Report praise for Clyde's work in the community

The SPFL Trust has revealed that almost 31,000 people across Scotland were engaged across Scotland through the Legacy 2014 project, backed by £500,000 funding provided by the Scottish Government via the Scottish League Cup

A total of 40 clubs participated, including the Clyde FC Community Foundation project which was involved in the delivery of coaching to 1,291 boys and girls at local primary schools.

A detailed report, including analysis of every participating club, was launched by former Clyde manager Joe Miller at Hampden ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final between another two of his former clubs, Celtic and Aberdeen.

The report revealed that in total during the project there were; 3,000 young people in rural communities supported, 260 young people in NEET group in Life Skills Programmes, 520 accredited qualifications achieved, 36 employment opportunities initiated, 36 prisoners engaged in life skills programmes at HMP Dumfries & HMP Barlinnie, 185 volunteer opportunities created, 88 people with disabilities taking part in sport, people aged two to 90 reached , 250 schools involved and 73 elderly and socially isolated people engaged weekly.

SPFL Trust general manager Nicky Reid said: “The impact as demonstrated in this Legacy 2014 report has been incredible and we are so very proud of the part that Clyde FC Community Foundation has played in its undoubted success.

“Scottish football has once again shown its remarkable capacity to engage hard to reach groups, by using the power of each club’s reach within the communities in which they are supported.

“The Legacy 2014 programme is the single biggest programme of community engagement Scottish football has ever seen. It demonstrates the value that the SPFL Trust and our clubs working together can deliver to the country.”

Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Sport added: “This programme demonstrates the on-going legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the power of football – and sport in general – to reach out to people and change lives. Football can be a powerful force for good, and this report underlines that.

“I’m delighted that more than 500 people have earned professional qualifications and dozens of people with disabilities are now enjoying sport and all the benefits that can bring.

“If people are able to get into employment, or become more active, their health and standard of living can improve immeasurably. Perhaps best of all, much of this work was carried out in some of Scotland’s more deprived communities, helping to reduce inequalities.”