Millions of pounds
confiscated from criminals is to be invested in Scottish football for young
people as part of the CashBack for Communities Scheme.
Justice Secretary
Kenny MacAskill today announced that the Scottish Football Association (SFA) is
to receive £2.25 million over the next three years to provide free
football activities for children and young people throughout
Scotland.
Mr MacAskill
unveiled the new funding on a visit to Shawlands Academy, Glasgow, to see young
people train as part of the Glasgow All Nations Sports and Recreation (ANSAR)
Easter holiday football programme.
The programme is
supported by the SFA Equity Project, a unique initiative aimed at increasing
the number of people from ethnic minorities participating in the game which has
received £467,475 of CashBack funding since 2011
Justice Secretary
Kenny MacAskill said:
"The CashBack
for Communities programme has been incredibly successful in using money seized
from criminals to fund projects in every part of Scotland. Today's
announcement brings the total amount we have invested and committed to
encouraging young people into footballing activity through the SFA to more than
£7.5m - with £74 million invested or committed through Cashback
overall since 2008.
"CashBack has
made significant investments in Scottish sport and our commitment to helping
grass roots programmes is underlined by today's announcement. This
£2.25million award will help more than 50 clubs and groups continue their
excellent work providing free sporting activities for their local
community.
"As one of
our CashBack partners, the Scottish FA is helping us ensure that the ill-gotten
gains of criminals can be put to good use by keeping youngsters out of trouble
and hopefully unearthing future star strikers for the Scotland football
squad!”
The Scottish FA
has undertaken significant investment in equity projects with 1,400 individuals
from 43 diverse ethnic groups across Scotland now taking part activities
including playing, coaching and volunteering.
The SFA’S
Director of Football Development Jim Fleeting added: "The Scottish FA is
grateful for the continued support from the Scottish Government via CashBack
for Communities funding.
“The grant
will enable us to continue our objective to grow the national sport at
grassroots level and in particular to make the game accessible to all,
regardless of ability, sex, religion or ethnicity.
“I am
delighted to be at Shawlands Academy to recognise and endorse the great work
undertaken by Glasgow Ansar. This kind of activity highlights the work of our
Equity officers and today's announcement by the Cabinet Secretary will
enable us to help clubs such as Glasgow Ansar to access coach education,
volunteering and funding support."
Notes To
Editors
The CashBack for
Communities programme takes the ill-gotten gains of crime, recovered through
the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and invests them into community programmes,
facilities and activities largely, but not exclusively, for young people at
risk of turning to crime and anti-social behaviour as a way of life.
Since the
inception of the Cashback for Communities programme in 2007, over £74
million recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been invested or
committed to a wide range of sporting, cultural, educational and mentoring
activities for children and young people throughout Scotland. The programme has
funded 1.2 million activities and opportunities for young people.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback
Glasgow ANSAR was originally formed
in 2001 to provide a sporting platform for the ethnic minority youth from
Glasgow’s Southside. Due to its success, the organisation has developed
significantly and is no longer limited to ethnic minorities, boasting
membership from a wide cross-section of the community it
serves.
Currently
membership is in excess of 200 ranging in ages from eight to 45 and from both
sexes. Furthermore, it no longer confines its activities to the sports arena.
Through strong networking links and collaborative work with local agencies, the
service provision now encompasses areas as diverse as careers advice,
counselling, confidence building and access to both academic and sporting
qualifications.
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=3063&newsCatego
ryID=12&newsID=11193