Thurso Youth Club FC has been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football. Paul Reid, Secretary of Thurso Youth Club FC was presented with the Scottish FA Quality Mark – Standard Award in the Thurso Club last week by Peter Budge Scottish FA Football Development Officer for the Highlands & Islands.

The Award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and The Big Lottery Fund, recognises pro-active clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.

Thurso Youth Club FC received the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.

Paul Reid said “I would like to thank everyone within the club on helping achieve this award and for the support, time and encouragement from Peter.

Peter “I would like to pay tribute to the high standard of provision for the sixty plus children which make up Thurso Youth Club FC; U7s; U9s and U11s squads. The award is recognition of best practice and they follow a select band of six clubs in Highland that have attained the award.

There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community. So far more than 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, Scottish FA’s community partner since 2002, will help to attract 13,000 new volunteers and 10,000 new coaches by 2014, as well as supporting 600 clubs and 52,000 players through new and existing football networks.

Through the Quality Mark Accreditation 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