Three local clubs from the Scottish FA Central Region have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.

At a special awards day at Falkirk Football Club, the clubs were presented with their Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards by Alex Totten of Falkirk F.C and Elliot Jardine from McDonalds.

The following clubs received their awards: Seafar Villa, Gairdoch United F.C and Castleview F.C

The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation. There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community.

Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning. So far more than 100 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.

SportCentral/Scottish FA Football Development Manager Alan Morgan added:

‘I am delighted that both Gairdoch and Castleview have been awarded for all the hard work that has gone into achieving the award.  This will hopefully ensure they continue to develop as a club’

McDonald’s, official partner of the Scottish FA Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, will invest £100,000 in the scheme over three years as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots football in Scotland . The scheme is part of McDonald’s long-standing partnership with the Scottish FA, which has also helped to create over 1,400 community coaches across Scotland since 2002.

Through the scheme, McDonald’s and the Scottish FA aim to provide support to grassroots clubs and schools across Scotland as they strive to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development. 

The Quality Mark scheme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which contributes to the employment of all Scottish FA club development staff, as well as discounted coach education and first aid courses for grassroots volunteers. The Big Lottery Fund is a key Scottish FA partner, contributing £6m to the delivery of the Scottish FA Youth Action Plan.

For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please visit http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/footballdevelopment