Thirteen local clubs have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.
At a special awards evening at Hampden Park the clubs were presented with their Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards by Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan and director of football development Jim Fleeting.
The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and The Big Lottery Fund, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation. There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community.
The following clubs received their awards:
Community Award
Milton Rovers YFC
Development Award
Bonnyton Thistle FC, Claremont AFC, Caledonian YFC
Standard Award
Cumnock Juniors FC, Dumfries Girls FC, EK Burgh United AFC, Girvan FC, Irvine Thistle FC, Hamilton Accies W/GFC, Mill United FC, Scotland BC, Terregles Youth FC
Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and lanning. So far more than 100 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.
Chief executive Stewart Regan said:
“I am delighted that so many of the volunteer army that keeps Scottish football alive gathered at the National Stadium to receive recognition for their commitment. I would like to offer my own personal thanks, as well as those of everyone at the Association, for all that they do.”
McDonald’s, Scottish FA’s community partner since 2002, will help to attract 13,000 new volunteers and 10,000 new coaches by 2014, as well as supporting 600 clubs and 52,000 players through new and existing football networks.
Through the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, McDonald’s and the Scottish FA aim to provide support to grassroots clubs and schools across Scotland as they strive to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development.
The Quality Mark scheme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which contributes to the employment of all Scottish FA club development staff, as well as discounted coach education and first aid courses for grassroots volunteers. The Big Lottery Fund is a key Scottish FA partner, contributing £6m to the delivery of the Scottish FA Youth Action Plan.
For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, visit www.scottishfa.co.uk/footballdevelopment or contact South West club development manager John Brown on john.brown@scottishfa.co.uk