Cash drive to get more girls on the ball

Published on Tuesday 30 September 2008 09:54

A NEW drive to encourage more girls to play, coach and volunteer for football was unveiled today.

A total of 297,000 is being made available over the next three years under the latest CashBack for Communities initiative to establish links between Scotland's 12 women's premier league clubs and local schools, provide equipment and put on roadshows.

The move follows an agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish FA.

Today, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited Edinburgh club Spartans to launch the scheme, where he met national team players Shelley Kerr and Joanna Hutcheson, who play for Spartans.

Shelley said: "The experience of being part of a team is invaluable for young people, and it definitely shaped my life. I think it's crucial that girls are given as many opportunities as possible to play football, to develop their talent, to learn about teamwork, and to learn good habits for life."

Mr MacAskill said girls' and women's football was the fastest growing sport in the world with around 27,000 Scots females already playing the national game.

He said: "Football can play a big part in diverting young people from getting involved in crime and antisocial behaviour."