This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Football clubs to help disaffected youths
05/12/2006
All 12 Premier League football clubs have agreed to meet the First Minister in the New Year to examine ways they can help to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
FM Jack McConnell made the announcement as he visited Rangers and Celtic where both clubs have already established Learning Support Centres for use by groups of school pupils from across Glasgow.
The centres provide structured courses for youngsters to take part in which aim to increase awareness in issues such as alcohol and drug misuse, antisocial behaviour and bigotry. They also provide courses aimed at boosting youngsters self-esteem and increasing levels of physical activity.
Since the first centre opened in 2001 at Ibrox over 50,000 visits have been made by groups of pupils, teachers and parents.
At Celtic Park, where the centre was launched in 2002, there has been a success rate of over 80 per cent in youngsters making progress in areas that were causing concern prior to taking part in the programme.
Mr McConnell said:
"I am delighted to be able to make this announcement today. Over the past week I have spoken to senior figures at all 12 Scottish Premier League Clubs.
"They were all very supportive of this initiative and many were keen to draw attention to useful projects already underway or ideas they have for taking this forward.
"Scotland has changed a great deal over the last thirty years - today there are more opportunities than ever before. But I know that there are still some young people - for whatever reason - who are left behind. Our Scottish Cabinet agreed earlier this year that reducing the number of young people not in Education, Empoyment or Training was a national priority. I'm determined to do all that I can to help ensure that all young Scots find a way to make the most of their talent and their potential.
"I believe these 12 football clubs are uniquely placed to help entice disaffected young men, in particular, away from a path that doesn't include education, employment or training. And I look forward to seeing a great number of young lives being turned around as a result of the involvement of these clubs and their desire to tackle this issue within our communities."
Martin Bain, Chief Executive of Rangers, said:
"Rangers Football Club is delighted to welcome back the First Minister to the newly refurbished Rangers Study Support Centre.
"Since the Minister opened the Centre in 2001, over 50,000 children have benefited from the Centre's positive learning experience and this refurbishment provides the City's children with a truly unique, fun and stimulating learning environment.
"The new-look £250,000 Centre will help us build upon the huge success our education programme has enjoyed to date and further enhance our wider community strategy which incorporates our Pride Over Prejudice campaign, Charity Foundation and Football in the Community initiative.
"Rangers has already made a positive difference to many lives and will continue to work with all sectors of the community via these initiatives."
Peter Lawwell, Celtic's Chief Executive said:
"Celtic Learning is a fantastic initiative and one which around 3,500 young people have already benefited from. Within our state of the art learning centre, the programme delivers an innovative mix of support for learning and physical activity, using Celtic Football Club as the vehicle for progress. Already, the results are highly impressive.
"Celtic Learning is just one element of the Celtic Foundation, the Club's new community initiative and the investment which the Club is making in the Foundation is indicative of the importance we attach to our role within the community.
"Across a range of areas, Celtic will continue to work tirelessly to build stronger communities and to make a difference to the lives of more and more people."