Arniston Rangers Football Club has been recognised for its valuable contribution to grassroots football.
Club Chairman Andrew Cranston was presented with the Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award before a training session of their new U9 team at Gorebridge Primary by Keith Wright, Scottish FA Football Development Officer for Midlothian Council.
 
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.
 
Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.
 
Andrew Cranston said: “We are delighted to be recognised for the work we do within football here in Midlothian. We have a dedicated group of coaches, parents and players who have travelled far and wide to represent the club and enjoyed the many benefits that their involvement in sport has brought. We are pleased that the club’s partnership work with the Scottish FA has been recognised through this award. We are keen to continue to develop the Club and achieve the next level in the year ahead and we have exciting times ahead.
 
Scottish FA Club Development Manager, David Drummond said: “It is very pleasing to have helped Arniston Rangers towards this award.  The standard of organisation at the club is first rate and with Andrew and Colin Wilson heading things up and looking after the gathering of Quality Mark evidence, football in the town is in good hands!  I would like to offer the Scottish FA’s hearty congratulations to the entire club, from the Committee down to every young player who has represented the club. "
 
Arniston Rangers are a relatively new club and have moved quickly to gain their award having grown from one team in 2006 to now boasting teams at 11-a-side, 7-a-side and a thriving soccer school.
 
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 scheme is part of McDonald’s long-standing partnership with the Scottish FA, which has also helped to create over 1,400 community coaches across Scotland since 2002.
 
Through the 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 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.
 
The Big Lottery Fund is a key Scottish FA partner, contributing £6m to the delivery of the Scottish FA Youth Action Plan.
 
For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please visit www.scottishfa.co.uk/footballdevelopment