Jeanfield Swifts’ ambitious plans for sports hub hailed by SFA.

Football club wants to offer a range of sporting activities

Jeanfield Swifts are ready to unveil bold plans aimed at transforming the club into a community powerhouse capable of making a major impact on people’s lives.

The Perth scheme is one of three to have been selected for the Big Lottery Fund Developing Community Clubs’ pilot project.

Club chiefs say the money being made available will have far-reaching consequences – beginning with a community asset transfer of the land on which the stadium sits.

An adjacent derelict piece of land would then be used to develop affordable and social housing in the North Muirton community.

That will in turn help fund the upgrade of the club’s sports facilities and pitches, including both 7-a-side and 11-a-side 3G pitches.

The proposals have been hailed by the Scottish Football Association as evidence of the “ambition” and “forward-thinking” displayed by the club.

Full details of the project will be unveiled at a presentation held at the Swifts’ Riverside Stadium on Monday.

Jeanfield Swifts run numerous social initiatives designed to promote healthy living and wellbeing.

The club already operates boys’ and girls’ teams, together with futsal, disability football, pilates and karate classes and mother and daughter sessions.

Ultimately, the Swifts hope to develop a multi-sport hub offering a range of activities.

Swifts club secretary Iwan Davies said: “Our main priority is to integrate ourselves with the community.

“We realise we are a community club – a lot of our players come from the community – but we need to expand that network to work with people who aren’t necessarily going to play football, but who have needs in another capacity.

“Through the project we want to create a facility that is more sustainable and more effective – one that links in to local partners such as schools and community organisations.

“We see our role transforming from one offering opportunities for children to play football to one offering the entire community opportunities to get healthier and fitter.”

He added: “Initiatives such as the Developing Community Clubs project are enormously beneficial.

“We wouldn’t know where to start a project of this magnitude without the professional advice with which the Scottish FA has been able to connect us, but it is now close to becoming a reality.”

Through the project we want to create a facility that is more sustainable and more effective. SWIFTS CLUB SECRETARY IWAN DAVIES