Community award catalyst for South ground plea to MP
And Edinburgh South are hoping that a visit from Ian Murray MP, the Secretary of State for Scotland, will help build political will to deliver a much-needed home ground for a club with more than 1,000 players across all age groups.
Mr Murray who is MP for Edinburgh South, visited Inch Park to deliver the Community Hero Award to volunteer coaches and helpers who keep the women's and girls' section running. Standing just yards from the site of the proposed new community-use ground, the politician watched as groups from the under-8s to the senior recreational women were put through their paces on the grass pitches currently being used for sessions.
He has been supportive of South's bid to build a proper home for one of the biggest community clubs in Scotland, and was also presented with his own Edinburgh South jersey as a way of thanking him for his efforts. He heard more details of the club's full pathway from Saturday Soccer School right through to the women's first team, who have just finished runners-up in the SWFL East – a little more than three years on from the first open training session to recruit players.
South remain hopeful that The City of Edinburgh Council will deliver on its previous commitment of land at the Inch Park Nursery site, with the current spread of public parks and school facilities causing boys and girls to be turned away on a weekly basis.
Joe Sneddon, Edinburgh South chief executive, stressed the importance of facilities as he praised volunteers for providing existing opportunities for women and girls, saying: 'This award is a testament to the sheer determination and hard work of our volunteers, who've built a thriving girls' programme here at Edinburgh South CFC despite operating within a wider football system that still favours the boys' game.
'They've created a full pathway from first kick to senior football in one of the toughest grassroots environments – all without access to our own all-weather facility.
'Support and recognition like this from Ian Murray genuinely makes a difference. It shines a light on what's already being achieved and strengthens the case for the investment needed to secure the future of girls' and women's football in South Edinburgh.'
While the UK Government unveiled a new £8.6 million war chest for grassroots sports facilities in March, South can't even apply for funding until the council greenlight the transfer of land – meaning that South, who aren't asking local taxpayers to commit to the project, remain in limbo.
South have plans in place to develop a full-sized floodlit all-weather pitch meeting SFA licensing criteria, plus a pitch-side pavilion with changing facilities and essential physio/first aid spaces. This would provide not only a training base and home ground for both the men's and women's teams, but the countless youth sides currently struggling with inadequate facilities.
* ESCFC currently has 75 teams and provides both competitive and recreational sporting opportunities for over 1000 number of players.
* The club works closely with local schools, the SFA and external partners to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
* The club runs a free Soccer School for 5-8-year-olds, with up to 120 children attending each week. This is one of the largest free football programmes in Scotland.
* Over 200 volunteers support the club's operation, from administrative staff to qualified team coaches.
Joe Sneddon spoke to The Edinburgh Reporter at Peffermill about the need for movement from the council:
Edinburgh Southern football club's girls and women's section volunteers received a community award
Local MP Ian Murray with Agne Celik Southern's Head of Women and Girls section.
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