Crime pays out for pitch development

Apr 10 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BREADALBANE FC and its youth section, Breadalbane/ Strathtay Youth FC, are cashing in on crime.

The successful Highland Perthshire club has been awarded a £66,000 grant from the sportscotland Cashback for Communities scheme, which distributes money clawed back from the proceeds of crime.

The money will go towards increasing changing capacity and the redevelopment of the Aberfeldy pitch.

The grant is reward for the great strides the club has made in recent years.

Two years ago, the club became only the second in Scotland to attain the SFA's Community Quality Mark Status and the following year went on to win Community Club of the Year at the SFA awards ceremony at Hampden Park.

The club now boasts flourishing youth and adult sections, with six boys’ teams, two girls' teams and two adult teams playing under the Breadalbane umbrella.

Through its partnership with the Highland Perthshire Sports Trust, the club also continues to work with schools in the Highland Perthshire area, providing lunchtime and after school football sessions for children.

Youth club chairman Garth Menzies commented: “The growth of the football club has had a fantastic impact on the Highland Perthshire community.

“Not only are there more and more opportunities available for boys, girls and adults to participate in our national game but there has also been a great social impact in the area by linking our rural communities together.

“This award is a result of the tremendous hard work put in by all our coaches and volunteers and will hopefully encourage the community to keep supporting our club.”

Youth Football – p70.