Football fever hit Ayrshire in September as local youngsters and their families enjoyed the McDonald’s South West Regional Football Festival, held at Kilwinning Sports Club.
150 participating clubs who had either completed or are currently working towards the Scottish FA’s Quality Mark award in partnership with McDonald’s were invited by the Scottish FA to attend the weekend festival – organised by John Brown, Scottish FA Club Development Manager for the South West region, and his team.
The festival formed part of McDonald’s community partnership with the Scottish FA and aimed to encourage youngsters to sharpen their skills and compete against other teams in the region. Scottish FA development coaches were also on hand to give tips to players and coaches over the weekend.
John Brown, The Scottish FA’s South West Club Development Officer said: “At the South West Festival we were delighted to be able to work again with our Community Partner McDonald’s and host the football festival for all of our Ayrshire based Soccer 7s teams. The vast majority of teams that took part were from clubs that already benefit from being involved in the Quality Mark programme and we were delighted to continue our partnership with McDonald’s.”
Over the last eight years, McDonald’s has helped to improve football in Scotland, creating over 2,000 new community coaches and 1,800 new football teams, as well as working with a network of McDonald’s restaurant franchisees to provide kit and equipment to clubs through the club twinning programme.