Over £5 million investment in Glasgow grassroots football
The funding will go towards upgrading football pitches across Glasgow. Credit: Pexels
14 projects in Glasgow and 40 projects in total in Scotland are receiving a share of £6 million that will be invested in new and upgraded pitches, floodlights and goalposts.
The City Charitable Trust received £2.36m in funding as a contribution towards its £4.7m project at Lochinch, Pollok Park. Here, upgrades will be completed on an artificial pitch and a grass pitch.
Glasgow City Council received a grant of £45,000 for new floodlights at Knightswood Secondary School and St Rochs.
Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, Rangers Charity Foundation and Castlemilk Community Football Trust have also received significant funding.
Scottish FA President, Mike Mulraney, said: “One of the priorities for the Scottish FA is ensuring that local communities across the nation have access to facilities, so it is wonderful to see the UK Government’s commitment to investing in our national game through the Scottish FA’s Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund.
“This investment will provide opportunities for a number of fantastic community clubs across the country such as Glasgow Girls and Women FDC and will play an important role in further developing the vitally important role that these clubs offer within their local areas,” he added.
The UK Government recently published its sport strategy to encourage 2.5 million more adults and an additional 1 million children to meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults and 60 minutes per day for young people by 2030.
The investment forms part of the major UK Government funding in grassroots facilities which is worth over £400 million. The initiative includes multisport pitches, tennis courts and swimming pools.
Another club to receive the funding boost is Glasgow Girls and Women FC who has received £620,000 towards their new artificial grass pitch.
Following the announcement, Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports, visited Glasgow Girls and Women FC in Springboig, Glasgow.
Malcolm Offord said: “It was amazing to see the work done by the coaches, the SFA and the charity trustees at Glasgow Girls and Women FC. We are so proud to support facilities like these.
“The achievements of Scotland’s men’s and women’s football teams are in no small part down to the dedication of those at grassroots level. Providing high-quality facilities the length and breadth of Scotland that are accessible to all is vital.”
Since 2021, the UK Government has delivered 40 projects across Scotland through £4 million of funding. At least 50% of this investment has been spent in the most deprived local authorities.
UK Government Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew, said: “Sport and physical activity is vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.
“We know that one of the major barriers in getting active is access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are delivering 40 new projects in Scotland.”
A full list of the facilities in Scotland to benefit from the funding is available on the Government website.
