Ayrshire club Troon Thistle are another who have recently benefitted from the award of SFP changing containers.
The club were in desperate need of changing facilities and toilets. They would regularly have hundreds of children and their families accessing their pitches but there was a lack of basic infrastructure to accommodate training in the winter months. John Brown from the SYFA told the club that there might be a chance to obtain units from the SFP, a result of which saw them complete an application.
“ Players, parents, coaches and local residents see this as a great step forward in the area.”
The upgrade has made a tremendous difference to the club and to Struthers Primary School, where the units are based. The school previously had problems with pupils having access to changing facilities for extra-curricular sports but now many of these problems have been solved. Troon Thistle also share the facilities with local youth clubs so that the wider community can enjoy the benefit.
The award has been a catalyst for many changes in the area, with the local council taking note of what the club are capable of delivering to local young people. As a result, they are now working with Troon Thistle to create a sports ‘hub’ in the town, which will bring all local teams together under the same banner.
Players, parents, coaches and local residents see this as a great step forward in the area and it has helped the club greatly with player retention.
George Grant, Troon Thistle: “We are extremely grateful to have been awarded the new facilities as we previously had no base or home. We also lacked shelter for the children during the winter months. Previously all we had was our ancient, leaky storage container which we scrapped off when the new units arrived on site.”