Free football clubs in Scotland

More than Scottish 3,500 children have benefited from the Extra Time initiative to provide free after school and holiday sports club for families on low incomes, increasing access to sports and improving their mental health during its first year.

Extra Time is a joint programme between the Scottish government and the Scottish FA that provides funding for 31 local football clubs and trusts to give free access to football clubs before and after school, as well as during the holidays. It is targeted towards primary school children from families on low incomes.

Scottish FA published a report that shows a £4 million investment from the Scottish government to help end child poverty by supporting parents and carers to increase their working hours, thereby maximising the effect of any financial savings, which has been especially successful in supporting single parent families. 

The report also shows that the number of parents and carers benefitting from the scheme rose by 80 per cent in the first six months.

Minister for sport Maree Todd said: “Extra Time is having a positive impact right across Scotland by providing affordable and accessible childcare options in local communities for thousands of families. The first minister has made clear we will continue to prioritise action to end child poverty by removing barriers to affordable and accessible childcare. This initiative will contribute to this.

“We know it is working for those most at risk of living in poverty, supporting parents to maintain their current employment or gain new employment.

“It is making a real difference for children and young people too, with mental health benefits for participants — improved confidence, happiness, and social skills — and the provision of food at sessions is helping to tackle food insecurity and to promote healthy food choices.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “At the Scottish FA we regularly speak of the power that football has to positively benefit society and the Extra Time programme is a shining example of the social benefits that football is able to provide off the pitch.

“We are grateful to the Scottish government for their support in delivering this programme over the past twelve months and look forward to continuing our work on the programme to deliver tangible benefits to families and communities across the nation.”

Former Scotland women’s international and Extra Time ambassador Suzanne Winters said: “Through my work with Queens Park Football Club I have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that this programme has had on the families involved with it. It is a fantastic example of football making a difference off the pitch.”

Former Scotland men’s international and Extra Time ambassador Stephen O’Donnell said: “It is heart warming to see the children in this programme enjoying their access to football through this programme while also benefitting them and their families through the free childcare.”