Nil by Mouth is throwing its weight behind a Lowland League football club’s grassroots youth programme with the donation of hundreds of pounds worth of training equipment to Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Youth Academy.
The charity’s donation will support the club’s flourishing academy section which provides coaching and participation for hundreds of young players across the Borders.
Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Youth Academy are now a section under the newly formed Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Community Trust, which shall officially launch later this year and will build on the already strong foundations the Club has put down in the Borders since it was set up in 2013.
Nil by Mouth has been very active in the Borders in recent years since becoming a community partner of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC in 2015, running quiz nights, football writer events with the club as well as sponsoring Scottish Cup ties and delivering educational programmes to pupils at Selkirk High School. Gala Fairydean Rovers FC has an established reputation as a family friendly club with a proud record of community involvement and engagement. The GFRFC Community Trust will provide an opportunity to build and develop community activities ensuring that they remain a positive social force in Galashiels and in the wider Borders area. The Trust believe that their future success both on and off the field is dependent on developing and deepening existing roots in the local community by working with all of the people of Galashiels and surrounding area, local charities, businesses and partner organisations.
The Trust aims to encourage and foster an atmosphere of tolerance, respect and togetherness that matches our stunning landscape and surroundings. Through sport the Trust offer people of all ages, young to old, from the local area the opportunity to live longer, healthier, fulfilled lives. They want to improve their life chances by providing the opportunity to help people achieve and succeed. Through cooperative working with the local authority and community partner organisations the Trust aim to maintain a welcoming atmosphere that helps people in our community to become confident individuals, successful learners and responsible citizens. The new organisation will deliver projects and events based on the belief that engagement through football can result in far more than developing sports skills. It can harness a sense of mutual respect and trust, widen horizons, improve health and well being, raise aspirations and provide opportunities for people regardless of their background. Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said:
‘Gala have just enjoyed their best ever season on the pitch but this is a football club with big ambitions both on, and off, the field. I’ve seen first-hand the club’s footprint grow and grow in recent years and thousands of people have passed through its various teams and initiatives. This is a club at the very heart of our town and the new Community Trust can be an exciting vehicle to enhance this work. Nil by Mouth often have to deal with the negatives around Scottish football but we also know its true value to fans and communities. That is why we are delighted to be one of the first supporters of the new Community Trust and help it encourage grassroots participation in the sport.’
GFRFC Community Trust Chairman Ross Buchan said:
‘A lot of hard work and effort has gone in to achieving charitable status which was accomplished during September 2020. The formation of the new charitable organisation provides the necessary vehicle to take advantage of the great opportunities that exist and shall support our aim to provide support to the Community within the local area. We use the positive promotion of the great game of football to ensure high quality and accessible opportunities for members of our community to positively improve, develop and change their lives for the better whilst bringing fun and enjoyment to everything we do. ‘
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