University shines a light on weekend sport for youngsters

Sports staff and students at the University of St Andrews are gearing up to help local youngsters get active at weekends.

The Floodlit Football initiative is beginning its second year tomorrow (Saturday 29 September) from 7.30pm–9.30pm at the University Sports Centre’s AstroTurf.

Madras College pupils of all ages can pay just £1 to play, receive coaching and refereeing from male and female students from the University Football Club.

The scheme will run for 11 weeks and youngsters can drop in on any Saturday night. A key aim this year is to encourage girls to come along as well as boys.

Over two blocks in the last academic year, more than 80 youngsters attended the scheme which is run in partnership between the Director of Football, Stuart Milne; Elise Methven and Lesley Pringle from Fife Council’s East Fife Detached Youth Work Team; the council’s Active Schools scheme; Fife Constabulary; Fife Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Football Association.

In the summer the Floodlit Football initiative narrowly missed out on winning The Partnership Programme of the Year Award in Fife Council’s Partnership Excellence Awards.

The aim is to provide young people in St Andrews, and the surrounding area, with a positive activity on Saturday evenings.

Feedback from those taking part has been extremely positive and good relationships have been built with students, local youngsters and the other groups involved in the project.

Director of Football, Stuart Milne, who came up with the idea after being inspired by similar schemes, said: “The floodlit football programme is now moving into its second full year and we aim on building on the success of the last two blocks.

“We want to make the programme as big an event as we can to attract as many willing footballers into the University on Saturday evenings.

“All the partners are raring to go again as I’m sure the participants are too. I would also like to go on record and thank Lee Bailey, Fife Council SFA Football Development Officer, for his support of funding and equipment ahead of this new block. ”

Note to Editors

Stuart Milne is available to comment on 01334 467 196.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona MacLeod on 01334 462108/ 0771 414 0559.
Ref: (floodlit 28/09/12)
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