THE MAGAZINE OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP & TRUST December 2020

Over £1.1M invested into Scottish Football in 2020

Working in partnership with:

1 £915,619 Raised this year for Scottish Football through Over £1.1M Charitable Giving A word from invested into the Chairman Scottish Football £676,920 Invested in in 2020 We charge towards Christmas after a year no one to have him at the helm in 2000-1, their most traumatic Covid-19 could have envisaged, even at the end of a very good season. He was a calm, steadying influence, trusted Emergency Support £188,153 Christmas lunch. The new normal has been difficult for by all, combining financial savvy with a passion for the Invested into all and tragic for some. game and the club. He brought these qualities and Community If you pull the duvet cover over your head, Covid wins. much more to the Scottish Football Partnership. Our Clubs and £191,274 Invested into I am delighted to say we have never stopped. It is condolences go out to his family. Grassroots Volunteers Senior Club testimony to the endeavour of Stuart and Laura and my 44 SWF Premiership £56,564 Andrew Charters replaced Bill on the board coming Infrastructure Invested in Community and Championship co-directors that the following 16 pages demonstrate from his job as CFO with the Scottish FA. He was with projects projects using Sport we adapted and found new ways to work. Clubs provided for Change and us just under a year and was really getting in to what we Sustainability promoting Diversity We remain indebted to the team of suppliers, advisors do when a transfer cropped up and he had to demit Grants totaling 11 Community and Inclusion in and contractors who help us deliver what we do in a office. We wish him well in his new job. £275,000 clubs supported Disadvantaged Communities safe and productive manner. with Facility Grants No one could have written the script for the last nine 25 Scottish FA The year has witnessed a significant increase in months. We all live different lives now and do not £162,500 Member Clubs charitable donations from a wide range of sources. know one day to the next what the new normal will be. of Sustainability 38 Community Supported with clubs provided with Please be assured we get the money out there as Regardless, I hope this finds you and your family well Funding Invested Facility Grants 20 Community directly into Scottish Development Grants Club led GoFitba quickly as we can and without our help would and safe. be baking more couch potatoes. Women’s Football Projects allocated 10 Aspiring Funding Have a peaceful and happy Christmas holiday and 9 Community It is with great sadness we have to report the passing of Scottish FA Member please remember we remain eager to help in 2021. £219,420 clubs provided with our recently retired director Bill Littlejohn. We still miss Clubs Supported Invested directly Defibrillators Community JAMES CLYDESDALE, with Facility Grants 12 him, he was the provider of sage advice and kept the into Scottish Club led GoFitba chairman’s worst excesses in check. Having spent more Chairman Youth FA reducing Holiday projects Community than 20 years on the board at Tannadice he probably participation cost for 10 8 East of Scotland delivered in clubs provided with found us easy to manage. Dundee United were lucky teams League Clubs partnership with 4,140 IT Sustainability Supported with The Scottish FA Grants new Defibrillators and Cashback for 18 Highland Communities Football League SYFA Thank you to all our Partners and the organisations who have supported our work in 2020 Clubs provided with 1,000 Coaches set to be Covid-19 mitigation supported through support £10,000 Scottish FA Coach Coming soon in 2021 Education Following the launch of our 62 Scottish Junior #GiveforGrassroots appeal we will be FA Clubs provided 1,000 SYFA rolling out a new funding strand for with Covid-19 Coaches set to be community clubs to support young players mitigation support supported through suffering through financial hardship so £10,000 Sports First Aid they can continue to participate Training

2 3 #SWFSustainability £437,500 Invested Focus of James Anderson Fund £275,000 Directly Invested into Clubs Objective – 1 Objective -2 Objective – 3 £162,500 Ensuring Scottish Support SWF to offset Optimise the ability Directly Invested Women’s Premier League some of the short-term of girls’ and women’s into SWF 1 and 2 Clubs are the main revenue losses, which football to navigate the beneficiaries so they can include broadcast/ COVID-19 pandemic Covid-19 Support for retain professional staff, commercial income and without significant Key Stats players and key club gate receipts, and retain setback to the progress Scottish Women’s Football infrastructure during a lean staff that could made in recent years. 42 of the 44 clubs an extended period of continue to support and supported indicated Scottish Women’s Football (SWF), the members’ organisation Outcome inactivity. deliver a professional that the Covid -19 for women and girls’ football, has taken the sport to a new service to member clubs. £62,500 was directly Pandemic had Outcome level in recent years. Qualification for the first time to the invested into SWF so that negatively impacted Outcome Women’s World Cup in 2019 was a sign of the SWF’s successful £112,500 was affiliation fees for around them long-term strategy and a catalyst for further development. split evenly between £75,000 was directly 200 teams could be 8 SWPL 1 clubs with invested into SWF. reduced by 75% for The investment in players, coaches and infrastructure is 26 of the 44 clubs each club receiving the new season, ensuring supported indicated reflected in the increasingly professional ‘performance’ £14,062.50 clubs can continue that they would not to participate and the pyramid structure with the SWPL 1 and 2, the top two leagues £62,500 was split have survived through positive momentum now bolstered by the introduction of a two-tier regional evenly between 10 SWPL 2 the Covid-19 Pandemic in girls’ and women’s clubs with each receiving without the support Championship of 26 clubs. football continues. £6,250 they received

Impact of Covid-19 on SWF COVID-19 Intervention and Focus of ‘Anonymous Fund’

and Member Clubs – March Support Packages Ensuring SWF Championship clubs are the 2020 Scottish Women’s Football has been main beneficiaries of the fund. The lockdown in March 2020 could not have collaborating with The Scottish Football With the Championship being a key come at a worse time for Scottish Women’s Partnership Trust (SFP Trust) in recent years component of the new performance Football as it coincided with the start of their to deliver positive outcomes for the girls’ and pyramid and about to embark on its inaugural season of the new set-up. As SWF’s women’s game. inaugural season it was critical that the Premiership and Championship seasons were investments and commitment that all Together in June 2020 they approached put on hold, this had an adverse impact on 26 clubs had made in relation to the philanthropist James Anderson, and a revenues (commercial, gate receipts etc.) at meeting enhanced criteria for qualified “Football for girls and women both club and league level. There was also second ‘anonymous’ donor a month later, coaching staff, improved match venues in Scotland continues to make the fear with no matches being played that it to discuss the challenges COVID-19 posed and player medical and physio support incredible progress across could lead to an increasing invisibility just as for SWF and the 44 Premiership and was not in vain. every level and this has really the sport was soaring to a new level on the Championship Clubs. Both donors were inspired me to support SWF back of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. keen to help. Sustainability funds were set up through this partnership which could attract Gift-Aid managed by the Intervention approach with The SFP Trust. Key developments, such as the league’s SFP Trust. The focus was to buy time so the Football is at the heart of investment in a staff team to deliver a £100,000 was split evenly between communities across Scotland professional product, were now at risk. women’s game could survive the COVID crisis all 26 Championship Clubs with each and the women’s game is a key The clubs’ investment in the infrastructure, until it was safe for football to return. James club receiving a sustainability grant of part of this.” staff and facilities of their women’s sections Anderson donated £250,000 while £3,846.15. was also threatened. COVID-19 was a major the anonymous donor provided a further A further £25,000 was provided – James Anderson setback at a pivotal time in SWF’s history as it £100,000. Through the processing of directly to SWF for future events and the was establishing an increasingly professional Gift-aid by the SFP Trust the biggest ever marketing of senior cup competitions model with positive commercial forecasts investment into SWF was created, a fund total to encourage greater attendances and and visibility. However, help was at hand. of £437,500. engagement with local communities.

4 5 #SCOTTISHYOUTHFA #COVIDSUPPORT

£319,420 Invested James Anderson Supporting Covid-19 Support for 4,140 Teams 62,293 Players Scottish Youth Football 2,000 Volunteers

Target of Funding The Scottish Youth FA (SYFA) is the national governing body for A word of thanks from the clubs… grassroots football across Scotland. With registered teams £219,420 was 4,140 “All officials, coaches, volunteers, into equipment for the kids invested directly into and 62,293 players, it is the biggest organisation affiliated to the parents and players associated and will contribute to making with Troon Thistle YFC wish sure they continue to enjoy the SYFA to cover Scottish FA. The SYFA cover age-groups up to and including Under- to express our grateful thanks playing football. Our teams, Covid-19 Support for the affiliation fees of 21s with their clubs and leagues run by volunteers. Their mission to Mr James Anderson for his parents, coaches, volunteers SJFA + SHFL 1,865 teams playing is to increase the number of children and young people playing very generous donation to and committee send a hearty 11 v 11 format of the youth football which allows for thank you. Our final piece of Covid-19 organised, quality football. a saving to the club of our SYFA related support for Scottish game and 2,275 “Mr James Anderson fees thereby allowing those Football this year was an teams playing the demonstrated that he really To achieve this the SYFA’s organisational savings to be used directly for investment of £20,000 small-sided version Impact of COVID-19 understands how important objectives include removing barriers to the benefit of the players during in The Scottish Junior FA of the game. Every our game is to the Scottish play, advocating respect and inclusivity and Scottish Youth FA operational costs are the current pandemic. (62 clubs) and The Scottish psyche. Thank you, Mr team will benefit from creating a safe, fun environment for players in mainly covered by membership fees from Highland Football League (18 a reduced cost to Scotland. Over the past two years, the SYFA affiliated members. But the pandemic has hit “I cannot express enough just Anderson, from all at Dunipace clubs) to assist with mitigation measures for the participate over the has led the way by investing in their Child grassroots clubs, threatening the long-term how much your donation to the F.C. safe return of football. sustainability of both individual teams and SYFA has helped teams in our next 12 months. Wellbeing and Protection provisions. The “On behalf of Blantyre Celtic Raymond Cardno, the SHFL President, said: the organisation itself. While clubs may have club” - Polbeth United CFC benefit to the children and young people YFC, I would like to say thanks “This is great news for the Highland League survived in the short term, there was concern £50,000 set up in a under their jurisdiction is immeasurable. “Buckie Thistle Football from all the kids and coaches and gives clubs important support at a time over the increased costs facing them when Sports First Aid strand However, implementing these measures has Development and our from our club. The kindness when there is much work to do to get ready for football returned. These included cleaning, placed increased financial pressure on the 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & you have shown here is matches starting again. We are hugely grateful that will support increased facility hire costs, additional SYFA. 2014 teams would like to remarkable at a time where to the Scottish Football Partnership which has training for 1,000 equipment including PPE, hand sanitisers, thank Mr Anderson for his everyone within the grassroots again demonstrated its support for all levels of SYFA Coach volunteers enhanced medical kits and football specific donation which will cover community needs it. the game” starting in 2021. items. The SYFA’s biggest fear was it could club registration fees. During “Craigmark Youth Club would lead to a drop-off in the number of children a year where our registration Felix McKenna, SJFA President, added: like to thank Mr. Anderson for £50,000 and young people playing football in numbers are down and no “Given the difficult times we are all currently his amazingly kind gesture. Scotland. fundraising has been done, this experiencing, the Scottish Junior FA is delighted which includes an What a tough year we have gesture is a big help to a club with the financial support awarded by the investment from all had and I am sure I speak from a small town like ours. Scottish Football Partnership to help put in place SFP Trust Funds of on behalf of everyone when I Support from James Anderson Thank you very much. Covid-19 mitigation measures. The funding £6,920 set up in say this.... our kids have had will be used for the supply of automated hand The Scottish Youth FA contacted the a Coach Education “On behalf of Riverside FC, our it rough in regard to how sanitisers, etc. which will help make our facilities Scottish Football Partnership Trust in July strand that will wee community football club the pandemic has affected safer for players, officials and hopefully, not 2020 to facilitate discussions and possible in Stirling, thank you sincerely the game and training. It will before too long, spectators. The support of support 1,000 SYFA investment from James Anderson. Positive for the incredibly generous gift have hit a lot of clubs hard the Scottish Football Partnership in such an Coach Volunteers to dialogue followed with Mr. Anderson keen to of paying our SYFA fees for this financially, so this kind gesture important way is greatly welcomed. They engage on Scottish support the youth level of the game with a coming year. This has allowed has restored my faith in continue their support of football at a time when FA approved training subsequent figure of £312,500, including our teams to put funds back humanity a little bit more. it is most needed at all levels of the game”. starting in 2021. Gift-Aid, for SYFA teams and their volunteers.

6 7 The Scottish Football Partnership holds a unique position in Scotland – we are the only funder with a specific strand set up to £191,274 assist Scottish FA Member Clubs meet the Invested into requirements of National Club Licensing. Senior Club Infrastructure Supporting Senior Club projects Infrastructure Projects

Facility Awards are granted by The Scottish Football Partnership to Clubs supported in 2020 Senior clubs for infrastructure improvements at their stadia to help meet the requirements of Scottish FA Club Licensing and ground safety A word of thanks from criteria. Aspiring Scottish FA Member clubs are also eligible for funding the clubs… for projects via our General Funding strand which can assist these clubs in their quest to become full Members of the Scottish F.A. This year 35 “We are extremely thankful to clubs received infrastructure support for a range of projects including the Football Partnership for the assistance we have been upgrades to Floodlight Systems, Ground Entry Systems, provided with over the years in Seated Stands, CCTV Systems, Covered Spectator getting ground infrastructure Areas, Electrical Safety Compliance, Accessible projects from the planning stage Facilities, Spectator Toilets, Match Control Rooms, to completion. Iain Dougan, Chairman, Stranraer F.C. Specialist Pitch Drainage Systems and Player/ Match “On behalf of Stenhousemuir Official Changing Rooms. Football Club I wish to place on record our deep gratitude to The Funding in Focus at Scottish Football Partnership for supporting our seat replacement Athletic F.C. project in the Norway Stand. It was a huge undertaking and Board of DAFC decided that work should a very expensive project but a be done to replace broken floodlight vitally important one as we look lamps and clean the others. Remedial to modernise the club and ground. work on the East End Park floodlights Without the support from the had not been carried out for several Football Partnership, it simply years. The project involved the purchase would not have been possible for of special bulbs and assistance from the project to take place. These electrical experts able to operate at height. types of grants are a lifeline to With the welcome support of The Scottish clubs”. Jamie Swinney, Chief Dunfermline Athletic F.C. recently Football Partnership, the club bought and Executive, Stenhousemuir F.C. upgraded their floodlights at East End installed over 50 new floodlight bulbs and Park. The ‘Key Infrastructure’ project cleaned and repaired the others – a total represented a facility investment value of of 128 bulb units across the four pylons. , with awarded From top: Upgraded Seating at £37,000 £12,500 The work was carried out in the first to the club by the SFP in grant funding. , Clubhouse Upgrade week of October and the floodlights were at Newton Stewart F.C, CCTV Upgrade In addition, 8 East of Scotland League clubs Pars Chairman Ross McArthur said: used successfully during the club’s match at Raith Rovers F.C, New Lights received funding for Defibrillators “Following a floodlight test, as part of (broadcast live on Premier Sports) against and Scottish FA Membership at DAFC’s Scottish FA Club Licence audit, the Falkirk F.C on 9th October.” Haddington Athletic F.C.

8 9 #SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS Case Study #INCREASING REVENUE Deveronvale#IMPROVING C.F.C COMMUNICATION Number of Teams 17 Number#ENHANCING of Players 338 GOVERNANCE Projects Supported by Functional Impact of Club Management System

FINANCE Financial processes have PRODUCTIVITY Productivity has Grassroots Club Support been simplified with a reduction of increased as the system is exciting, and around 12 hours per month on our it engages with everyone at our club in a treasurers’ time. The club’s financial more dynamic and less time-consuming information is now available 24/7 and way which is particularly important both at the touch of a button without the from a consumer and an administrative need to sift through bank statements. perspective. Additionally, the process for stopping COMMUNICATION The and then restarting monthly fee communication functionality is excellent 2020 Defibrillator collection through the Covid-19 period and whether it is a quick message Project – £11,808 was made straightforward thanks to or a club news story with a click of a Club IT & MCH. button the communications goes out Investment Fund REVENUE Club Revenue had to everyone at the club. The system #Safeguarding Clubs #SaferSport Sustainability Increased by 30% before Covid-19 can also be used and tailored for #Safeguarding Communities Initiative – with the system providing real-time communication to individual age groups information on who has paid and who or coaches or parents. Organising player Following the successful pilot scheme in 2019 where £10,000 had not paid monthly fees. availability for matches and training has been simplified, too, as invites are Club Development 12 Community clubs were provided with a lifesaving DATA The platform is excellent for Investment sent, and notifications received on Defibrillator, a further 9 clubs have been supported so storing and sharing club documents Grant Scheme attendances. far this year, with another 3 to be supported shortly. Fund which can be both open to all our - £24,000 This type of investment is absolutely vital with more and members as well as being restricted DIGITAL CAPABILITY This is very 020 #Supporting Volunteers 20 more clubs becoming community facility providers – the where applicable. good in terms of our website, sharing Investment Fund #Increasing Revenue posting on social media and adding initiative complements our investment in Sports First Aid COMPLIANCE Registration with #Improving Communication fixtures, score lines, events, fundraising, Direct investment in Grassroots clubs continued in 2020 through our training for club coaches through our partnership with the club has been simplified as has news stories to a platform which strategic delivery partnership with The Scottish FA’s Regional Football The Hampden Sports Clinic. #Enhancing Governance our ability to provide new and existing interacts with our club members and our Development staff. The targeted approach of our Club Development At the start of 2020 we introduced a Club members with our Code of conduct and the clubs constitution. Wellbeing community. framework has so far seen 38 of the planned 48 Quality Mark This year’s Stats … IT and Sustainability funding strand for 20 Guidance and now Covid-19 guidance WEBSITE accredited clubs receiving grants of £500 and an overall investment Quality-Mark accredited community clubs Safeguarding has been easier to prepare and share www.deveronvalecfc.co.uk – All of £19,000 in clubs to enhance inclusive community-based to use technology to grow and develop. 3,098 Club Members with players and parents who were able communication as above links to the participation and support their volunteers. 8,100 Weekly Community Users Grants of £500 have been made to to simply tick a box to confirm they have website too. 10 community clubs so far to part-fund received, read and understood these the start-up costs of web-based club guidelines. This function has saved the 21 new teams created (13 40 club coaches were management systems to help clubs with club time and money as in the past this PRODUCT EVALUATION boys) and (8 girls) with supported through Covid process would have involved having to day-to-day administration. All the clubs 430 new players brought training have forms printed, signed and then 1=poor 5=excellent into the game have opted for a new platform designed 1 club invested in para collected. System Design in Scotland called MY CLUB HUB and early 5 1,466 young players training for coaches and The feedback has been very positive. It’s made a HUMAN RESOURCES Value for money 5 benefiting from enhanced started an Autism friendly system has eliminated the time required real difference in administration, efficiency training kit and equipment participation group to respond to questions and information Ease of use 5 and information-sharing among clubs, requests from the committee and 103 club volunteers 1 club invested in especially due to the challenges posed by Advocacy from within club 5 supported through coach education for coaches on coaches as documentation is accessible the Covid lockdown, the return to football Service Experience 5 education Mental Health awareness instantly at the touch of a button. and the adoption of protocols at club level. and Disability Inclusion Historically this type of information, Level of club impact 5 4 clubs invested in new which could include medical and small-sided goalposts 1 club developed a contact details, would have been stored supporting activity for family participation group at one of our club officials houses WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? 448 players for children lacking in making it more time consuming to confidence and those with access which is not a good situation in “We would recommend to any club” disabilities the case of an emergency. Kevin Stewart, Deveronvale CFC

10 11 Thanks to our partnership with the Scottish FA, sportscotland, Scottish Women’s Football (SWF), and Hey Girls, 300 girls’ and women’s teams across Scotland will be provided with Grassroots Club 110,000 free sanitary products during 2020/21 helping to change the landscape of Infrastructure Projects period dignity within Scotland.

Wasp Community New Clubhouse Club – Modular Changing Rooms

Wasp Community club are the latest grassroots organisation to receive a set of our ever-popular modular changing rooms. In March 2020, the club approached The Scottish Football Partnership for support with infrastructure for their ever- increasing membership. The Wasps, who work closely with Pitch Upgrades Alloa Athletic F.C., are based at the Indodrill Stadium and currently work with around 300 children ranging in age from 4-16. This initiative was all about supporting the growth in participation at the club within a community setting. The SFP Board was keen to back the project with an investment of over £30,000 in Community Club infrastructure. “In what has been an extremely difficult few months for the Training Floodlights whole of football, AAFC are extremely grateful for the help given by the Scottish Football Partnership to the Wasps in providing additional changing facilities in the ground. Not only has this allowed the Club to meet the varied demands of Covid-19 security but it has also left a legacy which can be utilised by the Club in the years to come. Our Wasp Community Club has been able to get kids enjoying their football again, and whilst we’re not yet quite back to a full schedule, it has been New Goalposts obvious from the reaction of both players and parents that any return to play has been extremely welcome. It is precisely in this kind of situation that assistance from the SFP can prove to be critical in getting things done and we very much appreciate their help”. Mike Mulraney, Chairman, Alloa Athletic F.C.

Delivering in 2021 Our work this year assisting Grassroots In September we were approached by an anonymous donor football and its volunteer club leaders and who was keen to support the Development of the Girls’ and “10 years of working with various organisations has coaches continued with a further 365 Women’s Programme and Academy Infrastructure at Celtic F.C. supported in specialised Sports First Aid helped us to be awarded much needed changing This led to a subsequent donation and an investment of Training delivered by our partners at The facilities from the SFP to assist us in our continued £29,750 being made to the club. work in our local community. We are delighted” Hampden Sports Clinic. #Growing the Game Jim Simonetti, Jimmy Johnstone Charitable Trust #Supporting Volunteers

12 13 Special Feature GET FIT, #INCLUSIVE GET HEALTHY... #COMMUNITY FOOTBALL #TACKLING FOOD INEQUALITY HAVE FUN #SUPPORTING CHILDREN ® Left Back in My Room: #GoFitba Project A Grassroots Footballer – Changing Lives in Lockdown By Tommy Pia Through Sport

It’s roughly two months since I kicked a football, but it feels somebody’s legs, outjumping a defender so you’re first to a GoFitba Key Stats like much longer. I’d been playing three times a week: back-to- header: the list is endless. Football combines physicality, skill for 2020 back sessions at the university sports complex on Tuesdays and mental acuity unlike any other sport and the rush of and Wednesdays and a game of 5s at Glasgow Soccer World endorphins after “putting in a shift” is powerful enough to on Thursdays. My flatmate and I had also begun to investigate numb any number of kicks you might’ve taken during the game, 448 joining a Saturday league team, which may seem excessive at least until the following morning. It teaches you how to be a considering how much I was already playing, but football had team player, but also rewards individual moments of brilliance Participants become an essential lifeline during lockdown. Haring after a and, while the journey home might be a bit awkward if you gave ball for an hour or so, a few days a week, was a particularly the driver’s team a gubbing, it unites people, creating bonds of The GoFitba project looked forward to 2020 had a holiday spin-off of the project planned effective way to relieve the “cabin fever” that quickly set in a friendship and shared stories that will last a lifetime. Finally, it as its biggest year so far harnessing the at 12 clubs. This new version of the project 2,369 couple of weeks after term started; it was also one of the few is one of the few sporting activities that I know will knock me positive power of football to engage with would see children attend a 10-session period Individual opportunities I got to meet and socialise with other students, out in the evenings, ensuring I get to bed early and wake up socially disadvantaged children in an inclusive over the summer holidays where they would since all my lectures and tutorials have been online this term feeling refreshed, which is particularly important nowadays Hours of community setting. GoFitba has a holistic receive breakfast and lunch tackling holiday and the regular student haunts – the union, cafes, bars and since lockdown has had a negative impact upon many people’s clubs – have all been closed. sleeping patterns. approach taking the young participants on hunger which became a nationwide issue Activity a journey of fun football activity improving later in the year thanks to Marcus Rashford. When it looked as if a stricter lockdown was going to be For all those reasons, I’m looking forward to football’s eventual their motor skills, fitness levels, confidence Unfortunately, just as projects were about reintroduced around mid-October, my team-mates and I were return. I know it’ll make life that little bit easier to endure, even and ability to work as a team. The second resigned to the loss, but we didn’t fully appreciate just how if we still can’t properly socialise or see our family, since, while to start in March, the country went into 4,199 component of the project provides a bespoke much we’d miss a kick-about until a few weeks had passed. watching the pros is entertaining, I think the most significant lockdown and our GoFitba activities had to Healthy and fun health education syllabus for the I was finding it much harder to concentrate on my studies impact football can have on the lives of everyday fans, is in be put on pause. Football and community Meals children to learn about the benefits of a and motivate myself through a week without the promise of the playing of it. It’s one of the cheapest, most accessible clubs however have really demonstrated healthy and balanced diet. To finish off each Served football to look forward to, and in our group chats most of sports there is – all you need is a local park, a ball and some how much good they can do in their session healthy, nutritious food is provided the lads agreed that they were feeling a lot lonelier without jumpers for goalposts – and around this time of year, more or communities, particularly in a time of crisis. the regular social interaction, particularly those who lived less a century ago, it even brought British and German troops for each participant to address the issue of To that end, 5 of our original partner clubs One of our biggest alone, and were struggling to keep fit, since solo runs through together for a brief moment of unity in the trenches. Obviously, food inequality facing many of these children. were able to use innovative and COVID-safe partners The UEFA a pitch black Kelvingrove Park couldn’t compare to the 3G and ensuring the r-number is low and the pandemic is under So back to our best laid plans for the year! ways to resume activity in September with Foundation for floodlights out at the Garscube San Siro. control must be the priority, but with the right safety measures Children chose to in place – one-way access to pitches, regularly cleaning balls With the support of our incredible funders 3 of the clubs opting to support children I’ve been forced to fall back on a weekly tennis game in the highlight the impact and goalposts, ensuring players use hand sanitiser before and and the community clubs who really drive in their communities over holiday periods. meantime, but in some ways, this has just made me miss of the GoFitba after matches – football can provide young people with the the project forward we had 20 of our The GoFitba holiday sessions that were football more: a tearing sprint down the line culminating Project for children in opportunity to socialise safely, keep fit and - most importantly - traditional 12-week GoFitba projects all set to planned through our new Scottish FA in a ball whipped into the box, threading a pass through have fun. be delivered throughout the year across all and Cashback partnership for Scotland

parts of Scotland. In between, thanks to an ® July and August were also GoFitba: Scotland’s exciting new partnership with the Scottish able to be delivered in the community clubs FA and Cashback for Communities we also October school holidays. Our Give For Grassroots Appeal is backed by Scotland tackling child poverty Captain Andy Robertson and in 2021 we will be thanks to the UEFA supporting kids facing financial hardship so that they GoFitba will be back in 2021 when our remaining planned projects will be delivered….. Foundation | Inside can continue to participate. and there will be some new ones too!! Special thanks to all our funding partners. UEFA | UEFA.com It’s not too late to donate virginmoneygiving.com/fund/GiveforGrassroots

14 15 Shared Access and The Scottish Football Partnership Trust Map Out the Future of Scotland’s Connectivity Path

Success of Scottish football club investment scheme excited to be part of something that is now has the potential to aid the development of wireless going to bring real benefits to clubs and communities in Scotland as we move connectivity in Scotland. into 2021.

The Scottish Football Partnership Trust on-site facilities such as floodlighting, Sam Jackman, Chief Development continues to innovate and look for pitches, changing rooms, equipment or Officer at Shared Access, said: “Our opportunities to bring much needed even just receive a capital sum. In return strategy has always been focused on finance and support into Scottish for the investment, Shared Access investing in grassroots sports. This year has highlighted this fact more than any Football. One such opportunity arose would install their technology onto year previously with the world of sport in September 2020 when the SFP Trust the club’s existing structures such as devastated by the continued impact of formed a partnership with Shared floodlights, stands or pavilions. Access, the wireless operator. Covid-19 measures and restrictions. Whilst With so many sites now registered to the the scheme primarily aims to invest in The innovative scheme offers clubs at scheme, the infrastructure opportunity Scottish sports clubs, it also broadens all levels, who register their location, in Scotland has increased even further. the infrastructure options available to the chance to upgrade their facilities by Many locations are in rural areas, run in MNOs as the development of wireless allowing the wireless operator to install partnership with the local authorities, connectivity gathers pace in Scotland.” their technology on their premises in so the potential for infrastructure return for capital investment. investment in these areas has greatly We are pleased to announce that So far more than 250 clubs have increased due to the SFP Trust’s registered to host infrastructure on club partnership with Shared Access. the first Club playing in Scotland property – adding to a database now in has been identified for investment The SFP Trust has been hugely through our Partnership with excess of 500 Scottish clubs. encouraged by the response so far, Shared Access with discussions Following the success of a similar particularly as our partnership with ongoing over an initial investment scheme in England, Ireland and Wales, Shared Access provides a viable funding fee of £22,500 the SFP Trust and Shared Access believe option for clubs at a time when football the level of investment in Scotland at every level faces financial challenges could reach £5m over the next in sustaining, enhancing and improving Clubs or organisations keen to 5 years. Much will depend on interest facilities. It is critical for the long-term learn more about the funding from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) health of football, and Scotland in scheme should visit and the speed in which 5G is rolled out. general, that we find innovative ways to thescottishfootballpartnership. Meantime individual clubs with a bring investment into grassroots sport. com/shared-access/ suitable location – from grassroots to Shared Access has a tried and tested to register their interest and site professional – will be able to upgrade model for helping clubs and we are location.

If you would like to see more of what the Or contact us at: Scottish Football Partnership are up to, The Scottish Football Partnership or to apply for your own funding, please , Greenhill Road, visit us online at Paisley PA3 1RU thescottishfootballpartnership.com Telephone: 0141 887 3863  @SFP_football  Like us on Facebook [email protected] 16