Our 2022 Club Development initiative was launched earlier in the year thanks once again to funding from our long-standing partner, The Kilpatrick Fraser Charitable Trust. The SFP Trust is committed to supporting and promoting inclusive football participation at grassroots level throughout Scotland and this initiative aims to invest in the development and growth of 60 Scottish FA Quality Mark Clubs, with a focus on increasing and enhancing participation opportunities for players and the continued development of volunteers.
Irvine Meadow Youth F.C., a Bronze Level Quality Mark Club from the Scottish FA South-West Region were the latest organisation to benefit from the scheme. This vibrant club provides opportunities to participate in football for over 200 children within Irvine and the surrounding areas. The fantastic work done by the club is only possible due to the dedication of their 60+ volunteers that give up so much of their own time, not only to organise and run training sessions and matches, but for coach development in order to provide the best possible outcomes for the children. The club believes that education is a fundamental requirement of what they do and with a commitment to continuous development, they opted to use their Club Development Grant to offer a range of further training opportunities to their volunteer coaches in the form of SFA accredited coaching courses and essential first aid training.
Linzi, a committee member from the club commented “We are extremely grateful to be the recipients of this Club Development Grant. These funds will allow our club to offer our dedicated coaching volunteers further training opportunities, taking away the burden of self-funding personal development and providing them with the support needed to continue their focus on bringing the best out in all of our youth players.”
