Over £1.1M invested into Scottish Football in 2020 - THE MAGAZINE OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP & TRUST - Yuck ...
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP & TRUST December 2020
Over £1.1M
invested
into Scottish
Football in
2020
Working in partnership with:
1
£915,619
Raised this year
for Scottish
Football through
Over £1.1M
A word from
Charitable Giving
invested into
the Chairman Scottish Football
We charge towards Christmas after a year no one to have him at the helm in 2000-1, their most traumatic
£676,920
Invested in
Covid-19
in 2020
Emergency
could have envisaged, even at the end of a very good
Christmas lunch. The new normal has been difficult for
season. He was a calm, steadying influence, trusted
Support £188,153
by all, combining financial savvy with a passion for the Invested into
all and tragic for some. game and the club. He brought these qualities and Community
If you pull the duvet cover over your head, Covid wins. much more to the Scottish Football Partnership. Our Clubs and £191,274
condolences go out to his family. Grassroots Invested into
I am delighted to say we have never stopped. It is
testimony to the endeavour of Stuart and Laura and my 44 SWF Premiership
Volunteers Senior Club £56,564
Andrew Charters replaced Bill on the board coming Infrastructure Invested in Community
co-directors that the following 16 pages demonstrate and Championship
from his job as CFO with the Scottish FA. He was with projects projects using Sport
we adapted and found new ways to work. Clubs provided for Change and
us just under a year and was really getting in to what we Sustainability promoting Diversity
We remain indebted to the team of suppliers, advisors do when a transfer cropped up and he had to demit Grants totaling 11 Community and Inclusion in
and contractors who help us deliver what we do in a office. We wish him well in his new job. £275,000 clubs supported Disadvantaged
Communities
safe and productive manner. with Facility Grants
No one could have written the script for the last nine 25 Scottish FA
The year has witnessed a significant increase in months. We all live different lives now and do not £162,500 Member Clubs
charitable donations from a wide range of sources. know one day to the next what the new normal will be. of Sustainability 38 Community Supported with
Please be assured we get the money out there as Funding Invested clubs provided with Facility Grants 20 Community
Regardless, I hope this finds you and your family well
directly into Scottish Development Grants Club led GoFitba
quickly as we can and without our help Scotland would and safe.
be baking more couch potatoes. Women’s Football Projects allocated
10 Aspiring Funding
Have a peaceful and happy Christmas holiday and 9 Community
It is with great sadness we have to report the passing of Scottish FA Member
please remember we remain eager to help in 2021. £219,420 clubs provided with Clubs Supported
our recently retired director Bill Littlejohn. We still miss Defibrillators
Invested directly with Facility Grants 12 Community
him, he was the provider of sage advice and kept the JAMES CLYDESDALE,
into Scottish Club led GoFitba
chairman’s worst excesses in check. Having spent more Chairman Youth FA reducing Holiday projects
than 20 years on the board at Tannadice he probably 10 Community 8 East of Scotland
participation cost for delivered in
found us easy to manage. Dundee United were lucky clubs provided with League Clubs
4,140 teams partnership with
IT Sustainability Supported with The Scottish FA
Grants new Defibrillators and Cashback for
18 Highland Communities
Football League
Thank you to all our Partners and the organisations who have supported our work in 2020 1,000 SYFA
Clubs provided with
Coaches set to be
Covid-19 mitigation
supported through
support £10,000
Scottish FA Coach Coming soon in 2021
Education Following the launch of our
62 Scottish Junior #GiveforGrassroots appeal we will be
FA Clubs provided 1,000 SYFA rolling out a new funding strand for
with Covid-19 Coaches set to be community clubs to support young players
mitigation support supported through suffering through financial hardship so
£10,000 Sports First Aid they can continue to participate
Training
2 3
#SWFSustainability
£437,500
Invested
Focus of James Anderson Fund £275,000
Directly Invested
into Clubs
Objective – 1 Objective -2 Objective – 3
£162,500
Ensuring Scottish Support SWF to offset Optimise the ability Directly Invested
Women’s Premier League some of the short-term of girls’ and women’s into SWF
Covid-19 Support for 1 and 2 Clubs are the main
beneficiaries so they can
revenue losses, which
include broadcast/
football to navigate the
COVID-19 pandemic
Key Stats
Scottish Women’s Football
retain professional staff, commercial income and without significant
players and key club gate receipts, and retain setback to the progress
infrastructure during a lean staff that could made in recent years. 42 of the 44 clubs
an extended period of continue to support and supported indicated
Scottish Women’s Football (SWF), the members’ organisation Outcome
that the Covid -19
inactivity. deliver a professional
for women and girls’ football, has taken the sport to a new service to member clubs. £62,500 was directly Pandemic had
Outcome
level in recent years. Qualification for the first time to the invested into SWF so that negatively impacted
Outcome
Women’s World Cup in 2019 was a sign of the SWF’s successful £112,500 was affiliation fees for around them
split evenly between £75,000 was directly 200 teams could be
long-term strategy and a catalyst for further development. reduced by 75% for
8 SWPL 1 clubs with invested into SWF. 26 of the 44 clubs
The investment in players, coaches and infrastructure is each club receiving the new season, ensuring supported indicated
reflected in the increasingly professional ‘performance’ £14,062.50 clubs can continue that they would not
pyramid structure with the SWPL 1 and 2, the top two leagues £62,500 was split
to participate and the have survived through
positive momentum
now bolstered by the introduction of a two-tier regional evenly between 10 SWPL 2 the Covid-19 Pandemic
in girls’ and women’s
Championship of 26 clubs. clubs with each receiving
football continues.
without the support
£6,250 they received
Impact of Covid-19 on SWF COVID-19 Intervention and Focus of ‘Anonymous Fund’
and Member Clubs – March Support Packages Ensuring SWF Championship clubs are the
2020 Scottish Women’s Football has been main beneficiaries of the fund.
The lockdown in March 2020 could not have collaborating with The Scottish Football With the Championship being a key
come at a worse time for Scottish Women’s Partnership Trust (SFP Trust) in recent years component of the new performance
Football as it coincided with the start of their to deliver positive outcomes for the girls’ and pyramid and about to embark on its
inaugural season of the new set-up. As SWF’s women’s game. inaugural season it was critical that the
Premiership and Championship seasons were investments and commitment that all
Together in June 2020 they approached
put on hold, this had an adverse impact on 26 clubs had made in relation to
the philanthropist James Anderson, and a meeting enhanced criteria for qualified “Football for girls and women
revenues (commercial, gate receipts etc.) at
both club and league level. There was also second ‘anonymous’ donor a month later, coaching staff, improved match venues in Scotland continues to make
the fear with no matches being played that it to discuss the challenges COVID-19 posed and player medical and physio support incredible progress across
could lead to an increasing invisibility just as for SWF and the 44 Premiership and was not in vain. every level and this has really
the sport was soaring to a new level on the Championship Clubs. Both donors were inspired me to support SWF
back of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. keen to help. Sustainability funds were set up through this partnership
which could attract Gift-Aid managed by the Intervention approach with The SFP Trust.
Key developments, such as the league’s
SFP Trust. The focus was to buy time so the Football is at the heart of
investment in a staff team to deliver a £100,000 was split evenly between
women’s game could survive the COVID crisis communities across Scotland
professional product, were now at risk. all 26 Championship Clubs with each
until it was safe for football to return. James and the women’s game is a key
The clubs’ investment in the infrastructure, club receiving a sustainability grant of
Anderson donated £250,000 while part of this.”
staff and facilities of their women’s sections £3,846.15.
was also threatened. COVID-19 was a major the anonymous donor provided a further A further £25,000 was provided – James Anderson
setback at a pivotal time in SWF’s history as it £100,000. Through the processing of directly to SWF for future events and the
was establishing an increasingly professional Gift-aid by the SFP Trust the biggest ever marketing of senior cup competitions
model with positive commercial forecasts investment into SWF was created, a fund total to encourage greater attendances and
and visibility. However, help was at hand. of £437,500. engagement with local communities.
4 5
#SCOTTISHYOUTHFA
#COVIDSUPPORT
£319,420
Invested
James Anderson Supporting
Covid-19 Support for 4,140 Teams
62,293 Players
Scottish Youth Football 2,000 Volunteers
Target of Funding The Scottish Youth FA (SYFA) is the national governing body for A word of thanks from the clubs…
£219,420 was
grassroots football across Scotland. With 4,140 registered teams “All officials, coaches, volunteers, into equipment for the kids
invested directly into and 62,293 players, it is the biggest organisation affiliated to the parents and players associated and will contribute to making
with Troon Thistle YFC wish sure they continue to enjoy
the SYFA to cover Scottish FA. The SYFA cover age-groups up to and including Under- to express our grateful thanks playing football. Our teams, Covid-19 Support for
the affiliation fees of 21s with their clubs and leagues run by volunteers. Their mission to Mr James Anderson for his parents, coaches, volunteers SJFA + SHFL
1,865 teams playing very generous donation to and committee send a hearty
is to increase the number of children and young people playing Our final piece of Covid-19
11 v 11 format of the youth football which allows for thank you.
game and 2,275 organised, quality football. a saving to the club of our SYFA related support for Scottish
“Mr James Anderson Football this year was an
teams playing the fees thereby allowing those
To achieve this the SYFA’s organisational demonstrated that he really investment of £20,000
small-sided version Impact of COVID-19 savings to be used directly for
understands how important
objectives include removing barriers to the benefit of the players during in The Scottish Junior FA
of the game. Every play, advocating respect and inclusivity and Scottish Youth FA operational costs are our game is to the Scottish (62 clubs) and The Scottish
the current pandemic.
team will benefit from creating a safe, fun environment for players in mainly covered by membership fees from psyche. Thank you, Mr Highland Football League (18
a reduced cost to Scotland. Over the past two years, the SYFA affiliated members. But the pandemic has hit “I cannot express enough just Anderson, from all at Dunipace clubs) to assist with mitigation measures for the
grassroots clubs, threatening the long-term how much your donation to the F.C. safe return of football.
participate over the has led the way by investing in their Child
Wellbeing and Protection provisions. The sustainability of both individual teams and SYFA has helped teams in our
next 12 months. “On behalf of Blantyre Celtic Raymond Cardno, the SHFL President, said:
benefit to the children and young people the organisation itself. While clubs may have club” - Polbeth United CFC
YFC, I would like to say thanks “This is great news for the Highland League
£50,000 set up in a under their jurisdiction is immeasurable. survived in the short term, there was concern “Buckie Thistle Football from all the kids and coaches and gives clubs important support at a time
However, implementing these measures has over the increased costs facing them when Development and our from our club. The kindness
Sports First Aid strand when there is much work to do to get ready for
placed increased financial pressure on the football returned. These included cleaning, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & you have shown here is
that will support matches starting again. We are hugely grateful
SYFA. increased facility hire costs, additional 2014 teams would like to remarkable at a time where
training for 1,000 to the Scottish Football Partnership which has
equipment including PPE, hand sanitisers, thank Mr Anderson for his everyone within the grassroots again demonstrated its support for all levels of
SYFA Coach volunteers enhanced medical kits and football specific donation which will cover community needs it. the game”
starting in 2021. items. The SYFA’s biggest fear was it could club registration fees. During
“Craigmark Youth Club would Felix McKenna, SJFA President, added:
lead to a drop-off in the number of children a year where our registration
like to thank Mr. Anderson for
£50,000 and young people playing football in numbers are down and no “Given the difficult times we are all currently
his amazingly kind gesture. experiencing, the Scottish Junior FA is delighted
which includes an Scotland. fundraising has been done, this
What a tough year we have with the financial support awarded by the
investment from gesture is a big help to a club
all had and I am sure I speak Scottish Football Partnership to help put in place
SFP Trust Funds of from a small town like ours.
Support from James Anderson Thank you very much.
on behalf of everyone when I Covid-19 mitigation measures. The funding
£6,920 set up in say this.... our kids have had will be used for the supply of automated hand
a Coach Education The Scottish Youth FA contacted the “On behalf of Riverside FC, our it rough in regard to how sanitisers, etc. which will help make our facilities
Scottish Football Partnership Trust in July wee community football club the pandemic has affected
strand that will safer for players, officials and hopefully, not
2020 to facilitate discussions and possible in Stirling, thank you sincerely the game and training. It will
support 1,000 SYFA investment from James Anderson. Positive
before too long, spectators. The support of
for the incredibly generous gift have hit a lot of clubs hard the Scottish Football Partnership in such an
Coach Volunteers to dialogue followed with Mr. Anderson keen to of paying our SYFA fees for this financially, so this kind gesture important way is greatly welcomed. They
engage on Scottish support the youth level of the game with a coming year. This has allowed has restored my faith in continue their support of football at a time when
FA approved training subsequent figure of £312,500, including our teams to put funds back humanity a little bit more. it is most needed at all levels of the game”.
starting in 2021. Gift-Aid, for SYFA teams and their volunteers.
6 7
The Scottish Football Partnership holds a
unique position in Scotland – we are the
only funder with a specific strand set up to
£191,274 assist Scottish FA Member Clubs meet the
Invested into requirements of National Club Licensing.
Senior Club
Infrastructure
Supporting Senior Club projects
Infrastructure Projects
Facility Awards are granted by The Scottish Football Partnership to Clubs supported in 2020
Senior clubs for infrastructure improvements at their stadia to help
meet the requirements of Scottish FA Club Licensing and ground safety
A word of thanks from
criteria. Aspiring Scottish FA Member clubs are also eligible for funding
the clubs…
for projects via our General Funding strand which can assist these clubs
in their quest to become full Members of the Scottish F.A. This year 35 “We are extremely thankful to
the Football Partnership for
clubs received infrastructure support for a range of projects including
the assistance we have been
upgrades to Floodlight Systems, Ground Entry Systems, provided with over the years in
Seated Stands, CCTV Systems, Covered Spectator getting ground infrastructure
Areas, Electrical Safety Compliance, Accessible projects from the planning stage
Facilities, Spectator Toilets, Match Control Rooms, to completion. Iain Dougan,
Chairman, Stranraer F.C.
Specialist Pitch Drainage Systems and Player/ Match
“On behalf of Stenhousemuir
Official Changing Rooms. Football Club I wish to place on
record our deep gratitude to The
Funding in Focus at Scottish Football Partnership for
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
supporting our seat replacement
project in the Norway Stand. It
was a huge undertaking and
Board of DAFC decided that work should a very expensive project but a
be done to replace broken floodlight vitally important one as we look
lamps and clean the others. Remedial to modernise the club and ground.
work on the East End Park floodlights Without the support from the
had not been carried out for several Football Partnership, it simply
years. The project involved the purchase would not have been possible for
of special bulbs and assistance from the project to take place. These
electrical experts able to operate at height. types of grants are a lifeline to
With the welcome support of The Scottish clubs”. Jamie Swinney, Chief
Dunfermline Athletic F.C. recently
Football Partnership, the club bought and Executive, Stenhousemuir F.C.
upgraded their floodlights at East End
installed over 50 new floodlight bulbs and
Park. The ‘Key Infrastructure’ project
cleaned and repaired the others – a total
represented a facility investment value of
of 128 bulb units across the four pylons. From top: Upgraded Seating at
£37,000, with £12,500 awarded
The work was carried out in the first Ochilview Park, Clubhouse Upgrade
to the club by the SFP in grant funding.
week of October and the floodlights were at Newton Stewart F.C, CCTV Upgrade
In addition, 8 East of Scotland League clubs
Pars Chairman Ross McArthur said: used successfully during the club’s match at Raith Rovers F.C, New Lights
received funding for Defibrillators
“Following a floodlight test, as part of (broadcast live on Premier Sports) against and Scottish FA Membership at
DAFC’s Scottish FA Club Licence audit, the Falkirk F.C on 9th October.” Haddington Athletic F.C.
8 9
#SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS
Case Study #INCREASING REVENUE
Deveronvale C.F.C COMMUNICATION
#IMPROVING
#ENHANCING
Number of Teams 17 Number of Players 338 GOVERNANCE
Projects
Supported by Functional Impact of
Club Management System
Grassroots Club Support FINANCE Financial processes have
been simplified with a reduction of
PRODUCTIVITY Productivity has
increased as the system is exciting, and
around 12 hours per month on our it engages with everyone at our club in a
treasurers’ time. The club’s financial more dynamic and less time-consuming
information is now available 24/7 and way which is particularly important both
at the touch of a button without the from a consumer and an administrative
need to sift through bank statements. perspective.
Additionally, the process for stopping COMMUNICATION The
2020 Defibrillator and then restarting monthly fee
collection through the Covid-19 period
communication functionality is excellent
and whether it is a quick message
Project – £11,808 was made straightforward thanks to
Club IT &
or a club news story with a click of a
MCH.
Investment Fund button the communications goes out
#Safeguarding Clubs #SaferSport
Sustainability REVENUE Club Revenue had
Increased by 30% before Covid-19
to everyone at the club. The system
can also be used and tailored for
#Safeguarding Communities Initiative – with the system providing real-time communication to individual age groups
£10,000
information on who has paid and who or coaches or parents. Organising player
Club Development Following the successful pilot scheme in 2019 where had not paid monthly fees. availability for matches and training
Grant Scheme
12 Community clubs were provided with a lifesaving
Defibrillator, a further 9 clubs have been supported so
Investment DATA The platform is excellent for has been simplified, too, as invites are
sent, and notifications received on
Fund
storing and sharing club documents
attendances.
- £24,000 202
0
far this year, with another 3 to be supported shortly.
This type of investment is absolutely vital with more and #Supporting Volunteers
which can be both open to all our
members as well as being restricted DIGITAL CAPABILITY This is very
Investment Fund more clubs becoming community facility providers – the
#Increasing Revenue
where applicable. good in terms of our website, sharing
posting on social media and adding
initiative complements our investment in Sports First Aid COMPLIANCE Registration with
#Improving Communication fixtures, score lines, events, fundraising,
Direct investment in Grassroots clubs continued in 2020 through our training for club coaches through our partnership with the club has been simplified as has
#Enhancing Governance our ability to provide new and existing news stories to a platform which
strategic delivery partnership with The Scottish FA’s Regional Football The Hampden Sports Clinic.
members with our Code of conduct interacts with our club members and our
Development staff. The targeted approach of our Club Development At the start of 2020 we introduced a Club community.
framework has so far seen 38 of the planned 48 Quality Mark This year’s Stats … and the clubs constitution. Wellbeing
IT and Sustainability funding strand for 20
Guidance and now Covid-19 guidance WEBSITE
accredited clubs receiving grants of £500 and an overall investment Safeguarding Quality-Mark accredited community clubs
has been easier to prepare and share www.deveronvalecfc.co.uk – All
of £19,000 in clubs to enhance inclusive community-based to use technology to grow and develop.
3,098 Club Members with players and parents who were able communication as above links to the
participation and support their volunteers.
8,100 Weekly Community Users Grants of £500 have been made to to simply tick a box to confirm they have website too.
10 community clubs so far to part-fund received, read and understood these
the start-up costs of web-based club guidelines. This function has saved the
21 new teams created (13 40 club coaches were club time and money as in the past this
management systems to help clubs with PRODUCT EVALUATION
boys) and (8 girls) with supported through Covid process would have involved having to
430 new players brought training day-to-day administration. All the clubs 1=poor 5=excellent
have forms printed, signed and then
into the game have opted for a new platform designed
1 club invested in para collected. System Design 5
in Scotland called MY CLUB HUB and early
1,466 young players training for coaches and HUMAN RESOURCES The
feedback has been very positive. It’s made a Value for money 5
benefiting from enhanced started an Autism friendly system has eliminated the time required
training kit and equipment participation group real difference in administration, efficiency Ease of use 5
to respond to questions and information
and information-sharing among clubs,
103 club volunteers 1 club invested in requests from the committee and Advocacy from within club 5
especially due to the challenges posed by coaches as documentation is accessible
supported through coach education for coaches on
the Covid lockdown, the return to football instantly at the touch of a button. Service Experience 5
education Mental Health awareness
and the adoption of protocols at club level. Historically this type of information, 5
and Disability Inclusion Level of club impact
4 clubs invested in new which could include medical and
small-sided goalposts 1 club developed a contact details, would have been stored
supporting activity for family participation group at one of our club officials houses
448 players for children lacking in WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
making it more time consuming to
confidence and those with access which is not a good situation in “We would recommend to any club”
disabilities the case of an emergency. Kevin Stewart, Deveronvale CFC
10 11
Thanks to our partnership with the Scottish
FA, sportscotland, Scottish Women’s Football
(SWF), and Hey Girls, 300 girls’ and women’s
Grassroots Club teams across Scotland will be provided with
110,000 free sanitary products during
Infrastructure Projects 2020/21 helping to change the landscape of
period dignity within Scotland.
Wasp Community New Clubhouse
Club – Modular
Changing Rooms
Wasp Community club are the latest grassroots organisation
to receive a set of our ever-popular modular changing rooms.
In March 2020, the club approached The Scottish Football
Partnership for support with infrastructure for their ever-
increasing membership. The Wasps, who work closely with
Pitch Upgrades
Alloa Athletic F.C., are based at the Indodrill Stadium and
currently work with around 300 children ranging in age
from 4-16. This initiative was all about supporting the growth in
participation at the club within a community setting. The SFP
Board was keen to back the project with an investment of over
£30,000 in Community Club infrastructure.
“In what has been an extremely difficult few months for the Training Floodlights
whole of football, AAFC are extremely grateful for the help
given by the Scottish Football Partnership to the Wasps in
providing additional changing facilities in the ground. Not
only has this allowed the Club to meet the varied demands
of Covid-19 security but it has also left a legacy which can be
utilised by the Club in the years to come. Our Wasp Community
Club has been able to get kids enjoying their football again, and
whilst we’re not yet quite back to a full schedule, it has been New Goalposts
obvious from the reaction of both players and parents that any
return to play has been extremely welcome. It is precisely in
this kind of situation that assistance from the SFP can prove to
be critical in getting things done and we very much appreciate
their help”. Mike Mulraney, Chairman, Alloa Athletic F.C.
Delivering in 2021 Our work this year assisting Grassroots In September we were approached by an anonymous donor
football and its volunteer club leaders and who was keen to support the Development of the Girls’ and
“10 years of working with various organisations has coaches continued with a further 365 Women’s Programme and Academy Infrastructure at Celtic F.C.
helped us to be awarded much needed changing supported in specialised Sports First Aid
This led to a subsequent donation and an investment of
facilities from the SFP to assist us in our continued Training delivered by our partners at The
£29,750 being made to the club.
work in our local community. We are delighted” Hampden Sports Clinic.
#Growing the Game
Jim Simonetti, Jimmy Johnstone Charitable Trust #Supporting Volunteers
12 13
Special Feature
GET FIT,
#INCLUSIVE GET HEALTHY...
#COMMUNITY FOOTBALL
#TACKLING FOOD INEQUALITY HAVE FUN
#SUPPORTING CHILDREN
®
Left Back in My Room: #GoFitba Project
A Grassroots Footballer – Changing Lives
in Lockdown
By Tommy Pia Through Sport
It’s roughly two months since I kicked a football, but it feels somebody’s legs, outjumping a defender so you’re first to a GoFitba Key Stats
like much longer. I’d been playing three times a week: back-to- header: the list is endless. Football combines physicality, skill for 2020
back sessions at the university sports complex on Tuesdays and mental acuity unlike any other sport and the rush of
and Wednesdays and a game of 5s at Glasgow Soccer World
on Thursdays. My flatmate and I had also begun to investigate
endorphins after “putting in a shift” is powerful enough to
numb any number of kicks you might’ve taken during the game, 448
joining a Saturday league team, which may seem excessive
considering how much I was already playing, but football had
at least until the following morning. It teaches you how to be a
team player, but also rewards individual moments of brilliance Participants
become an essential lifeline during lockdown. Haring after a and, while the journey home might be a bit awkward if you gave
ball for an hour or so, a few days a week, was a particularly
effective way to relieve the “cabin fever” that quickly set in a
the driver’s team a gubbing, it unites people, creating bonds of
friendship and shared stories that will last a lifetime. Finally, it
The GoFitba project looked forward to 2020
as its biggest year so far harnessing the
had a holiday spin-off of the project planned
at 12 clubs. This new version of the project
2,369
couple of weeks after term started; it was also one of the few is one of the few sporting activities that I know will knock me positive power of football to engage with would see children attend a 10-session period Individual
opportunities I got to meet and socialise with other students, out in the evenings, ensuring I get to bed early and wake up
since all my lectures and tutorials have been online this term feeling refreshed, which is particularly important nowadays
socially disadvantaged children in an inclusive over the summer holidays where they would Hours of
community setting. GoFitba has a holistic receive breakfast and lunch tackling holiday
and the regular student haunts – the union, cafes, bars and
clubs – have all been closed.
since lockdown has had a negative impact upon many people’s
sleeping patterns. approach taking the young participants on hunger which became a nationwide issue Activity
a journey of fun football activity improving later in the year thanks to Marcus Rashford.
When it looked as if a stricter lockdown was going to be
reintroduced around mid-October, my team-mates and I were
For all those reasons, I’m looking forward to football’s eventual
return. I know it’ll make life that little bit easier to endure, even
their motor skills, fitness levels, confidence
and ability to work as a team. The second
Unfortunately, just as projects were about 4,199
resigned to the loss, but we didn’t fully appreciate just how
much we’d miss a kick-about until a few weeks had passed.
if we still can’t properly socialise or see our family, since, while
watching the pros is entertaining, I think the most significant
component of the project provides a bespoke
to start in March, the country went into
lockdown and our GoFitba activities had to
Healthy
I was finding it much harder to concentrate on my studies impact football can have on the lives of everyday fans, is in
and fun health education syllabus for the
be put on pause. Football and community Meals
children to learn about the benefits of a
and motivate myself through a week without the promise of
football to look forward to, and in our group chats most of
the playing of it. It’s one of the cheapest, most accessible
sports there is – all you need is a local park, a ball and some healthy and balanced diet. To finish off each
clubs however have really demonstrated Served
how much good they can do in their
the lads agreed that they were feeling a lot lonelier without jumpers for goalposts – and around this time of year, more or session healthy, nutritious food is provided
communities, particularly in a time of crisis.
the regular social interaction, particularly those who lived less a century ago, it even brought British and German troops for each participant to address the issue of One of our biggest
To that end, 5 of our original partner clubs
alone, and were struggling to keep fit, since solo runs through together for a brief moment of unity in the trenches. Obviously, food inequality facing many of these children. partners The UEFA
were able to use innovative and COVID-safe
a pitch black Kelvingrove Park couldn’t compare to the 3G and ensuring the r-number is low and the pandemic is under Foundation for
So back to our best laid plans for the year! ways to resume activity in September with
floodlights out at the Garscube San Siro. control must be the priority, but with the right safety measures Children chose to
in place – one-way access to pitches, regularly cleaning balls With the support of our incredible funders 3 of the clubs opting to support children
I’ve been forced to fall back on a weekly tennis game in the and the community clubs who really drive in their communities over holiday periods. highlight the impact
and goalposts, ensuring players use hand sanitiser before and
meantime, but in some ways, this has just made me miss the project forward we had 20 of our The GoFitba holiday sessions that were of the GoFitba
after matches – football can provide young people with the
football more: a tearing sprint down the line culminating traditional 12-week GoFitba projects all set to planned through our new Scottish FA Project for children in
opportunity to socialise safely, keep fit and - most importantly -
in a ball whipped into the box, threading a pass through Scotland
have fun. be delivered throughout the year across all and Cashback partnership for
parts of Scotland. In between, thanks to an ® July and August were also
GoFitba: Scotland’s
exciting new partnership with the Scottish able to be delivered in the
community clubs
Our Give For Grassroots Appeal is backed by Scotland FA and Cashback for Communities we also October school holidays.
tackling child poverty
Captain Andy Robertson and in 2021 we will be thanks to the UEFA
supporting kids facing financial hardship so that they GoFitba will be back in 2021 when our remaining planned projects will be delivered….. Foundation | Inside
can continue to participate. and there will be some new ones too!! Special thanks to all our funding partners. UEFA | UEFA.com
It’s not too late to donate
virginmoneygiving.com/fund/GiveforGrassroots
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Shared Access and
The Scottish Football Partnership
Trust Map Out the Future of
Scotland’s Connectivity Path
Success of Scottish football club investment scheme excited to be part of something that is
going to bring real benefits to clubs and
now has the potential to aid the development of wireless communities in Scotland as we move
connectivity in Scotland. into 2021.
The Scottish Football Partnership Trust on-site facilities such as floodlighting, Sam Jackman, Chief Development
continues to innovate and look for pitches, changing rooms, equipment or Officer at Shared Access, said: “Our
opportunities to bring much needed even just receive a capital sum. In return strategy has always been focused on
finance and support into Scottish for the investment, Shared Access investing in grassroots sports. This year
Football. One such opportunity arose has highlighted this fact more than any
would install their technology onto
in September 2020 when the SFP Trust year previously with the world of sport
the club’s existing structures such as
formed a partnership with Shared devastated by the continued impact of
floodlights, stands or pavilions.
Access, the wireless operator. Covid-19 measures and restrictions. Whilst
With so many sites now registered to the the scheme primarily aims to invest in
The innovative scheme offers clubs at scheme, the infrastructure opportunity Scottish sports clubs, it also broadens
all levels, who register their location, in Scotland has increased even further. the infrastructure options available to
the chance to upgrade their facilities by Many locations are in rural areas, run in MNOs as the development of wireless
allowing the wireless operator to install partnership with the local authorities, connectivity gathers pace in Scotland.”
their technology on their premises in
so the potential for infrastructure
return for capital investment.
investment in these areas has greatly
So far more than 250 clubs have increased due to the SFP Trust’s We are pleased to announce that
registered to host infrastructure on club partnership with Shared Access. the first Club playing in Scotland
property – adding to a database now in has been identified for investment
The SFP Trust has been hugely through our Partnership with
excess of 500 Scottish clubs.
encouraged by the response so far, Shared Access with discussions
Following the success of a similar particularly as our partnership with ongoing over an initial investment
scheme in England, Ireland and Wales, Shared Access provides a viable funding fee of £22,500
the SFP Trust and Shared Access believe option for clubs at a time when football
the level of investment in Scotland at every level faces financial challenges
could reach £5m over the next in sustaining, enhancing and improving Clubs or organisations keen to
5 years. Much will depend on interest facilities. It is critical for the long-term learn more about the funding
from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) health of football, and Scotland in scheme should visit
and the speed in which 5G is rolled out. general, that we find innovative ways to thescottishfootballpartnership.
Meantime individual clubs with a bring investment into grassroots sport. com/shared-access/
suitable location – from grassroots to Shared Access has a tried and tested to register their interest and site
professional – will be able to upgrade model for helping clubs and we are location.
If you would like to see more of what the Or contact us at:
Scottish Football Partnership are up to, The Scottish Football Partnership
or to apply for your own funding, please St Mirren Park, Greenhill Road,
visit us online at Paisley PA3 1RU
thescottishfootballpartnership.com
Telephone: 0141 887 3863
@SFP_football Like us on Facebook admin@thescottishfootballpartnership.com
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