Queen’s Park F.C. intend to utilise the SFP Community award to develop and expand upon their existing children’s community football programme.
Entry to the club’s football activities is currently open to children from the age of four, regardless of ability or gender, when they are introduced to football activity as well as basic motor skills, physical literacy in a fun environment and this pathway continues right through to the older age groups.
To enhance this, the club want to develop their team structure whereby the children can learn through playing in a team format with participation in a weekly games programme.
The club currently have three boys’ teams running successfully and will expand this to five teams and establish two girls’ teams. Each team will comprise of a squad of 10 players. The boys’ teams will feature ages 2007 and 2008 and the girls at under-9 and under-11 level, expanding participating numbers from 30 to 50 boys with 20 new girls playing football. It is the club’s intention to recruit players from within their current community programme and to lead a recruitment drive within their catchment area starting in January, 2016. As well as recruiting players, new coaches will be introduced and the club will fund coaching courses as well as upskilling the current group of coaches in preparation of leading these new teams. The aim is to develop and establish the teams in readiness to participate in competitive games in the Glasgow and District Youth League from March, 2016.
George Watson, Head of Community at the club said “Our aim is to increase participating numbers of boys and girls playing football as well as extending the number of families visiting our club. We hope to further enhance our player pathway with options for players to progress through the community team age groups and have the opportunity to continue their football development with Queen’s Park F.C. for the long-term.”