Central region's newest Quality Mark clubs and schools have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.
At the second annual Central region Quality Mark awards evening, Seafar Villa (Cumbernauld), Gairdoch United FC and Castleview FC were all at The Falkirk Stadium to be presented with their Quality Mark standard level certificates by Alex Totten of Falkirk FC and Elliot Jardine from McDonald's.
The awards were the culmination of an afternoon of celebrations, which saw 11 clubs who have achieved various levels of Quality Mark accreditation getting together. Everyone then watched Falkirk FC claim their first win of the season against Hamilton Academicals.
Present on the day were representatives from three schools (St Josephs Primary, Braidhurst High School and St Columbas High School) and seven clubs (Renton Craigandro FC, Castleview FC, Gairdoch Utd, Seafar Villa, Strathleven FC, Milan BC and Cowie Utd).
The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and supported by the Big Lottery Fund, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.
SportCentral/Scottish FA football development manager Alan Morgan said: "I am delighted that both Gairdoch and Castleview have been rewarded for all their hard work. This will hopefully ensure they continue to develop as a club."
Alan Taylor, football development manager for Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire added: "I am really pleased that Seafar Villa have gained the Quality Mark award as recognition of the quality of provision that they offer. I am sure that the club will continue to go from strength to strength"
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.
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 in the Central region, contact Alan Morgan morgana@sportcentral.org.uk or Alan Taylor Alan.Taylor@scottishfa.co.uk