Regions

School of football

Govan High School and St Mungos Academy inGlasgow are two of sixteen Schools of Football around the country -part of the Scottish FA's mission to encourage more young people to playthe game, more often.

The Scottish FA Schools of Footballare about more than just playing ability, they aim to mould bettercitizens and develop social and academic abilities through the vehicleof football.

As part of the programme pupils follow an enhanced timetable which includes a period of football activity every day.

Footballis used as a tool to motivate the pupils, enhance their social skillssuch as communication, listening and behaviour with the programme’ssuccess being evaluated through factors such as school attendance andacademic improvement. The pupils are coached by Scottish FA Player andCoach Development Officer, Brian McLaughlin.

Due to thefact that the players are involved in daily sessions for the first 2years of their school life, they must possess a reasonable playingability to cope with these demands however their selection is based onmuch more. Their social circumstances, academic performance andattendance are all important indicators in deciding whether or not theyare appropriate for the programme. Scottish FA coaches lead theselection and football aspects, but the programme is very much apartnership with local authority education departments, school teachers,active schools co-ordinators and football development officers.

Throughoutthe programme, players have the opportunity to be identified by seniorclubs involved in the Scottish FA Youth Initiative programme.

TheScottish FA Schools of Football are supported by the ScottishGovernments CashBack for Communities initiative which puts criminalsill-gotten gains to a good use with the Scottish FA being one of fournational CashBack sports partners of the Scottish Government.

For further information on this programme in the West region, contact Brian McLaughlin on brian.mclaughlin@scottishfa.co.uk or 07841 569803.