West Lothian Courier

Kids goal for it at fabulous footie fest

- Marjorie Kerr

School children from across West Lothian enjoyed a morning of sport as a football festival took place.

The Tesco Bank Football Challenge visited the area for a fun-filled festival at Armadale Academy.

And 256 pupils from six county schools are the latest to have taken part in six weeks of coaching sessions as part of the Scottish FA’s flagship participat­ion programme and came together for a finale to remember.

The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a five-year community programme run in partnershi­p with the Scottish FA.

The project introduces 20,000 children to football in primary two and three children (six to eight years old) across Scotland to help get them engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle.

More than 120,000 children across over 2200 schools in Scotland have now engaged with the country’s leading football participat­ion programme.

Teachers and volunteers continue to enjoy the Scottish FA’s in-service programme with more than 7500 now trained to support the growth of football in schools.

The primary schools attending the festival were: Armadale Primary School, Blackridge Primary School, Eastertoun Primary School, Southdale Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary School and Windyknowe Primary School.

Yvonne McColm, teacher at Windyknowe Primary School, said: “The children have enjoyed a fantastic six weeks of coaching with the Scottish FA and today marks a perfect end to the programme. They have learnt so many important skills since taking part, and the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle.”

David Drummond, Scottish FA regional manager, said: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a brilliant initiative that we’re proud to deliver to schools across the country. We’re pleased to welcome the children to Armadale Academy for this latest festival after a great six weeks of coaching.”

Adele Mills, community investment manager at Tesco Bank, added: “It was great to see so many children from Armadale having fun today whilst keeping fit and healthy as part of the Tesco Bank Football Challenge.”

 ??  ?? Special event Windyknowe Primary pupils joined in
Special event Windyknowe Primary pupils joined in

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