Following the success of the Easter holiday camp programme, Scottish Gas and the Scottish FA are once again teaming up to deliver free football camps across Scotland this summer. These camps will help families during the school holidays while keeping thousands of children active, social, and engaged.
Running throughout July and August, the Scottish Gas Summer Holiday Football Camps will take place in towns and cities across the country, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Aberdeen. Over 1,500 children are expected to attend.
Additionally, the Summer will see an increase in the Scottish Gas Para-Festivals, which support people with disabilities in engaging with and participating in football. These week-long camps run throughout the year and engage with over 1,000 participants.
The Summer football camps build on recent findings showing that nearly half of UK parents feel anxious about keeping children entertained and fed during school holidays — pressures that initiatives like these help to ease.
Lee McCulloch, former Scotland international, and Pat Nevin, former Chelsea and Everton winger, have both voiced their support for the football camps and Para-festivals, praising their focus on accessibility, community, and opportunity.
Lee McCulloch outlines the Benefits of running Easter football camps for the community: “Football has always been more than just a game to me. It’s about teamwork, confidence, and keeping active. These camps are a brilliant way for kids to stay engaged during the break while also giving parents some much-needed peace of mind.”
Pat Nevin outlines the importance of increasing the awareness of the Para-Festivals: "There’s strong evidence that football and sport can play a huge role in supporting young people with autism, from improving motor skills and social interaction to helping reduce the severity of certain symptoms. That’s why initiatives like the Para-Festivals are so important. The positive impact they can have isn’t just significant — it can be life-changing."
James Corcoran, Head of Strategic Brand Partnerships at Scottish Gas, comments on the established ties between Scottish Gas and the Scottish FA that enabled the return of the Easter football camps: “Scottish Gas has been a constant in communities for generations, and we’re proud to support families when it matters most. Our holiday camps are about more than football – they offer fun activities for kids and support for parents who need a reliable helping hand over the holidays.”
The football camps taking place over the coming weeks not only encourage physical activity but also foster social connections and provide vital support for families. The initiative makes a real difference, providing relief to parents while also giving children a healthy and enjoyable holiday experience.
For more information on the Summer Football camps dates and locations, please visit here.
For more on the Para football festivals, please visit here.