Tag: Ainslie Park

Spartans FC marks youth players’ long service with special medals

Long-serving Spartans youth players have been presented with medals to mark 10 years of service to the club.

The group belong to the current Under-17s set-up, having first joined not long after starting primary school.

Les Atkinson is chairman of the youth section and said: “We want to make people feel welcome and create a safe place for them to play their football and enjoy themselves here. It’s the ethos of the club which we work on and testimony to that is the length of time people stay at the club. 

“There is a real family feel to the club, a community spirit to it, and that helps keep players with us as they want to be part of something special.

“We are always pleased to develop players so they can move to bigger clubs but often they come back to us if things don’t work out for whatever reason.”

Spartans take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the quarter-final of the League Cup later this month and Les, who is also manager of the Under-20 Development Squad, added: “We have a visible pathway now which the youngsters can see. At least half a dozen of the first team players have come through the youth section to the U20 development squad and into the top team.

“Now we are in the SPFL, the players have a real target to aim for. The success of the first team filters down to the development team and then through the youth section and creates a real feel-good factor.

“But we have always been about more than just football and winning trophies. A key part of our success is doing a lot outwith the football, helping the local community.”

The youngsters were presented with the medals at half-time of a recent league match at Ainslie Park.

Photo shows back row (l-r): Les Atkinson (Spartans FC Youth Chairman), Stuart Gray (coach development officer), Daniel Weir, Cameron Findlay, Joe Barry, Josh Smith, Ola Benson, Michael Kiddie, Ford Mills, Tony Lewis (U17s coach), Paul Woods (U17s coach).Front row (l-r): Hugo Boyle, Charlie Cusiter, Preston Kennedy, Joe Woods, Ben Lewis, Finlay McNally, Chris Mill.

Goal reached as The Big Match raises £20,000

Businesses from across Edinburgh came together recently to play in the second annual Big Match, raising £20,000 for The Yard.

Celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and former Hibs star Darren Dods were among those in action at Ainslie Park as the business community rallied round to support the day.

“It’s been an incredible effort from everyone and the total of £20,000 is amazing,” said organiser Steve Currie, of Murray and Currie Property in the Capital.

“It was such a great day and I was delighted to reach our goal this year with all the money raised going to The Yard, which does such a fantastic job for young disabled people and their families.”

The Yard, which is based in the centre of Edinburgh with other locations in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, offers disabled youngsters and their families the chance to experience creative and adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.

Chief executive Celine Sinclair, added: “On behalf of our entire team at The Yard, well done to everyone who took part in The Big Match and a huge thank you to Murray and Currie and everyone who donated. 

“This donation is hugely appreciated and will go towards helping even more of the families, young people and children that we support.”

Thoughts have already turned to next year’s event, which will once again take place at Ainslie Park with a confirmed date of Friday, 7 March 2025.

Tomorrow: Businesses team up for Big Match charity clash at Ainslie Park

Businesses from across Edinburgh come together to raise money for The Yard

Businesses from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are teaming up this week to raise money in the second annual Big Match charity fixture.

Some of the city’s prominent private banks, legal firms, finance brokers, property developers and estate agents will be among those running out at Ainslie Park on Friday afternoon in a bid to raise as much cash as possible for The Yard, which runs adventure play services for disabled children, young people and their families in the east of Scotland.

Former Hibs star Darren Dods and ex-Dundee defender Matt Lockwood will also be pulling on a strip, as will celebrity chef Tom Kitchin as Commercial City take on Residential United.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural The Big Match, where Edinburgh’s property sector came together in aid of the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal, Friday’s event has again been organised by Steve Currie of Murray and Currie Property in the capital.

Steve Currie said: “I’d like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has made this possible.

“I’m delighted The Big Match is now an official charity after our successful application to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). 

“We have secured the services of our loyal supporters and partners to achieve this status and ensure the charity is reputable, credible, ethical, and professional in delivering all its objectives. It’s been a team effort from everyone. 

“Friday promises to be a great occasion which will raise vital money for The Yard which offers disabled children and young people and their families the chance to experience creative and adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.

“It’s particularly exciting to have former professional players Darren Dods and Matt Lockwood taking part, while I’m sure Tom Kitchin will be demonstrating some tasty touches as well!”

Celine Sinclair is chief executive of The Yard, which is based in the centre of Edinburgh with other sites in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, and she said: “We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as a charity partner for The Big Match, the money raised will go a long way towards helping us deliver vital services for disabled children and their families.  

“We directly support over 2300 children and young people from 16 different local authorities, and are reliant on fundraising as well as governmental support. A huge thank you to everyone who’s involved in this charity match, we’re hugely appreciative of the support.  And, good luck to the teams on Friday.”

Kick-off is 3.45pm and a Just Giving page has been set up for donations: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steven-currie-1708676927412?newPage=true

Spartans to benefit from Howdens £3m Game Changer Programme

NEW KITCHEN FOR AINSLIE PARK

The next generation of football players are set to benefit from a £3 Million programme aimed at improving clubhouse facilities as Spartans Community Foundation, home of Spartans FC at Ainslie Park, becomes the latest to receive support from Howdens and The Scottish FA.

Spartans FC was named as one of 450 lucky clubs to receive a state-of-the-art kitchen as part of the Howdens Game Changer Programme which was launched earlier this year with an aim to support grassroots football with improved clubhouse facilities, to bring local communities closer together.

Home to the Spartans Men’s, Women’s, under 20’s, National performance teams and 29 youth teams, the Foundation was chosen due to its commitment to make a difference in the local area. Under the umbrella of the Spartans family, the site also hosts the largest para-football section in Scotland, Spartans Connections.

In addition to their football development delivery, Spartans Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Spartans FC, provides free meals to everyone within their education and youth programmes. 

Whilst bringing communities closer together, the pioneering programme will also play a vital role in enabling the club’s charitable arm to provide the much-needed facilities to people in North Edinburgh, so the club continues to thrive. 

Daniel Gerrard, Commercial and Partnerships Manager at Spartans Community Foundation said: “Pilton in Edinburgh is home to some of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK and food poverty is still a big issue here.

“For some children, their school meal is often the main meal of the day. With our new kitchen from Howdens, we will be able to continue supporting those children when they’re not at school with our weekend FooTea, Breakfast clubs and fun-fuelled holiday clubs.

“Spartans Community Foundation not only supports football and para football teams, but the wider community too. Our motto is ‘here for good’ and we exist to make a positive impact in North Edinburgh.

“Our programme’s focus is on education, youth work, physical and mental well-being with a host of activities taking place throughout the week. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has caused increasing demand for our services and is one of the reasons we always provide a nutritious meal at every one of our clubs.

“The new kitchen from Howdens will be a real boost, it will allow us to keep up with demand and to continue providing meals for all who need them.” 

Miller Gillespie, Depot Manager, Howdens Edinburgh, added: “An important part of what we do at Howdens is aiming to make a positive impact on local communities, which is why we are delighted to be able to support Spartans Community Foundation.

“There is a lot of attention on grassroots football and what happens on the pitch, but we believe that the off-pitch facilities are just as important. Clubhouses are often the hub of the community, which is why we’re incredibly excited to see the new installation once it’s complete and how it will benefit the club.”

The installation work is due to start later this year so everyone can benefit from the brand-new kitchen this season.

The Howdens Game Changer programme was launched earlier this year by football legend Julie Fleeting, MBE, who lent her support by driving home the importance of grassroots football and clubhouse facilities on her own career. 

With depots all over the country, Howdens carries one of the largest in-stock ranges in the UK across kitchens, flooring, joinery, and hardware, so that products are readily available, and projects of any size can be completed without delay. 

To find out more about Howdens products visit www.howdens.com

Scotland’s first outdoor nursery at a football facility receives high praise from Care Inspectorate

WILLOW DEN SCORES AT SPARTANS

Willow Den at Spartans, Scotland’s first outdoor nursery at a football facility, received 5’s across the board in its first review visit by the Care Inspectorate.

Based in Ainslie Park Stadium, home to Spartans Community Football Academy, Willow Den aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland through access to fully outdoor early learning and childcare.

The nursery scored 5’s or ‘Very good’ across the board for care, play, learning, setting, leadership and staff team. The report commented, “Children were very happy, settled, and confident in the setting. They were supported by kind, gentle and nurturing interactions, helping children to feel safe and loved.”

Deborah Grant, Chief Executive at Willow Den said, “We are delighted to receive such positive feedback from our first inspection. Our nursery is based in an innovative outdoor setting, which enables children to follow their curiosity and develop their knowledge and skills.

“Research shows outdoor play as vital to emotional, physical, and mental health and well-being and critical to all aspects of childhood learning and development. This is why we are ambitious and want to open in more locations so more children and families in Scotland can play and learn in nature from nature.”

Willow Den was founded by Inspiring Scotland to accelerate outdoor nursery provision in Scotland and further its work developing outdoor play and learning. 

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland said, “We are delighted Willow Den at Spartans has received such positive feedback from its first inspection.

“Our work over the past 15 years at Inspiring Scotland has highlighted the impact of high-quality outdoor play as an essential catalyst for healthy childhood development and a fundamental part of growing up in Scotland.

“We know outdoor play is a life-enhancing experience and together we want all of Scotland’s children to thrive outdoors.”

Debbi McCulloch, deputy Chief Executive from Spartans Community Football Academy said, “It is our vision to be a welcoming and inclusive social home for our local community.

“Hosting an outdoor nursery is part of this vision – it is wonderful to see pre-school children having fun and learning right here on our doorstep. Our education pathway now extends from nursery school all the way to college. The Edinburgh Care Inspectorate report is testament to the hard work of everyone involved.”

In 2021, the social enterprise secured £225,000 loan funding from Social Investment Scotland (SIS) matched by a £225,000 grant from the SIS Growth Challenge to support its launch.

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS said, “It is great to see Willow Den thriving and receiving such a positive first review, as well as great feedback from parents.

“The outdoor nursery is an excellent example of a high-impact social enterprise that is meeting an immediate community need for early years education. We look forward to working with Willow Den as the organisation develops and grows in the years ahead.”

“Throughout the report, parents commented, “It is clear their number one focus are the children and making the nursery a safe and nurturing environment where the children thrive” and “we know that this is a very special place with very special people who care for and support our child completely.”

Willow Den is currently looking for more locations to expand outdoor play in Edinburgh. If you would like to find out more, please visit willowden.scot/

New £1 million youth facility coming to Ainslie Park

NEW YOUTH WORKPLACE AT SPARTANS COMMUNITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Leading construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson (T&A) is helping revitalise a community football centre with the creation of a carbon neutral, state-of-the-art youth facility in North Edinburgh. 

Work begins on the new £1m Spartans Youth Workplace building later this year, with T&A providing project management, quantity surveying and principal designer services.  

The new 200m2 building will replace the Spartans Youth Community group’s temporary facility currently sited next to Ainslie Park, the home stadium of football club, Spartans FC, in Pilton. 

The innovative project will be one of the most sustainable community facility builds in Scotland, with local labour and responsibly sourced materials used in construction, and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and air source heat pumps systems installed to reduce emissions and fossil fuel energy consumption. 

Once opened, the centre will include a kitchen, arts centre and community space where young people can socialise and work together. It will also feature a roof terrace, pool tables and table tennis. 

A key part of the development has been engaging with young people in the community to take their needs and wishes on board, alongside youth workers and other local stakeholders who all contributed to the design. 

David Young, Partner at Thomas & Adamson, said: “Thomas & Adamson is delighted to be involved in helping bring this new community facility to life, for the benefits to the local community, but also for the sustainable nature of both the construction and the eventual running of the Workspace”. 

While affiliated to the Scottish Professional Football League Two side Spartans FC, the new Spartans Youth Workplace has been funded by private investment and public grants as a hub for the whole community in the Ainslie Park area to enjoy. 

The building work is due to begin in autumn 2023 and is estimated to take 24 weeks.