A local community football club in Cupar was blessed with sunshine for the official opening of their new changing and storage facility at Lady Inch on Sunday. From fun four a side pitches for 5, 6 and 7 year olds, five a side pitches for the older primary age groups and seven a side for the secondary school sides, the setting was perfect for the exhibition of talent on show.
Boys and girls teams from Cupar Soccer Sevens, Cupar Colts and Violet Girls enjoyed training and friendly matches before proceedings started at midday. Head Coach, Pete Beaver, gave a brief history of the club’s reclamation of the former school athletics field which had been allocated for housing. He pointed out that having hosted teams from as far as Aberfeldy and Forfar, it was an embarrassment to ask them to change at the side of the pitch and have to walk to the Sports Centre to use the toilet.
Pete introduced former professional Stuart McCaffrey, whose career with various clubs including Inverness, St Johnstone and Hibs, ended prematurely with injury, but who now works for the Scottish Football Partnership. Stuart told the audience how important it was to be able to provide good facilities so that players could flourish. The club spent over £11,000 on the facility with the SFP providing the fully kitted out changing containers, architects services and £5,000 towards groundwork’s. In real terms the project equates to an investment of around £40,000 in grassroots football.
Liz Anderson, the new Scotland under 15 Girls’ coach, who also coaches the clubs’ girls and is player manager of the 1st XI, spoke about the link up between Cupar Violet Girls and East Fife Ladies and how the player pathway has benefitted both clubs. Liz and Honorary President, Dod Player, then cut the ribbon to rapturous applause.
Cupar Soccer Sevens, Colts and East Fife Violet would like to thanks all those who give up their free time to coach and also to those in the background, whose hard work made this superb facility a reality.
The club, now in it’s 15th year, are always keen to welcome new members to what is a friendly, low cost and inclusive, family orientated environment staffed entirely by volunteers. Please contact Pete Beaver 07876 225083.
