Bank of Scotland Grassroots Football
In 2007, Bank of Scotland announced its support for the most comprehensive programme of grassroots football in Scotland.
By 2010, over 140,000 young people will have benefited from one of our three football programmes - Bank of Scotland Soccer One, Bank of Scotland Midnightleague or organised competitions with the Scottish Schools Football Association.
Community Football Sighthill, Edinburgh
The programmes are delivered in partnership with the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Schools' Football Association. Much progress has already been made and this year is set to be an important one.
In 2008, the Bank of Scotland Midnightleagues will be delivered nationwide reaching 10,000 young people in all 32 local authorities. We are also celebrating 25 years of support for the Scottish Schools' FA and we will continue to build the successful Bank of Scotland Soccer One programme establishing it in 24 Local Authorities with 8,800 boys and girls taking part.
We believe that this is the most comprehensive programme of investment in grassroots football in Scotland by a commercial sponsor and one that will make a difference to the lives and wellbeing of tens of thousands young people across Scotland.
Additional investment of over £1m from the Scottish Government's “Cashback for Communities” will directly support the Bank of Scotland Midnightleague and Soccer One initiatives in a three year deal from 2008.
Bank of Scotland Midnightleague - winner of the best community programme in the UK category
In May 2008 Bank of Scotland won the award for the Best Community Programme in the UK at the Sport Industry Awards 2008 for the Bank of Scotland Midnightleague.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "Youth football across the country is going from strength to strength. I believe young people from all backgrounds should have the opportunity to make the most of their talents. I therefore congratulate the Bank of Scotland Midnightleagues for being recognised by the Sports Industry Awards as the Best Community Programme in the UK, as it allows young people to get off the streets and into sports. I have seen, firsthand, the programme in my own constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and the huge benefits it brings to the community. Bank of Scotland and the Scottish FA should be commended for all their hard work and success in running this type of football activity for young people."
