Scottish Communities League Cup - PCS Programme
Friday 27th January 2012
When Ayr United play Kilmarnock and Celtic meet Falkirk this weekend (28 / 29 January) in the Semi-Final of the Scottish Communities Cup, organisers behind the cultural change programme, Positive Coaching Scotland (PCS), will be hoping fans don’t leave the match just thinking of the score.
For the incorporation of Positive Coaching Scotland (PCS) branding on player mascots, billboards and in half-time video presentations will be a timely reminder of the commitment to the principles of Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance, players and coaches within all 42 Scottish Football League / Scottish Premier League clubs are being asked to make – on and off the pitch.
Supporting the Scottish Government and Scottish Football League, the ultimate goal of the Positive Coaching Scotland programme is to instil positive behaviours and attitudes in younger kids in Scotland’s communities who look up to football players as role models.
With the Winning Scotland Foundation inspired programme being rolled out by sportscotland across local authorities, coupled with the Scottish FA, Scottish Athletics and Scottish Rugby all delivering the same positive messages, this week marks the start of a push to take the PCS message into football dressing rooms and manager’s offices. Livingston FC, Ayr United FC (U-19’s / U-17’s) and Queen’s Park FC are the first to be targeted.
Parents of promising young players will also be invited to evening presentations at their football clubs.
Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, commented: “Positive Coaching Scotland is a fantastic programme and a great fit with our sponsorship of the Scottish Communities League Cup helping to promote the key messages of Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance.This Scottish Communities League Cup is a fantastic showcase for our national game, promoting everything that is good about football and the role it plays in promoting respect, responsibility and tolerance.
“I am very encouraged by the high level of engagement during this year’s Scottish Communities League Cup between our clubs and communities. It is a clear demonstration that football continues to play a positive role in our communities promoting a sense of togetherness, improved health, wellbeing and the importance of increased physical activity”.
Grant Small, Programme Manager of Positive Coaching Scotland, highlighted how the programme aims to make a difference: “Parents, teachers, coaches and volunteers can all influence how young people experience sport. Through workshops led by Positive Coaching Scotland, supporting the Scottish Government’s key messages of Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance, we need to help key influencers in a young kid’s life – including parents and players - understand their role in making sport fun and encouraging kids to stay involved.”
While his club is preparing for its Semi-Final clash this weekend, Ayr United Manager Brian Reid believes it’s important for his players and the parents of fans to understand what PCS is aiming to achieve: “On and off the football field, players are role models for young fans. The Positive Coaching Scotland programme – with its emphasis on Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance – offers a great way to remind players, managers , parents and coaches alike of the role we can all play in helping more kids recognise how through a little bit of effort we can achieve our goals and dreams.”
Gordon McDougall, Chairman of Livingston FC explained why his club is behind the programme: “Any programme that reminds those involved in Scottish football of the need to take responsibility for their actions and to be positive role models for younger kids is a welcome development. We’re already working with PCS to invite parents of young fans to hear what the programme is all about. We all have a responsibility to help kids and youth feel motivated and inspired to play sport and adopt the right attitude - on and off the football field.”
www.scottishfootballleague.com/pcs/
www.winningscotlandfoundation.org
NOTES
* Since its launch in 2008 through the business-led charity Winning Scotland Foundation, over 100,000 coaches, parents and teachers across six local authorities have been targeted with PCS workshops. Each is designed to reinforce how the actions and behaviour of these people can positively (and negatively) impact on a school kid’s attitude towards sport and life.
* From April 2008 to March 2010, PCS conducted 456 workshops, reaching a total of 12,498 attendees.
* Key partners in PCS Football: sportscotland, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Football League, Scottish Premier League.
* Winning Scotland Foundation is an Edinburgh based business led charity founded in 2005 by the oil and gas entrepreneur Sir Bill Gammell. The Foundation’s vision is achieving Scottish success through ‘sustained effort’. It aims to foster cultural change and encourage young Scots to adopt sport as a tool for life.
* Positive Coaching Scotland is a flagship programme of Winning Scotland Foundation.