Blantyre Soccer Academy

Blantyre Soccer Academy is a registered charity SC 043613 whose objectives are to advance public participation in amateur sport of football by promoting the game of football through the provision of recreational facilities and activities. To improve the fitness and health of the persons for whom the facilities/activities are primarily intended and to provide a safe environment to encourage and promote the development of football, health, self-esteem and friendship within the community of Blantyre and its environs. This is achieved with age groups of children from 3 years to 19 years of age also an adult amateur team and an over 35’s team. We also are a Full Disability Club and provide a full player pathway. In our R & C, the committee of the Academy outline the genesis, rationale, objectives and future proposed development of the association and where we see ourselves progressing towards in the short, medium and long term. WE ARE A REAL COMMUNITY CLUB - "Building a Better Blantyre One Person at a Time" Blantyre Soccer Academy as a whole has, since its inception in 2010, been organised and run solely by volunteer coaches and administrative staff and exists as a non-profit making venture. As a self-funded organisation of volunteers we of course rely very much so on the goodwill of the local community we seek to serve. We aim to provide facilities and equipment and it will be available to anyone irrespective of race, colour, religion, sex, sexuality or disabilities. We aim to promote a respect for diversity and encourage people to take pride in themselves and their team mates through the game of football. As such we source sponsorship from local sympathetic businesses and other individuals who share the mission aims of our project. Like all such organisations which exist and thrive and are dependent on the goodwill of the local community, we are always seeking to source alternative mechanisms for funding so as to ensure our organisation continues to thrive and play a vital role in our local community in terms of social cohesion and integration. Blantyre Soccer Academy plays a highly significant role in providing diversionary activities, interventions and opportunities for young people in the Blantyre area, although we stress we are not limited solely too young people from Blantyre and positively welcome those from other districts to participate in all our activities. We strive to promote positive living, nutrition, discipline and exercise and in-still in our young people the advantages of a healthy lifestyle. Blantyre Soccer Academy seeks to provide our young people with positive role models and regularly invites successful sports persons to visit our young people so as to encourage them to participate in the diversionary and positive activities promoted by our club. Blantyre Soccer Academy is, in line with our attempt is currently seeking to increase our participation numbers to 500+ active young people over the next 12 months. We think this is eminently achievable with assistance. CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS SFA LEGACY CLUB SFA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB SFA FULL DISABILITY CLUB SOUTH LANARKSHIRE CLUB SL GOLD AWARD SFA & SUNDAY MAIL COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR (2013) SOUTH LANARKSHIRE DISABILTY CLUB OF THE YEAR 2013/14 SFA & SUNDAY MAIL DISABILITY CLUB OF THE YEAR (2014/15 SFA & SUNDAY MAIL COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR (2015/16) BOARD OF TRUSTEES (4 MEMBERS): T. Slaven (appointed Feb 2016), M. McGlynn (appointed July 2015), K. O’Neil (20 Years in Football), J.J. Whelan (Construction Director) COMMITTEE STEERING GROUP: Joe Maguire: Honorary President 35 years’ experience in Football and Business Management, Jimmy Whelan: Chairman Construction Director 15 years, Dougie Borland: Vice Chairman 10 years Director Own Business, Kevin O’Neil: Academy Head 10 years Professional Football, Linda Riddoch: Secretary 20 years in Business Management.