We're excited to publish our updated strategic plan to lead the organisation and Scottish football into an exciting new era.
Football is our national game. It is a way of life. A national obsession. A sport that unites communities, shapes lives and inspires dreams from the school playground to our National Stadium.
Our previous strategic plan has helped us deliver memorable moments, including back-to-back qualification for the UEFA Men’s EUROS in 2020 and 2024. It has helped grow grassroots participation and, with it, an army of volunteers. It has provided unforgettable moments in the Men’s and Women’s Scottish Cup and enabled the implementation of VAR as Scottish football embraces the increasing involvement of technology in the global game.
It has ended with qualification for the FIFA Men’s World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Our new strategic plan exists to provide a framework for continued success on and off the field.
Scottish Football’s Social Return on Investment is measured in hundreds of millions, a scale that translates into health, wellbeing and opportunities – tangible evidence of how our game inspires the nation and transforms lives.
This complements an overall gross economic impact from Scottish professional football of £820m GVA. It is why this new strategy is an evolution; a reinforcement of the Power of Football. The next chapter sets out a clear plan to put the eyes of the world on us: with Barclays Hampden as a co-host venue for the UEFA Men’s EUROS in 2028 and with plans to secure the same with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.
We aspire to be participants as well as hosts, with the plan to improve all levels of the game from Pitching In – generating £100m to transform facilities and infrastructure – to the implementation of a wide-ranging review of youth development.
We will measure progress in three strategic goals: Enable, Enjoy and Excel. These will guide our aspirations and ensure everyone can enjoy a lifelong love of football.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “I am pleased to publish our new strategic plan. As we reviewed the progress of the original Power of Football it immediately became apparent that we should continue to evolve the key pillars that have helped deliver success on and off the pitch.
“The ambition now is to increase the momentum we have generated at all levels of the game, from grassroots to elite men’s and women’s competitions and ultimately the national teams.
“We are making significant strides in our relationships with UK and Scottish Government to demonstrate that Power of Football. They not only recognise our unique cultural appeal as the No.1 sport in the country but are now investing in our ability to create a healthier nation through football participation.
“Pitching In, which is transforming the football estate nationwide, and Extra Time, a Scottish Government-backed initiative providing essential after school and holiday activity clubs for primary school aged children, are two of the most uplifting and rewarding projects I have been involved in as CEO and I look forward to more people of all ages and abilities benefitting from the Power of Football in the coming years.”