Scottish League Cup Funding

30th August 2013

Support for football clubs to help create healthier and smarter Scotland.

Football clubs will help get people more active and give young people new skills through new support for the Scottish League Cup.

The Scottish Government is making available £650,000 which will help clubs within the Scottish Professional Football League:

create new opportunities for people to participate in sport and physical activity;
become Community Sport Hubs that provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations;
continue with youth employment and training initiatives.

This package builds on Scottish Government support for the League Cup last season that saw 4,000 new opportunities to participate in football, 300 people taking part in employability activities and stronger links to Active Schools programmes.

Speaking after the Third round draw of the Scottish Football League Cup at Easter Road, Sport Minister Shona Robison said:“Football clubs do so much in their communities, from inspiring young people with positive role models to giving adults the support and facilities to get active. And with football now the top team sport for girls, the League Cup is an ideal way for clubs to welcome more people into the football family.

“So our support will help clubs expand their community engagement programmes to get even more people of all ages involved, whether by playing football, using club facilities to get active or giving young people new skills.”

Billy Singh, Scottish Professional Football League Trust said:“Last season, the financial support from the Scottish Government helped all 42 SPFL clubs to engage more deeply with their local communities. The SPFL Trust and the clubs play a vital role in using the incredible power of football to make a real difference to the lives of so many people.”

Examples of SPFL Trust projects from last year include.

Football Fans in Training: Aimed at men aged between 35-65, this is a 12 week physical activity and healthy eating programme designed to help men get fitter and lose weight, and to maintain these changes in the long term.
Still Game: Project specifically aimed at older people to promote health and well-being, with on physical activity sessions and education on healthy eating or mental health.
Music Box: Free music sessions to 10-16 year olds on a weekly basis across 14 different SPFL clubs