December 2019
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KEEPIE THE MAGAZINE OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP UPPIE & TRUST DECEMBER 2019 Working in partnership with: Scottish Football Partnership Season’s Greetings and I am often asked what my role I see an organisation that believes involves at The Scottish Football in changing lives through sport with welcome to the December Chief Partnership and what it is that we do projects such as GoFitba which 2019 edition of Keepie Uppie to support the game? provides free football, education and food to disadvantaged children. magazine which showcases So, when I think about The Scottish our investment of Football Partnership, I see an I hope in the pages which follow, you Operating organisation which provides grant too will see an organisation which funding to improve stadia and training is living up to its core purpose of ground infrastructure for our senior supporting Scottish football. clubs, ensuring improved provision As a small team, none of what for players to play and spectators to Officer’s we do would be possible without £686,899 watch the game safely. strong partnerships and I would in supporting Scottish I see an organisation which invests personally like to thank colleagues at football at every level in the in professional youth academies and sportscotland and The Scottish FA’s Report talented young players. Football Development Department led past six months... but what by Paul McNeill and Andy Gould for I see an organisation which assists does that mean exactly? their support again this year. clubs playing within pyramid leagues and those aspiring to join them with We are also extremely grateful to key facility developments. all nine funding partners who have invested in our Charitable Trust this I see an organisation which invests year - this has made a significant in modern playing and changing difference to our ability to assist the facilities for community clubs. game at grassroots level. Please I see an organisation which provides look out for an exciting funding funds to grassroots clubs to allow announcement on page 27. them to develop and grow, at the Finally, our Board of Directors and same time investing in their incredible Trustees have a real passion for volunteers to ensure they have the helping Scottish football and they look skills and confidence to work with forward to receiving your next funding young players. application in 2020. I see an organisation which invests in Best wishes. initiatives that gives girls opportunities to play football within a school and Stuart McCaffrey club environment. Chief Operating Officer I see an organisation which believes in making sport safer by investing in First Aid Training for coaches and providing lifesaving equipment for clubs. I see an organisation which supports projects which use football to engage with and improve the lives of community members, young and old. THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP & TRUST IN NUMBERS TO DECEMBER 2019 SUPPORTING: INFRASTRUCTURE | FOOTBALL FOR ALL | EDUCATION | HEALTHY COMMUNITIES | DEVELOPING THE GAME | GRASSROOTS FACILITIES PORTABLE CHANGING 32 THAT’S AN INVESTMENT OF ROOM PROJECTS SFP COMPLETED £605,871 SUPPORTING ACTIVITY FOR AWARDS 3 2,100 COMMUNITY PLAYERS SFP TRUST AWARDS 68 FOR AN INVESTMENT OF £81,028 440 1,8 40 CHILDREN PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES GIRLS ENGAGED IN TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SCOTTISH SCHOOLS’ GOFITBA PROJECT FA NATIONAL CUP 48 COMPETITIONS 30 CLUB DEVELOPMENT ANTI-RACISM GRANTS FOR WORKSHOPS GRASSROOTS DELIVERED AT QUALITY-MARK CLUBS DEFIBRILLATORS GRASSROOTS CLUBS BY £24,000 INVESTMENT SAFEGUARDING 12,075 PEOPLE SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD 12 Scottish Football Scottish Football Partnership SFP FACILITY AWARDS SFP FACILITY AWARDS Partnership Arbroath F.C. New Seating within Main Stand Arbroath F.C. received a Facility Award to assist with a project to replace seating within the Main Stand at Gayfield Park. The Stand, which has a capacity of 876, was last renovated in 2002 and after it became apparent that some of the seating had deteriorated to such an extent that it was becoming a safety concern for spectators, the club agreed to replace a section of these seats. Rangers F.C. Mike Caird, the Club Chairman thanked the SFP for its support: New Academy Facilities “Arbroath F.C. are once again extremely grateful for the financial assistance that the Partnership has been able to provide towards ground Here you can see the new Academy Facilities at the club’s Milngavie Training Centre following improvements at Gayfield Park. This summer has seen the replacement recent funding support from The Scottish Football Partnership to assist with the installation of a of a large number of seats in the Main Stand which was part-funded by new Stand with changing rooms and floodlights. Craig Mulholland, the club’s Head of Academy a Facilities Award. We, as a club, have been supported for many years commented: by The SFP with assistance for several projects and greatly appreciate the fantastic relationship we have been able to build up with them.” “We are delighted with the impact the new Academy stand, changing facility and education suite has had on the lives and learning of our players and coaches. The additional dressing room space has allowed us to increase the contact time with our young players and ultimately having more players training more often will result in an improved quality of player being produced. The new dressing room space has allowed us to increase the variety in our match programme, including the hosting of larger festivals and tournaments, again benefitting the learning and experience we can offer the young talent. Albion Rovers F.C. The education suite has allowed us to increase the amount of academic education a New Goalposts and Pitch Drainage young person does in the building with our in-house teachers and tutors and again allows the technical, sports science and analysis staff to obtain more contact time with our best talent. The SFP awarded funding to Albion Rovers F.C. to assist the club replace the goalposts The significant investment from primarily the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund, the club at Cliftonhill Stadium, as well as upgrading and of course The Scottish Football Partnership has also allowed us to, in addition part of the pitch drainage system. Club to the new dressing rooms and education suite, add new floodlights, upgrade the Secretary, Colin Woodward wished to record grass pitch, add new perimeter fencing and it has created an excellent seated environment his appreciation and said for supporters and parents to enjoy football. Our women’s team have benefitted enormously from this and now have one of the best playing environments in the Scottish Women’s game. “Albion Rovers F.C. would like to thank the Partnership who for the third occasion We are extremely grateful to the SFP for their continued support and I am sure they will be in 5 years co-funded improvements to our delighted to know that their funding support has had such a positive impact on so many stadium. aspiring footballers.” This season we replaced the traditional goalposts with a high spec contemporary model and did much needed work to improve the drainage on the pitch which will reduce the threat to games when there is heavy rainfall. In recent years the SFP has also financially supported improvements to the floodlighting and heating system at our stadium.” Scottish Football Scottish Football Partnership SFP FACILITY AWARDS SFP FACILITY AWARDS Partnership Kilmarnock F.C. Heart of Midlothian F.C. New Playing Surface CCTV Upgrade at Tynecastle Park Kilmarnock F.C. received an Over the past 3 years, Hearts have embarked on award from The SFP to help a series of projects to modify and upgrade their with the installation of their new stadium and in March this year, the club’s Board FieldTurf Core playing surface approved a significant investment to upgrade which was ready in time for the the existing CCTV system at Tynecastle. Ann commencement of the 2019/20 Budge, the Club’s Chairperson commented on season. the assistance given by the Partnership This high-quality synthetic turf “The Club was extremely grateful to have, is the most advanced on the once again, received financial support from market and is already used by the Scottish Football Partnership (SFP). In Champions League semi-finalists this instance we were awarded a contribution F.C. Barcelona and Ajax at their to assist with the design and installation of a new state of the art training centres as well as at CCTV system. CCTV is an essential part of ensuring the safety Everton’s Finch Farm complex. and security of all who visit Tynecastle Park. The team at Heart Kilmarnock F.C. are the first club in Scotland to use this technology on their first team pitch and of Midlothian are extremely pleased with the new system and the as well as the new turf system, Rugby Park stadium staff will benefit from FieldTurf’s Genius pitch Club thanks the Partnership most sincerely for their support.” monitoring system, which will maximise the longevity and safety of the surface. Elgin City F.C. Airdrieonians F.C. New Pitch Irrigation System Floodlight Upgrade The SFP were on hand to assist Elgin City F.C. with funding for a new pitch irrigation system at Borough Briggs. After being fined for not providing a surface fit for purpose last season, the SFP Facility awards are granted to support clubs meet the requirements of Scottish FA National club decided that a new sprinkler system was essential and agreed to press ahead with this key Club Licensing by funding infrastructure improvements and Airdrieonians F.C. received such infrastructure project. Graham Tatters, the Elgin City F.C. Chairman said: an award to assist with an upgrade to the floodlighting system at the Penny Cars Stadium.