Teenage Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge is enjoying the challenge of becoming an even better goalscorer after a prolific start to the season.
Bavidge has scored 19 goals in 10 games for the young Dons in the Club Academy Scotland under-18 league, with five hat-tricks to his name.
His form in the youth side earned him a trip with the Aberdeen first-team, when they flew out for a mid-season camp in Atlanta in November.
The 16-year-old has also earned international recognition, with call-ups to the Scotland under-17 squad, and Bavidge has set his sights on simply getting better and better.
“Things have gone pretty well so far,” he told the Dons website. “It has come good recently, I think from getting my fitness up to the levels they needed to be after injury last season. I’ve been working really hard in training and in games, so it’s good to see it’s coming together. I just want to keep working even harder to get even better.
“The injury happened in March after being away with Scotland. That set me back for a good five months. It wasn’t until mid-July that I was finally starting to get back into training, but I was playing through some pain and I wasn’t fit.
The U18's defeated Queen’s Park 3-2 in the #SFAYouthCup 3rd round after coming from behind this afternoon.
🔴 Alfie Bavidge netted twice before Lewis Pirie scored the winner in a pulsating cup tie.
🔜 Match Report pic.twitter.com/AFDkd7tWzF
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) November 25, 2022
“It was the first real injury I’ve had, but I’ve done all the work and it is behind me now. It was the longest I have been out and it was not a good experience, but it helps you in a way. You have a better understanding of how your body works and how you need to look after it.”
“I love being a professional footballer. There is nothing better than going in every day and playing football. I love the feeling every day of knowing that I am getting better and better. It is difficult, don’t get me wrong. But I enjoy the challenge.
“The aim for this season is just scoring goals! Simple as that. I don’t set myself any targets. If you do that, what happens when you get there? I just want to take it game by game and see where I get to come the end of the season.”
Bavidge has been with the club since the under-10s age group and attended the Scottish FA Performance School at Hazlehead Academy, like other Dons players such as Dean Campbell, Ethan Ross and Calvin Ramsay.
He has wise counsel close to home, in the shape of his father Martin. A striker of some pedigree in his career, Martin Bavidge played for Caley Thistle, Peterhead, Forfar and Inverurie Locos and it appears his son is following in his footsteps.
“My dad’s influence has been massive. Even now he still helps me a lot,” said Bavidge. “He’s helped me get through that spell when I was not fit enough and my performances suffered. He tells me things to work on and after every game, he comes home and talks to me about things I can do better.
“Even though I may have played well, there’s still things that I could work on. He keeps my feet on the ground. He definitely gives me praise when I deserve it or maybe need it for my confidence. But when I’ve played poorly, he is not afraid to tell me!
“I prefer that, because if I played poorly and he’s telling me, ‘Oh, it’s fine. You have done well’ you are not going to get anywhere or get better, you are not going to learn. Any criticism is very structured and tells me what areas I need to work on.
“I think I have inherited something from them when it comes to the natural instinct that you need as a striker. Throughout my experience within the youth academy, I have always found a way to score goals. Thankfully that comes naturally to me.”
Who is Alfie Bavidge? The 16-year-old Aberdeen striker with great potential