There was good news for the young sporting stars of the future when East Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with Rossvale Football Club was awarded £100,000 from the Cashback for Communities Fund.
This much needed money has been invested in a new 3G synthetic football pitch at Huntershill Playfield in Bishopbriggs.
This new Council facility will be used by Rossvale Football Club for training and football games and will also be a welcome additional resource for other community groups.
Councillor Amanda Stewart, Convener of Housing and Community Services, welcomed Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill MSP to a festival to celebrate the opening of the new facility.
There were different activities for all the family, including a skills challenge area, an inflatable pitch, beat the goalie and other activities provided by Scottish FA Community Partner McDonalds.
Councillor Amanda Stewart said: “The Council is delighted that we have been awarded this money from Cashback for Communities for this state-of-the-art 3G synthetic football pitch.
"Today many young people are at a loss about what to do in their leisure time. This new facility is a welcome addition to the community and I hope that this may encourage many more to get involved in sport. My congratulations to Rossvale Football Club for their vision to create an all girls football team and I look forward with interest on how this will develop.”
Kenny MacAskill MSP said: “I make no secret of my passion for football, so I am delighted that Rossvale FC now have access to a modern playing surface that has been made possible with the assistance of CashBack for Communities funding. I’m sure it will play a key role in supporting the development of the next generation of footballing talent to come from Bishopbriggs.
"Facilities are vital and we are delighted to be able to assist. But the financial contribution is dwarfed by the voluntary efforts of all those involved who give their time and effort.
"Sport contributes to the health and well-being of young people and this investment is an excellent example of how Cashback is making a positive impact. By taking funds from the ill-gotten gains of crime and putting it back into our communities, we are making them safer, and offering young people opportunities that steer them away from getting involved in drink or drugs.”
Ian Grey, Rossvale Football Club Manager said: "Rossvale FC would like to thank Cashback for Communities, East Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish FA for this project at Huntershill coming to fruition. Without co-operation from all involved then the opportunity to give the club a base could have been missed.
"With full access to this facility run by the Council, we will be able to grow our club even further and will be able to incorporate a full girls section in the near future. Particular thanks should go to Mark Grant and Gordon Strain at East Dunbartonshire Council and Andy Gilchrist, Alan Taylor and Stuart Alexander at the Scottish FA Central Region.”
There was also a special presentation on the day, when Jim Fleeting, Director of Football Development at the Scottish FA, presented Ian Grey with Rossvale Football Club's Scottish FA Quality Mark Development Level Award.