PICTURES: SFA and McDonald's launch Fun Football across the Highlands and Moray
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Thousands of children from across the Highlands and Moray are expected to benefit from free football sessions thanks to a new initiative kicking off in the region.
The project is an expansion of McDonald’s and the Scottish FA national ‘Fun Football’ programme which aims to provide over 10 million hours of football opportunities to over one million kids by 2026.
The programme includes 49 free football events and festivals per year which will benefit thousands of local children in the region, thanks to a collaboration between two Highland-based McDonald’s franchisees and the Scottish FA.
Girls and boys of all abilities will now be given access to the sport, removing any cost barrier involved in taking part.
McDonald’s franchisees Craig Duncan and Iain Fyfe have pledged £40,000 over the next two years to ensure young people have free access to the fortnightly events and monthly festivals.
Hundreds of children turned out at Bught Park in the Highland capital over the weekend for the launch event with more events coming soon.
Mr Duncan, who has franchises across the north, said: “The idea is that these fun festivals continue for the next two years so we clubbed together to put some money in to make sure that they can.
“We see them as a real positive for kids of all ages and all sizes and so on to be able to come and get some free football.
“There will be 49 events across the Highlands and Moray over the next year and then the same the year after.”
Mr Fyfe, a Nairn based McDonald's franchisee, said: “It's just something that myself and Craig have been speaking about over the last couple of months and how we can further enhance the McDonald's Fun Football programme that's already been in place.
“We saw this as a great opportunity just to get boys and girls out of their homes off their consoles and on the football pitch on a Saturday morning.
“That was the real driver for the project.”
The programme is for primary school-aged children and includes a flagship event in April at the Caledonian Stadium, complete with inflatables.
McDonald’s Fun Football aims to increase participation opportunities for kids, create stronger club links, develop a volunteer workforce, and provide a fun and safe environment.
The plan has already been backed by Inverness-born footballer Ryan Christie, who has 35 caps for the Scotland.
Graeme Sutherland, regional manager for the north at the Scottish FA, added: “Its fantastic news that McDonalds has agreed to support this programme across the Highlands and Moray.
“Both Craig and Iain really understand how important community football and events such as this are, and to be able to ensure this is offered at zero cost is excellent.
“We look forward to developing our longstanding partnership and benefitting thousands of children across the north.”
