Youth work highlighted during Trust visit
Angus North & Mearns MSP Dawn Black met recently with coaching staff at Forfar Community Football Trust (FCFT) to find out more about its youth work.
She also met with representatives from the Scottish FA to discuss the trust’s holiday programme, funded by Scottish Gas.
This is the second time FCFT has offered places to underprivileged children. They began the program in the Easter holidays and have been running the camp throughout the summer.
The camp runs at a local primary school rather than the Forfar Athletic training grounds, making it more accessible for the children who would struggle to get there.
The youngsters are also provided with water and snacks throughout the day. Through work done by the Angus Active Schools team, the trust selects children who are impacted by poverty and offer them the opportunity to take part in the football camps.
The group also discussed the Scottish FA’s work to give back to communities and the research being carried out on health in sports.
The FCFT is one of the clubs to receive funding through the Scottish Government’s Summer of Sport grants scheme.
Strathmore Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Rugby Club, Forfar Sailing Club, Brechin Community Football Club, Brechin Buccaneers and Angus Disability have also received support.
Ms Black said: “Seeing the great work that the team have done to make sure there are accessible pathways for everyone to get involved in sports is important to me.
“The Scottish Government has and always will operate on an ethos that a person’s financial background shouldn’t define the opportunities they have access to.
“Taking part in sports is an important part of a child’s development. They are honing skills like teamwork, agility, confidence building and finding a sense of belonging in their community.”
A trust spokesperson added: “It’s fantastic to have support from Scottish Gas to help provide free summer camps. Initiatives like this make a real difference, giving young people the chance to make new friends, try new activities and create some brilliant summer memories.”