A Prince in Pilton

Duke of Cambridge calls in at Spartans to talk mental health

  • Duke visits Spartans FC to hear about positive impact of the Heads Up ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ declaration in Scotland
  • Scotland’s spot-kick hero David Marshall joins Duke and other Home Nations players in zoom conversation on mental health
  • Mental Health League players engage in shooting drill with Duke and former Scotland international Steven Thompson

Spartans FC received a royal visitor yesterday when the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, paid a visit to Pilton to hear about the progress made in putting mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of the game in Scotland.

The trip to Spartans was the Duke’s first stop on his visit to Scotland, and saw him meet with representatives from the Scottish FA, Breathing Space, Time to Tackle, the Hampden Sports Clinic and Bonnyrigg Rose to discuss the range of mental health initiatives running in Scottish football.

With the visit also coming on the eve of the Scottish Cup Final, the Duke met with former Scottish Cup winners Chris Iwelumo and Marvin Bartley, who previously won the Scottish Cup with tomorrow’s finalists St Johnstone and Hibs respectively.

David McPhee, Chair of the Scottish Mental Health and Wellbeing League, spoke with the Duke as they took in some action from small-sided matches featuring players from the League.

The League, which was previously run by the Scottish FA, was set up to support recovery and tackle stigma associated with mental health.   

A number of the Mental Health and Wellbeing League players then helped the Duke test his shooting skills, as he took part in a friendly skills challenge with them and former Scotland striker Steven Thompson.

Scotland’s spot-kick hero David Marshall then joined the Duke and other Home Nations players in a zoom conversation to discuss changing the conversation on mental health and their experiences over the past year.

Also taking part in the catch-up ahead of UEFA EURO 2020 were Harry Kane for England, Julie Nelson for Northern Ireland, and Jess Fishlock MBE for Wales.

During his Ainslie Park visit the Duke also met with representatives from the Scottish FA to hear about the progress made in recent years, including the launch of the Scottish FA’s first ever Mental Health Action Plan last year.

The plan, which supports the Royal Foundation’s Heads Up mental health campaign, aims to end the stigma around the issue in football and create an environment for people to talk openly about their mental health in the game.

The Duke learned of the success of the Scottish FA’s mental health e-learning platform, which has seen more than 9,000 players, staff, managers and officials in the Scottish football community complete mental health awareness training through the platform in less than a year.

The module – the first bespoke mental health course created by any of the Home Nations – was developed by the Hampden Sports Clinic in conjunction with Breathing Space and was launched after the Scottish FA signed a joint “Mentally Healthy Football” Declaration as a lasting legacy of the Royal Foundation’s Heads Up campaign.

This commitment saw governing bodies, leagues and organisations from across UK football join in recognising that mental health is as important as physical health, and pioneering a ‘team approach’ on this important issue.

GoFitba kicks off this Friday

Local children from Forthview Primary School are to have the opportunity to participate in an exciting 12-week community project delivered by The Scottish Football Partnership Trust and The Spartans Community Football Academy.

GoFitba is a free to access football-based health and wellbeing project for Primary schoolchildren developed by The Scottish Football Partnership Trust and delivered by community football clubs.

The project aims to support the Curriculum for Excellence’s Health and Wellbeing outcomes as set out by The Scottish Government’s Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007.

Through a fun and progressive structure and delivery, the weekly two-hour project offers young children a platform of regular and fun physical activity and an understanding of the importance of leading a balanced and healthy lifestyle through diet and nutrition.

The project also aims to increase the young people’s self-motivation, improve their self-confidence, further develop their social and interpersonal skills and improve their general self-esteem.

The project timetable provides one structured afternoon per week and takes a holistic approach to teach the children the benefits of regular physical activity within a football environment.

The youngsters participate in an hour of fun football activity, and during the second hour of each session they take part in an interactive educational journey to explore the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle through diet and nutrition.  Each session ends with the children being served a hot, healthy meal and an opportunity to enjoy some social time with their peers.

Stuart McCaffrey, Chief Operating Officer at The SFP Trust said “The sport of football when used positively can act as a significant tool for personal and community development.

“We are excited to be delivering this project with (name of club) – a club truly at the heart of the community – and to be given the opportunity to positively engage with local school children to encourage them towards a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Douglas Samuel of The Spartans Community Football Academy said: “We are delighted to be working in association with The SFP Trust on this project which will see The Academy welcome 20 local schoolchildren over the next 12 weeks.

“Spartans Community Football Academy is always looking for new ways to engage with the local community and the GoFitba project is a fantastic way to showcase what we can offer to young members of our community at our excellent facilities here at the Academy.

“Participation in sport can bring a lifetime of benefits and we look forward to working with the children from Forthview Primary School to Get Fit, Get Healthy and Have Fun!”

TONIGHT: Morrisons Charity Football Match

SUNDAY 4th AUGUST at 7pm

SPARTANS COMMUNITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY, AINSLIE PARK

Granton vs Ferry Road … The Rematch!

Ferry Road currently have ownership of the trophy, lets see if they can keep it!

11-a-side football match held at Spartans Football Club, Ainslie Park Stadium, 94 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh, EH5 2HF.

7pm kick-off!

Entry tickets are £2, with under 5’s free

There will also be a raffle drawn on the night. Tickets for this are £1 each

Entry & Raffle tickets available from Monday 8th July from the Granton store. Entry can also be paid at the gate on the night.

The club bar will be open till 10pm for snacks and refreshments.

All money raised will be split and donated to CLIC Sargent & SAMH

FOOTBALL FANS HAVE A BALL DURING BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR OF BT MURRAYFIELD

Scottish Rugby gave exclusive access to supporters and youth players from Spartans FC

Ahead of the SFA’s decision on the future home of Scottish Football, 100 football fans were given the chance to see BT Murrayfield for themselves during an exclusive tour. Continue reading FOOTBALL FANS HAVE A BALL DURING BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR OF BT MURRAYFIELD

Morrisons hand over charity cheques

Charity Presentation

You may recall Morrison’s local stores Granton and Ferry Road took part in a local derby at Spartans recently and the keenly fought football match raised over £1200 for charity.

Morrisons staff nominated two local charities to receive a share of the money raised, and last week representatives from St Columba’s Hospice and SIMBA (Simpsons Memory Box Appeal) called in to the Granton store on the Waterfront to collect their cheques.

Congratulations to the sporting staff who took part in the big game and well done too to all who generously supported the event.

Hospice Cheque
Hospice Cheque

Simba Cheque
Simba Cheque

Lovely Ladies

Thanks to Morrison’s Dorothy Thomson for the pictures 

It’s official: Memorial match at Spartans sets new world record

Craig Gowans memorial match smashes world record

craig gowans world record

 The team behind the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund have officially become Guinness World Record Holders, smashing the record for the Longest Marathon Playing Football – in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

The group of enthusiastic football fans played out of their skin at The Spartans Ainslie Park home last month, completing a 105 hour-long football match which finished with an impressive final score of 774 – 707!

The game, hosted in memory of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans, who tragically died exactly ten years previously, originally hoped to raise £37,000 for the SKFF – inspired by Craig’s professional number at Falkirk, number 37. With donations still coming in, however, the final total is set to reach around £100,000!

The money raised will be used by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name. The space will be a calming room with multi-sensory equipment providing a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.

Ex-Rangers, Hibernain and Scotland boss, Alex McLeish attended the landmark fundraising event, as well as the current Scottish Cup holding manager, John Hughes. Footballers Scott Arfield and Thomas Scobbie were also there to cheer the players on.

Dario Alonzi, a member of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund organising committee, said: “We’re over the moon to have been officially granted Guinness World Record Holder status – the football match itself was an epic challenge and one that pushed us all to the very limit.

“To come away from the experience with official recognition of our efforts in the form of a World Record, as well as putting Craig’s name in the history books and raising £100,000 to gift to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, is just priceless.

“Again I would like to thank absolutely everyone who played a part in making this match possible, as well as everyone who has donated so generously.”

Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We have been blown away by the funds raised by the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund Football Match. The heroic lengths they have gone to in order to raise this money is something that will never be forgotten.

“Congratulations to the entire team, I’m absolutely delighted to hear that they have become official Guinness World Record Holders – and deservedly so. The money they have raised will help us transform the experience of the young people who visit Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital when it opens its doors in 2017.”

Talk about extra time!

World Record-breaking footballers cross the finish line

gowans world record

The Craig Gowans Memorial Fund World Record Breaking Football Match came to a dramatic close last night. The final whistle blew at 10pm – bringing to an end no less than 105 hours of football!

Friends and family of the late football Craig Gowans took on the longest ever 11-a-side football match between the 4 – 8 July, with the final goal score reaching an astounding 774 – 707.

After four days of football played at Spartans’ Ainslie Park stadium, the online and offline fundraising total for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, sits at more than £80,000 and Guinness World Records are expected to approve the record itself in the coming days.

Eoghan Molloy, a member of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund organising committee, said: “The whole experience has been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. There were a lot of mixed emotions as the final whistle blew – from relief and tiredness to joy, happiness and everything in between. It was amazing to hear that final whistle and to finish what we set to achieve.

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of the supporters and volunteers who came down to support us across the four days. Playing throughout the night was by far the most difficult part of the challenge, but when the sun came up and the crowd returned this completely lifted our spirits. Being able to finish the match is all down to these supporters.”

Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “All of the participants of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund have done a tremendous job in completely this outstanding challenge and we feel extremely privileged to be the beneficiary of their efforts.

“The team has smashed its fundraising target in great style and I’d like to congratulate all of them on this wonderful achievement. Not only have they etched Craig’s name into the history books, the money raised will help The Sick Kids Friends Foundation transform the experience of the children and young people who will visit Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital when it opens its doors in 2017.”

Alex McLeish and Yogi Hughes to support world record bid at Spartans

A game of two halves? Try a game of FIVE DAYS!

football

Imagine running the equivalent of nine marathons back-to-back; imagine burning over 18,000 calories per day while only getting one or two hour intervals for a ‘quick nap’; imagine playing a full season of 90 minute fixtures within four days – that’s the Herculean task facing 36 hopeful World Record Breakers in North Edinburgh this weekend!

Friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans have been embarking on a gruelling training regime in preparation for their challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the longest 11-a-side football match.

The record was broken just weeks ago at St Mary’s – the 30,000 all-seater stadium and  home of Southampton FC, but from the 4 – 8 July, Ainslie Park, home of The Spartans FC, will play host to one of the most ambitious of Guinness World Record attempts as the team aim to smash the current record.

The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Match has support from a number of high-profile football associations and charities such as the Scottish Football Association, Football Aid, The Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the Hibernian Football Community.

football

A number of celebrities will also take part in the event, including ex-Rangers, Hibernian and Scotland boss, Alex McLeish. McLeish himself will be acting as a guest manager for the record attempt, while the current Scottish Cup holding manager, John Hughes, will also be there, showing his support.

Former teammates of Craig and current professional footballers, Scott Arfield and Thomas Scobbie have also lent their support to the World Record attempt.

The event has attracted much attention since the plan was formulated by the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund, a fund set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.

Craig, a former Daniel Stewarts and Melville College pupil, died during training aged just 17, when a 20ft long pole used for transportable nets he was instructed to carry came into contact with power lines.  He had signed his professional contract with the club just two weeks prior to the accident.

football

Since the charity was formed in April 2007, the fund has raised more than £80,000, supporting charities such as the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) and the Chesney Trust.  The fund has also contributed towards building state-of-the-art educational facilities for children and young adults in places such as Malawi.

The two 18-man squads have already smashed their £37,000 fundraising target, inspired by Craig’s professional number at Falkirk, number 37, and the total continues to rise.

The money raised will be used to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name. The space will be a calming room with multi-sensory equipment providing a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.

The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Committee, made up of Craig’s school friends Jonny Wallace, Dario Alonzi, Eoghan Molloy and Chris O’Shea, are working hard to ensure the event is as successful as possible and raises as much awareness as possible.

Members of the public are invited to the kick-off of the world record attempt at 1pm tomorrow (Saturday 4 July) and to support the players throughout the match until the full time whistle on Wednesday (8 July).

Anyone who would like to check the progress of the World Record attempt can get in touch through the website – www.tcggwrm.org,

on Twitter – ♯CG37www.twitter.com/TCGGWRM37

and on Facebook –www.facebook.com/TCGGWRM

Donations can be made via JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/teams/worldrecord.

For further info contact Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com

 

Be part of sporting history!

Volunteers needed to aid local world record attempt 

football

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) and Craig Gowans Memorial Fund are recruiting hundreds of volunteers to get the ball rolling at an upcoming World Record attempt for the longest 11-a-side football match of all time.

Friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans are hosting the Guinness World Record attempt in memory of the young football star, and require the help of a vast range of volunteers to help make the event a success.

The Memorial Fund was set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.

This four day mega-match will take place at Ainslie Park, Home of Spartans FC, from 4 – 8 July, with all proceeds going to the SKFF.

The participating players aim to complete at least 103 hours of football in order to beat the current World Record which was recently set in Southampton. In order to complete this mammoth football challenge the charity are calling for people of all skills to support the fundraising efforts.

Volunteers needed include referees, stewards, physiotherapists, general helpers, as well as people to assist with the event setup and tidy up.

The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Football Match is expected to raise more than £37,000 for the Foundation. The money will be used to open a state-of-the-art Snoezelen Room in Craig’s name at the new Sick Kids Hospital in Little France. This calming space will use cutting edge multi-sensory equipment to provide a vital, stimulating area for young patients with sensory impairments.

Jonny Wallace, one of Craig’s closest school friends and an advocate of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund said: “We have organised many fundraisers in the past in memory of Craig but this epic match will be one of our biggest challenges to date and we need help from lots of volunteers for the event to run smoothly.

“Volunteers make all the difference to the success of our events and we would really appreciate any level of help for our upcoming World Record attempt whether it is for one day or all four.”

Rachel McKenzie, Head of Voluntary Fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We’re extremely grateful that the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund has chosen to raise funds for the Foundation. Their upcoming world record football match looks set to be a very demanding challenge and we urge anyone that can help them during the event to show their support and sign up for a volunteer’s role online.”

To register as a volunteer at the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund World Record Breaking Football Match

visit www.tcggwrm.org/volunteer

or email Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com.