YFS
The Scottish Football Partnership Trust has been given funding by the European governing body UEFA to help kick-start their new GoFitba project.
UEFA awarded the Trust €50,000, (£44,000) after they were nominated by the Scottish Football Association to the UEFA Foundation for Children for the funds to start the project, which will aim to cater to nearly 500 primary school children across Scotland.
The project, GoFitba, is a football based health and wellbeing project delivered by The SFPT in association with community football clubs.
The 12-week project aims to provide 480 children with a fun platform for physical activity as well as developing an understanding of the importance of healthy eating.
The programme will offer them a chance to enjoy an hour of fun football-based activity led by club coaches to develop their physical skills, attitude and confidence, followed by an hour where they will be taught how to lead a healthier lifestyle through diet and nutrition.
James Clydesdale, Chairman of The SFPT said: “Football can be a positive tool for personal and community development. We are extremely excited to be delivering twelve projects across the country and to be given the opportunity to engage with local schoolchildren and encourage them towards a healthy and active lifestyle.”
And Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive said: “We were delighted to nominate The Scottish Football Partnership Trust for this award from UEFA and are extremely proud to have been involved in securing funding for such a noble and worthwhile project.
“The GoFitba project is a fantastic way to showcase what Scottish football clubs and organisations can offer to the young members of their communities. It is projects such as this that positively contribute to changing behaviours and attitudes at an early age and we are delighted to have played a role in funding this initiative.”
The 12 community clubs involved are:
Aberdeen Community Trust
Cumbernauld Colts
Dundee East Community Sports Club
Falkirk Foundation
Glenrothes Strollers FC
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community
Kilmarnock Community Sports Trust
Kilwinning Sports Club
Motherwell FC Community Trust
Pollock United Soccer Academy
Spartans Community Football Academy
St. Mirren in the Community