This year, the SFP Trust in partnership with 20 community football clubs throughout Scotland, have been delivering our fantastic community outreach project Fitba First. 12 projects have already been delivered over the Easter and summer holiday periods and during October, the last 8 projects will take place.
The SFP Trust was inspired to introduce Fitba First in 2022 following the near tragic events at Euro 2020 when the Danish player, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch with a cardiac arrest. This was a traumatic event for all those watching, especially children, and the SFP Trust was motivated to try and equip young people in Scotland with life-saving skills that would stay with them throughout their lives. In tandem with providing Sports First Aid, the Trust was determined to continue its efforts to provide free football sessions, nutritional education around healthy eating and free meals for 600 children across Scotland during school holiday periods. Fitba First was one of only 67 projects from 1,227 shortlisted entries from across the world to receive funding from the UEFA Foundation for Children. Trained tutors from the Hampden Sports Clinic have helped deliver the First Aid sessions with the youngsters taking part in interactive sessions. Topics have included the use of a defibrillator, how to stay safe and calm in an emergency and how to administer basic first aid with the project aiming to maximise the knowledge and health prospects of the next generation.
Here you can see some pictures of the youngsters from Motherwell F.C. Community Trust enjoying themselves on day 1 of the project. Projects will also take place this month at Pollok, St. Mirren, Park Sports Projects, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Falkirk and Annan. We are indebted to these clubs for their fantastic efforts and also to the trained tutors from the Hampden Sports Clinic led by Dr. Katy Stewart who have taught and inspired these youngsters to have the confidence to administer their newly acquired first aid skills.
