Children from 20 local primary schools across Motherwell had an amazing afternoon of football and fun at the Tesco Bank Football Challenge Festival last week at Ravenscraig Sports Facility.

The schools are the latest to have taken part in six weeks of coaching sessions as part of the Scottish FA’s flagship participation programme and are now coming together for a finale to remember.

The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a four-year community programme run in partnership with the Scottish FA. The project introduces football to Primary two and Primary three children (six to eight years old) across Scotland to help get them engage in a healthy and active lifestyle.

After two years of the programme over 39,000 children (8.7% more than targeted) across 1000 schools in Scotland have been engaged with the country’s leading football participation programme, accounting for more than 40% of the nation’s primary schools.

The Scottish FA led programme was recognised by UEFA, winning a silver grassroots award last season.

Paul Lumsden, Head Teacher at Muirhouse Primary School said: “It is fantastic to be part of the Tesco Bank Football Challenge. The children had a wonderful day at the Douglas Sports Centre and one I’m sure they will remember for a very long time.”

Scottish FA football development officer Andy Smith said: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge continues to grow from strength to strength and we’re pleased to welcome the children to Motherwell for a third successive year.”

Adele Mills, Community Investment Manager at Tesco Bank added: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge continues to be a huge success.  We’re delighted that children in the Motherwell area can benefit and carry on being part of a programme that has been recognised by UEFA as outstanding in its field.”