The funding from the SFP Community Initiative will support St. Johnstone F.C., in conjunction with Scottish FA Club Development and Active Schools in the delivery of a new programme, mainly for girls under the age of nine. The club will deliver a minimum of two taster sessions in each of 12 local schools, signposting both girls and boys to club training and also St. Johnstone community football sessions. A series of 30 weekly fun sessions for girls at each of the three participating clubs, i.e. Scone Thistle, Bridge of Earn and Blairgowrie will be held and 15 fun-four or 5-a-side Festivals will be played at McDiarmid Park. In addition to this, 2 transition workshops for each of the three clubs will be held and there will be coach education support for six new parent volunteers. Atholl Henderson, Head of Community at the club said “The first priority for the club is to be actively involved in the development of local players and we hope that this project will increase participation for girls under the age of nine. We are looking at delivering over 100 new fun, healthy and rewarding sessions to these young footballers which in turn should create a clear pathway from grassroots football towards seven-a-side games. This will see St. Johnstone F.C provide a positive experience for upwards of 300 local youngsters and will establish better links between the club and local football clubs and schools.”