Tynecastle Football Club has been recognised for its valuable contribution to grassroots football.
Tynecastle’s Douglas Dalgleish, Eddie Smeaton, Douglas Ormston and Stuart McKenzie were presented with the Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award at half time during the pre-season friendly between Tynecastle’s newly promoted East of Scotland Premier League team and a Hearts U19 select.
The game was used as a warm up to the new season but also to celebrate the opening of the new pavilion at Fernieside Park where Tynecastle will play their home games.
The award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and Big Lottery Fund, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.
Clubs receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.
Tynecastle FC was formed in 1928 and offers football opportunities to over 350 players spanning 20 teams and an ever-expanding soccer school.
Tynecastle FC Chairman, Douglas Dalgleish, said: “I'm very proud that Tynecastle Football Club has been awarded Quality Mark status. Everyone at the club has worked very hard to achieve the award, and now we’ll continue working towards the next level.”
Scottish FA Regional Club Development Manager, David Drummond, said: “Everyone at Tynecastle FC is clearly very passionate about developing the club, and they constantly strive to give the players here the best possible experience. A huge amount of effort goes into the successful running of this club so it’s fantastic that they are gaining recognition for all their hard work”.
Ian Richardson, Chairman of the Scottish FA South East Regional Committee: “This is a fantastic achievement for the club and something that will be of real benefit to football in Edinburgh. Tynecastle is a great local club with a long history and this accreditation will help them as they continue to develop in the future."
There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community, and so far almost 100 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation.
McDonald’s, official partner of the Scottish FA Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, will invest £100,000 in the scheme over three years as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots football in Scotland. The scheme is part of McDonald’s long-standing partnership with the Scottish FA, which has also helped to create over 1,400 community coaches across Scotland since 2002.
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.