Thursday 28 May saw more than 100 children from eight primary schools from across Nithsdale take part in the Tesco Bank Football Challenge Festival, organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council, in partnership with the Scottish FA and Tesco Bank.
Pupils from Brownhall, Georgetown, Laurieknowe, Locharbriggs, Lochside, Loreburn, St Teresa’s and Wallace Hall primary school’s participated in small sided games, passing and shooting drills and were put through their paces with sprints and shuttle runs throughout the morning of football fun. There were a few wonder-strikes on show, and some wonderful goal celebrations to behold!
Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson was also on hand to show off his footballing skills with some of the children. He commented afterwards;
“It is marvellous to see so many of the children playing football with a smile on their faces. The skills that our Council’s football development team are passing onto the youngsters during curricular and out of school coaching sessions is clearly having the desired effect judging by what was on show today. One of the children told me that my first touch needs a bit of work, though!”
The children were taking part in the festival after recently taking part in 6 weeks of coaching sessions as part of the Scottish FA’s flagship participation programme.
The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a community programme run in partnership with the Scottish FA. The project introduces football to Primary Two and Primary Three children (six to eight years old) across Scotland to help get them engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle. The children have the opportunity to take part in activities such as mini games, ball skills and non-competitive challenges.
Adele Mills, Community Investment Manager at Tesco Bank added;
“Over the past four years 80,000 children have participated in the Tesco Bank Football Challenge. The next four years will see even more children and teachers benefitting from coaching, CPD sessions and fun filled festivals. We’re committed to evolving the programme to create a legacy of more healthy, active and confident children in communities across the country, such as Nithsdale.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council runs a series of football coaching sessions for children to take part in from the age of 3-12 years old. For details of your nearest coaching session and venue visit www.dumgal.gov.uk and search for’ Football Development.’ You can also find out more by calling 030 33 33 3000 and asking for the Football Development Officer.
Images attached of the festival, held on 28 May
