Scotland star David Marshall yesterday returned to his former Primary School, St. Thomas’ Primary, in Riddrie to announce that the Tesco Bank Football Challenge has now helped 100,000 children stay fit and active via sessions run by Scottish FA coaches.

Primary school children enjoyed a session with Scottish FA coaches, before former pupil Marshall spoke to children from across the whole school.

As part of the Tesco Bank Football Challenge, in partnership with the Scottish FA, children receive six weeks of in-school coaching to help kick-start a love of the game and to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

Over 100,000 children across every school in Scotland have now enjoyed taking part in the country’s leading football participation programme.

Tesco Bank’s Community Programme helps more than 70,000 children each year through its partnerships with the Scottish FA, The Reading Agency and the National Galleries of Scotland.

David Marshall said:

“It was great to visit my old school today and to see they are so engaged in the Tesco Bank Football Challenge. The fact that 100,000 children have now been involved in such a prestigious football programme is brilliant, as programmes like this teach good exercise habits from an early age. My love of football started when I was young, however if children aren’t going to go on and have a career in the game it’s still vital to help them to have fun with football and instil the importance of a healthy and active life.”

Jim Fleeting, Scottish FA Director of Football Development commented:

“A big part of the Tesco Bank Football Challenge is reaching out to as many children as possible, and so it is fantastic that over 100,000 kids have been involved in sessions to help them form a healthy, active lifestyle and have fun doing so. Our coaches work incredibly hard to promote how important this is and the hard work has certainly paid off in light of this milestone!”

Adele Mills, Senior Community Investment Manager at Tesco Bank, added:

“Our Community Programme is about encouraging children to develop positive, lifelong habits and have fun whilst doing so. We are very proud that 100,000 children have benefitted from football coaching sessions, which we have seen give children confidence whilst staying active.

"The fact that every school in Scotland has now enjoyed a visit from the Tesco Bank Football Challenge programme is fantastic, and we look forward to involving even more children in the programme over the next three years.”