the recent trip for the very first time.
"They've said they'll always look to do that in future because of the success this year.
"I'm looking to go back on the next trip and would love to take some kids from the Ayr United Academy to help establish our own presence in Rwanda."
Clare added: "It was hard in a sense to see the way some of the kids out there were living, but the happiness they got from us being there was very uplifting.
"I struggled when I came back because Scottish people are always in a rush, stressed or they're angry.
"Out there, they literally have nothing and are so appreciative of everything they get. It's an eye-opener.
"We would spend hours with the kids just having fun, delivering the coaching sessions and giving them a chance to play football. That's what it's all about."
