Grassroots football in Moray receives boost with launch of McDonald's initiative
GRASSROOTS football across Moray and the Highlands has received a major boost for 2023 with the launch of the McDonald's Fun Football programme.
The next generation of footballers across the region will benefit from the programme which includes 49 free events and festivals per year.
The initiative has been made possible thanks to a collaboration between Highland-based McDonald's franchisees Craig Duncan and Iain Fyfe, as well as the Scottish Football Association.
The pair have pledged £40,000 over the next two years to ensure young people have free access to the fortnightly events and monthly festivals.
The initiative is for primary school-aged children and includes two flagship events in April. The first will take place at Borough Briggs on April 22 and the second will take place the following day at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness.
However, the programme of free sessions will start in Moray on Saturday, January 21 and will run on alternate weeks until June 17 but more dates are set to be released with the programme continuing to run for the next two years.
Nairn franchisee, Iain Fyfe, said: “I am delighted to be able to help fund McDonald’s Fun Football in the Highlands, offering a huge number of kids from a diverse range of backgrounds the opportunity to spend their weekends participating in sport and making new friends.”
Craig Duncan, who owns nine McDonald’s restaurants across the Highlands and Grampian, added: "McDonald’s has always been a supporter of grassroots football, so I approached the Scottish FA to see how we could team up and take it to the next level in this region.
"They were delighted to get on board with us, and it’s fantastic to see the hard work everyone has put in come to fruition. Community is at the heart of everything we do.”
Free 4v4 sessions will kick off for under-8's at Elgin High School Astro from January 21. The sessions will start at 9.30am and finish at 10.30am.
Meanwhile, 5v5 sessions for under-10's and 7v7 sessions for under 12's will start on the same day but take place at the Coulardbank pitches in Lossiemouth.
The sessions will start at 9.30am and finish at 10.30am for under-10's while sessions for under-12's will begin at 10.45am and finish at 12.15pm.
Graeme Sutherland, Regional Manager – North at the Scottish FA, added: “Its fantastic news that McDonalds has agreed to support this programme across the Highlands and Moray.
"Both Craig and Iain really understand how important community football and events such as this are, and to be able to ensure this is offered at zero cost is excellent.
"We look forward to developing our long-standing partnership and benefitting thousands of children across the North."
More information about the initiative can be found here.
