The Scottish Schools' Football Association

Transcription

1 The Scottish Schools' Football Association JOHN GOLD -S.F.A. COUNCIL MEMBER 3 Queensberry View, Dumfries DG1 4UR Cl) Home: CENTENARY YEAR Mr. Richard Baker MSP, M4.13 Parliament Headquarters Sc~ttish Parliament.,?\\t;\&\ Edmburgh 1. I \) t.' EH99 ISP ~ac:ia\'1~).2~~ 6J~ 2 C>C~ Dear Sir, Reporter's Investigation into Scottish Football I have made a few comments on one or two of the issues listed in your consultation document. Firstly, however, I have noted below the activities of the Scottish Schools' F.A. as there is a misconception in the country that there is little school football being played. The Scottish Schools' F.A. is a vibrant organisation dedicated to providing extra curricular football for our young people. Teachers are very much aware that sport opens pupils' eyes to new challenges~ to being the best they can be, to genuine enjoyment and pride in achievement. The Scottish Schools' F.A. is a charity, run entirely by volunteers, no wages are paid to the officials. All funds to run our activities are raised by the Association. Over the last ten years this has amounted to about lmillion pounds. Income is raised from fees and affiliations, sponsorship, grants from individuals, fund raising activities. We occasionally receive small sums of money and help in kind from the SFA. The SF A also provide an office at Hampden for our General Secretary. i The Scottish Schools' Football Association, years of Developing the Nation's Talent The Scottish Schools' Football Association was formed in 1903 and currently has 34 affiliated Primary and Secondary local Associations from all parts of Scotland. The Association organises both domestic and international football for boys and girls. Domestic football began in season 1903/04, when Paisley Grammar won the Senior (under 18) Shield. This is the oldest national competition in schools' footbftll. The trophy was presented to the Association by Queens Park F. C. in 1903 and has been played for every season since, including the war years. Craigmount High School, Edinburgh won the Centenary Final at Hampden on the 10th May Development of the game within the schools of Scotland has now resulted in the Scottish Schools' F. A. organising 17 national competitions as follows: - ~~""" --"-c 1

2 '" -, "., Inter -School Competitions '.Fun Fours for Primary 4/5 boys and girls on a festival format. This is a charity event with proceeds donated to worthwhile causes such as Children's Hospices and Childline..Sixes for Primary 6 boys and girls on a festival format (sponsored by Scotland Against Drugs in 2003 and 2004)..Sevens for Primary 7 boys and girls on a festival format (sponsored by the Bank of Scotland).Sevens for Secondary 1 boys on a festival format (sponsored by Coca Cola)..Sevens for Secondary 1 and 2 girls on a festival format (sponsored by Coca Cola)..Under 13 Shield..Under 14 Shield.Under 15 Shield (girls)..under 15 Shield (sponsored by the Bank of Scotland)..Under 16 Sevens for girls on a festival format.under 16 Shield (sponsored by the Bank of Scotland)..Senior Shield (girls) (sponsored by the Bank of Scotland).Senior Shield (sponsored by the Bank of Scotland). Inter -Association Competitions.Primary National Trophy..Primary Sevens on a festival format..under 15 National Trophy..Senior National Trophy. In addition the Association provides representative football for the best schoolboy players. The first schoolboy international took place at Newcastle in 1911 when the Scottish Schools and the English Schools drew 1-1. Internationals with the Welsh Schools began in 1914 and with the Northern Ireland Schools in Since then, international commitments expanded to the extent that the Scottish Schools' F.A. participated in international competition at under 15, under 15 girls, under 16 and under 18 as follows:.under 15 development internationals against N.Irelal:ld, Wales and European opposition..under 15 girls v N. Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales.The Victory Shield (broadcast live on Sky T. V.) -played against England, Northern Ireland and Wales..Invitation Internationals. Recent opponents have been Brazil, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, 'Holland, Finland, Austria, Hungary, New Zealand, Morocco, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland and the Republic of Ireland..Under 18 Centenary Shield v England, N. Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales and invitation internationals N. B. The SF A, as from this season (2004/2005), has taken responsibility for the under 15 and under 16 age groups -the highlighted bullet points.

3 . The Scottish Schools' F.A. is proud of it's international record at the under 15/16 age group. Since the very first under 15 international in 1911, the record of the Scottish Schools' F. A. at this age group is quite superb. In 312 internationals (not counting tournament games in Montaigu and Ballymena) involving 20 different nations, there have been 167 wins (54%) 66 draws (21%) and only 79 defeats (25%). I have enclosed our 2004 Yearbook & Handbook, together with a Brochure and Who's Who (up to 1997) summa rising our extensive activities. Schools' Football is far from being in decline. Over the last few years the number of schools participating in the national competitions has increased considerably. However, not all schools take part for varying reasons, and this issue needs to be addressed. Every boy and girl in the country attends school and schools are therefore in an ideal position to develop our young people's love of sport including our national game, football. How can we improve participation in schools?.legislation to change the school day to include a sports afternoon. Ideally this would be the same day for each school to allow inter school games. More teachers would volunteer their services..encourage schools by providing grant aid based on the level of activity in each school..in-service training for volunteers in individual sports..provide the tools for the volunteer to deliver: time/ funds/ equipment/playing fields. Volunteers should not need to spend time putting up nets or raising funds etc..better maintenance of existing playing fields..easier access to playing fields for those schools without facilities.regular input from specialist P.E. teachers to improve fitness, health and all round sporting skills in primary schools..specialist coaches to provide support. Strong role models are important for the self- esteem of boys. ~ How can we support the work of the Scottish Schools' F.A.? The Association has a very large band of willing volunteers from allover the country. Volunteers don't want any rewards or awards but support to do the job of providing football and developing the game. As I mentioned earlier, the Association raises all its funds. We look at England and the Republic of Ireland in envy at the monetary support they receive. The English Schools' F. A. receive at least 200,000 per year. Word is that this has been increased to 400,000. Republic of Ireland Schools' F.A. receives 70,000 per annum. With this support the volunteers are encouraged to develop the game and increase participation. In stark contrast, the SF A. has requested that the Scottish Schools' F.A hand over the 17,000 Sky TV fee for the Victory Shield games to the SFA. The Scottish Schools' F.A. hold the contract, which has three years to run. ~

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5 '".Some clubs prevent their signings from playing with their friends in the school football team from as young as 11 years old -where is the child in all of this?.13, 14 and 15 year olds training 3 nights a week and playing on a Sundaywhere is the time for a social life with their friends and school work? The SF A are hoping to introduce new registration rules and one form for all youth registrations. It is to be hoped that the new regulations will restrict clubs from signing too many players too early and prevent the clubs from stopping our young players from playing with their school teams. Boys unsuccessful at clubs would continue in the game with their schools and may well progress in the game at a later date. The following regulations would benefit the game: "iij I"~.Dual age banding of the Initiative Leagues -under 13, under 15 and under 17 (at present teams are run at under 12,13,14,15, and 17. Teams are more likely to have elite players with fewer discarded through time. This would also release boys to play youth and school football. Many late developers will progress from school and youth football..maximum 16/20 players per dual age team..all players under 15 should be able to play with their school. Over this age boys remaining with Premier Clubs should be identified talented players and would not play for their schools or any other teams. An alternative system to the club Initiative Leagues worthy of consideration is for all boys under 15 to be registered with the SF A and not the clubs. The SF A would be responsible for the development and well-being of these young players. Regional Centres would need to be established. This unified structure would guarantee a coherent strategy with every young player experiencing a high quality of coaching. Clubs would be able to sign talented players at the age of fifteen. The SFA/Sportscotland/The Executive are currently discussing a 'Youth Action Plan' based on the recent PMP report. The Scottish Schools & Scottish Youths are represented at these talks. Regional Centres are likely be set up to develop the game, as I see it, under three broad headings:- Excellence/Participation/Support. The 31 million to support the ten-year plan, however, includes 20 million previously committed money. The 10million new money, lmillion a year, could well be swallowed up by the costs (wages & expenses etc) in the running of the Regions. There is a need for a change in the Governance of the Association. There are proposals in the PMP report, which will be considered by the Implementation Group set up by the SF A. This group has representatives from the Scottish Executive, Sportscotland, the SFA, Scottish Schools' F.A., Scottish Youths, the Women's Association and the Local Authorities. The Supporters Trust model has many strengths. I receive the Supporters Direct magazine and I am impressed with the good work being undertaken at many clubs. The trusts provide a valuable link with the clubs. A few clubs owe their continued existence to the fund raising efforts of the trusts. - t1

6 The Organisation of Scottish Football Having all the varying associations under one roof at Hampden has improved the lines of communication between the Associations and, I feel, that there is greater awareness that joined-up thinking is essential for the good of everyone in the game. The current committee structure is promoting dialogue. The Scottish Schools', Scottish Youths, Scottish Women's Association, Scottish Amateurs and Scottish Juniors -the Affiliated National Associations- work together on the National Game Committee to foster football at non-professional level. The associations run the game according to the rules and guidelines of the SF A. Should the Affiliated National Associations be run by the SFA? -only if the SF A is willing to lose many of the volunteers. Closer co-operation between the SFA and the ANA's, together with support for the associations will retain the volunteer and increase participation. There needs to be a restructuring of the Senior Leagues, in the first instance, along the following lines:-.two senior national leagues of 12 teams, with promotion and relegation (the best 24 teams in Scotland from the Premier League and Divisions 1& 2). We are a small country with too many 'senior clubs'. The best home talent should, be Clubs playing for the in these development two leagues. of the These best talent. clubs would also become Performance.The remaining Division 2 & 3 clubs, together with clubs from the Highland League, East of Scotland League, the Southern Counties and some Junior clubs could then be divided into Regional leagues with promotion available to the Senior Leagues. The above are only a few thoughts. I would welcome an opportunity to meet and discuss these matters further. Yours Faithfully, 4.L~.Jc/ John Gold b ~