School children from Woodlands PS will get the chance to meet St Mirren manager Danny Lennon at a Tesco Bank Football Challenge coaching session. The event is being held at Woodland PS, Linwood, 3 to 4pm, Tuesday 21st September.


The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a four year community programme run in partnership with the Scottish FA. The programme introduces football to Primary 2 and Primary 3 children (6-8 years old) across Scotland and gets them engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle.


St Mirren manager Danny Lennon said: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is integral to the development of the game in Scotland. It is not only about learning basic football skills but also about getting children involved in physical activity. I think that is fantastic that so many children from the Renfrewshire area have been given the chance to take part in an initiative that is beneficial for both the local community and Scottish football.”


Benny Higgins, Tesco Bank Chief Executive commented:
“Tesco aims to make a positive contribution to Renfrewshire both in the way we do business and by supporting community initiatives. Football is central to this programme, acting as a vehicle for fitness and the development of both physical and social skills.  Our aim is to see hundreds of boys and girls from across the region participating in football on a regular basis and having fun.”


Over 350 boys and girls are taking part in the Tesco Bank programme within the Renfrewshire area. St Mirren Community and Scottish FA qualified coach, Ross Smith has been delivering football sessions in 10 Renfrewshire schools. Among the schools which have already benefited are Glencoats Primary, St Fergus Primary, St Peter’s Primary, Langcraigs Primary, Heriot Primary, Bushes Primary and St Paul’s Primary, all in Paisley, as well as East Fulton Primary and Our Lady of Peace Primary, both in Linwood.


Tesco will be investing over £1 million in the programme and will use the power of football to get 7 and 8-year-old children active. The aim is to reach 72,000 boys and girls of all levels and abilities in at least 1,600 primary schools across Scotland’s 32 local authorities.