£9m funding for grassroots sport to expand ‘power of football’ to more Scots

Football chiefs have welcomed a UK Government investment of almost £9m in grassroots sporting facilities in Scotland.

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney said the money – which will help pay for improved pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and floodlights – will allow “more people to experience the power of football”.

He was speaking after UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed Scotland will receive £8.6m for upgraded sports facilities.

The money is part of a wider investment of £100m across the UK, with £82.3m being spent in England, £6.1m going to Wales and £3m for facilities in Northern Ireland, with clubs and organisations across the UK being urged to apply for a share of the cash.

Ms Nandy said: “Grassroots sport clubs are at the heart of communities across the UK.

“That’s why we’re investing £100m to support new and upgraded pitches, changing rooms and clubhouses across the country, providing transformational funding to the areas that need it most.”

She added that the cash will help “remove barriers to an active lifestyle and increase opportunity for all, ensuring that wherever people may live, they can access high-quality sports facilities and experience the joy that sport brings”.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile hailed grassroots sport as being “backbone of Scottish communities”, saying it provides “opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activities”.

He added: “Through this scheme, almost 100 facilities across Scotland, including in our island and rural communities, have been built or upgraded and with this new funding we can look forward to many more.”

Mr Mulraney said when he became SFA president he had “made no secret of the fact that improving facilities at all levels should be the association’s number one priority”.

As such he said it is “grateful to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and partners for this latest commitment, which will enable us to further improve the infrastructure of our national sport”.

He added: “This will increase participation, improve health and wellbeing and allow more people to experience the power of football.

“It follows the Scottish FA’s commitment to ensuring profits are diverted to facilities and infrastructure via our Pitching In fund, and I look forward to further strengthening our partnership with UK Government, DCMS and Scottish Government, as well as philanthropic and business communities, to rejuvenate Scottish football’s facilities footprint.”