Easthouses Boys Club has become the fifth club in Midlothian to attain the Scottish Football Association’s Quality Mark Standard Award.
On hand to present the Award was Midlothian Lord Provost Adam Montgomery and ex Hibernian striker Keith Wright
The award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.
Easthouses Boys Club was formed in 1948 and offers football opportunities to over 120 players over seven teams and the ever-growing Soccer School.
Chairman Stuart McLean, said: “I'm extremely proud that Easthouses Boys Club has now been awarded Quality Mark status. We have worked hard and are now looking forward to achieving the next level.”
Keith Wright, who now works as the Scottish FA’s football development officer for Midlothian Council said: “It’s great to see clubs at grassroots level being recognised for the work that goes on behind the scenes. Ultimately it is the players who benefit from a well run, forward thinking club”.
His comments were echoed by Lord Provost Montgomery who said: "I'm delighted that Easthouses Boys Club has become only the fifth club in Midlothian to attain the Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award. I know that a huge amount of effort goes into the successful running of this local club and I’m delighted that the hard work has been recognised."
There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community. So far almost 100 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.
McDonald’s, official partner of the Scottish FA Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, will invest £100,000 in the scheme over three years as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots football in Scotland.
The Quality Mark scheme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which contributes to the employment of all Scottish FA club development staff, as well as discounted coach education and first aid courses for grassroots volunteers.