"They put a lot of time ensuring they provide a fun and safe environment for youngsters to enjoy football.

"Without them, local children simply wouldn’t be able to play our national game. Well done to them all for achieving the high standards required to gain a Quality Mark Award and many thanks to McDonald’s and sportscotland for their continued support of the programme.” McDonald’s, Scottish FA’s community partner since 2002, are committed to helping young footballers shine by attracting 13,000 new volunteers and 10,000 new coaches by 2014, as well as supporting 600 clubs and 52,000 players through new and existing football networks. Through the Quality Mark Awards scheme, McDonald’s and the Scottish FA aim to provide support to grassroots clubs and schools across Scotland as they strive to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development.

The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme is supported by sportscotland, the national agency for sport. sportscotland has one clear focus – to develop a world class sporting system for Scotland – and works with partners to build success for Scottish sport.

sportscotland is a key partner in the delivery of youth football programmes, investing over £1m per year in activities including employment of club development staff, discounted coach education and training for volunteers.

For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please visitwww.scottishfa.co.uk/qualitymark