Latest news with #Soutar
The National
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
SFA looking to 'pitch in' for improved disabled facilities
The Scottish FA can often be a convenient punching bag for the ills in our game, but when it comes to facilities for supporters, the governing body seems determined to show that they are serious about dragging Scottish football into a brighter future. SFA president Mike Mulraney has spoken in the past of his desire that an improvement in facilities across the board, not only for disabled fans, will be his legacy. And much of the responsibility for ensuring the money gets to where it needs to go falls on the SFA's chief operating officer, Rucelle Soutar. Soutar, who is also a trustee of the Scottish Football Partnership Trust, is hopeful that clubs who wish to improve the offering to their disabled fans will seek out the financial help that is available for them to do so. 'The SFP Trust are a partner of Pitching In – a campaign designed to raise £50m for facilities and infrastructural improvements at all levels of the game,' Soutar said. 'President Mike Mulraney has made this area the number one priority for the association to help offset a significant facilities shortfall. 'It will support clubs seeking to put down new 3G pitches, upgrade existing facilities and also to improve infrastructure such as accessibility and making changing rooms more accessible for girls and women and Para footballers. (Image: Scottish FA) 'All member clubs have to do is visit and hit the contact button on the home page.' And Soutar can point to the evidence. The SFP Trust provided vital funding to the building of a disabled platform at St Mirren's SMiSA Stadium, while she was involved in the delivery of the new raised platform in Hampden's North Stand. Both projects were the result of collaboration not only between those bodies, but with the fans who would stand to benefit from their completion. 'It is important football is accessible to all and that is why we have invested significantly in the recent upgrades to the disabled seating deck,' she said. 'This followed the successful installation of a temporary disability seating deck for UEFA EURO 2020 and was part of a wider stadium improvement plan following the Scottish FA's purchase of the stadium in 2018. Read more: 'This was a six-figure capital investment designed to enhance the experience for disabled fans. During the process we consulted with key groups who provided invaluable insight on behalf of the disabled community. 'The Scottish FA was the first national association to welcome a Para NA [National Association] to the football family, and we consulted with them as well as members of our Scotland Supporters Club to ensure the improvements were practical but also informed. 'We were determined that the upgrades helped create a memorable experience for supporters, not just from the viewing platform but the accessible access points throughout the stadium. 'The feedback has been positive, but this is largely due to the collaboration and input from the outset.' While some fans have been delighted with the new seating deck, Soutar says that a similar project in the South Stand may not actually be what disabled supporters desire, with others instead being happy to have the option of remaining a bit closer to the action. 'We have received feedback from supporters who love those seats, they're pitch-side, and the closest fans to the players in the whole stadium,' she said. (Image: SNS Group) 'The stadium benefits from being able to offer fans in wheelchairs a range of options, the same as any other fan would have, about where they want to sit. 'Fans with accessibility requests have a choice of experience, which we've received really positive feedback on.' That's not to say that Soutar is resting on her laurels when it comes to improving the national stadium, with the fact that Hampden is now fully under the SFA's ownership bringing with it both the opportunity and the responsibility to invest in improving the famous old bowl. 'It's important to stress that Hampden Park's last significant redevelopment took place in 1997, and now that the national stadium is under the ownership of the Scottish FA, we must take all possible steps to ensure the matchday experience is safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all fans, particularly those who have additional support needs,' she said. 'As the stadium's last redevelopment was almost 30 years ago, we have an ongoing maintenance plan to ensure we keep step with supporter needs and expectations, while realising that new stadium build costs of Hampden Park's size and scale are now routinely in excess of £1bn. 'We will continue to engage with partners to enhance the experience in line with tournament regulations but also in line with supporters' expectations.'
The Herald Scotland
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
SFA looking to 'pitch in' for improved disabled facilities
The Scottish FA can often be a convenient punching bag for the ills in our game, but when it comes to facilities for supporters, the governing body seems determined to show that they are serious about dragging Scottish football into a brighter future. SFA president Mike Mulraney has spoken in the past of his desire that an improvement in facilities across the board, not only for disabled fans, will be his legacy. And much of the responsibility for ensuring the money gets to where it needs to go falls on the SFA's chief operating officer, Rucelle Soutar. Soutar, who is also a trustee of the Scottish Football Partnership Trust, is hopeful that clubs who wish to improve the offering to their disabled fans will seek out the financial help that is available for them to do so. 'The SFP Trust are a partner of Pitching In – a campaign designed to raise £50m for facilities and infrastructural improvements at all levels of the game,' Soutar said. 'President Mike Mulraney has made this area the number one priority for the association to help offset a significant facilities shortfall. 'It will support clubs seeking to put down new 3G pitches, upgrade existing facilities and also to improve infrastructure such as accessibility and making changing rooms more accessible for girls and women and Para footballers. (Image: Scottish FA) 'All member clubs have to do is visit and hit the contact button on the home page.' And Soutar can point to the evidence. The SFP Trust provided vital funding to the building of a disabled platform at St Mirren's SMiSA Stadium, while she was involved in the delivery of the new raised platform in Hampden's North Stand. Both projects were the result of collaboration not only between those bodies, but with the fans who would stand to benefit from their completion. 'It is important football is accessible to all and that is why we have invested significantly in the recent upgrades to the disabled seating deck,' she said. 'This followed the successful installation of a temporary disability seating deck for UEFA EURO 2020 and was part of a wider stadium improvement plan following the Scottish FA's purchase of the stadium in 2018. Read more: 'This was a six-figure capital investment designed to enhance the experience for disabled fans. During the process we consulted with key groups who provided invaluable insight on behalf of the disabled community. 'The Scottish FA was the first national association to welcome a Para NA [National Association] to the football family, and we consulted with them as well as members of our Scotland Supporters Club to ensure the improvements were practical but also informed. 'We were determined that the upgrades helped create a memorable experience for supporters, not just from the viewing platform but the accessible access points throughout the stadium. 'The feedback has been positive, but this is largely due to the collaboration and input from the outset.' While some fans have been delighted with the new seating deck, Soutar says that a similar project in the South Stand may not actually be what disabled supporters desire, with others instead being happy to have the option of remaining a bit closer to the action. 'We have received feedback from supporters who love those seats, they're pitch-side, and the closest fans to the players in the whole stadium,' she said. (Image: SNS Group) 'The stadium benefits from being able to offer fans in wheelchairs a range of options, the same as any other fan would have, about where they want to sit. 'Fans with accessibility requests have a choice of experience, which we've received really positive feedback on.' That's not to say that Soutar is resting on her laurels when it comes to improving the national stadium, with the fact that Hampden is now fully under the SFA's ownership bringing with it both the opportunity and the responsibility to invest in improving the famous old bowl. 'It's important to stress that Hampden Park's last significant redevelopment took place in 1997, and now that the national stadium is under the ownership of the Scottish FA, we must take all possible steps to ensure the matchday experience is safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all fans, particularly those who have additional support needs,' she said. 'As the stadium's last redevelopment was almost 30 years ago, we have an ongoing maintenance plan to ensure we keep step with supporter needs and expectations, while realising that new stadium build costs of Hampden Park's size and scale are now routinely in excess of £1bn. 'We will continue to engage with partners to enhance the experience in line with tournament regulations but also in line with supporters' expectations.'
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scots Apprentice star Mike Soutar duped in 'shameful' online gift card scam
The Dundee-born businessman was recently stung by crooks online. Scots Apprentice star Mike Soutar has admitted to being caught out in a "shameful" gift card scam. The Dundee-born businessman, known for his forensic interrogation of candidates on BBC's The Apprentice, was stung by crooks online. Writing about the con on LinkedIn, Mr Soutar told his followers that although he got his money back, he was left with an overwhelming sense of shame. The entrepreneur believed he was being emailed by Tim Allan CBE, who requested him to buy a £450 iTunes voucher. After attempting to contact the fellow businessman with no success, he quickly snapped up £150 worth of vouchers. But when his bank spotted a second transaction, it blocked the initial payment - sparking the star's scam concerns. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He wrote online: "When Tim Allan CBE asks you to take on an assignment you snap to it. Not only is he my inspiring Chairman on the board of the V&A Museum in Scotland, he is also an ex-tank commander. "So when he emails a request for me to take on a 'special assignment' early on Saturday morning I am intrigued. Can you buy some vouchers for some of the members of the team to recognise their hard work over and above the call of duty?' "This is typical Tim. Brilliant at knowing the right time to make a personal gesture. And he's right: the team have been working overtime to put on an epic new Garden Design exhibition. "We exchange emails. Tim says he knows he can trust me to keep it all confidential. And then: "Can you get the vouchers in the next 20-30 minutes?' Erm, OK, I reply, but it'll have to be online. That's fine, he says: 'just get iTune gift cards, do £450-worth, send me the PINs and keep the cards in an envelope for me.' "He sounds a bit stressed and impatient so I try to call him. I get no answer but, pressed for time myself, I buy £150 of vouchers. "My credit card flags the second transaction and blocks it. I curse the overcautious fraud filter, and… oh hang on. I tap on Tim's name at the top of the email address. "It is not his email address. I message him. He phones me back. 'What's all this about vouchers?' Mr Soutar went on to warn his followers how crooks "don't prey on stupidity" but rather on timing, stress and distraction. He continued: "I've been scammed. And this is the part that stings. Not the money. (I get that back.) Not the perceived loss of face explaining it all to Tim. It's the sense of shame. "The stomach-punch to your self-worth. The voice in your head saying: 'You absolute mug, Mike. How did you fall for it?' "The irony is not lost on me. I'm the man who catches unwitting candidates out on The Apprentice! But scams don't prey on stupidity. They prey on timing. On stress. On distraction. They exploit trust. "That's why so many victims don't talk about it. Because it feels personal. It shakes something deeper than your bank balance. So here I am, not staying silent. " Fraud can happen to anyone. Even me. Even you." It comes as figures revealed Scots lost nearly £1m to cyber criminals in the last 12 months. The stats, from Advice Direct Scotland, showed how digital cons rocketed from only 94 in 2021/22 to 1,119 this year - an astonishing rise of 1,090 per cent. The national consumer advice service reported crooks using social media to target individuals, with scams soaring by 847 per cent in the last year - underscoring the vulnerability of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Email-based scams also rose sharply, climbing from 24 to 88 over the same period, while SMS scams plummeted by 75 per cent – down from 102 in 2021/22 to just 25 this year, as criminals switch tactics. Phone scams, meanwhile, remained steady, with 200 reported in 2021/22 and 202 this year. The financial impact of such cons reported to Advice Direct Scotland reached £861,384 over the past 12 months, with £338,758 lost in the past six months alone.
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Auckland Writers Festival special: Shilo Kino - All That We Know extract
To celebrate the 2025 Auckland Writers Festival, we've teamed up with New Zealand publishers to showcase some of the authors who will be on stage over the festival weekend. This extract is from 'All That We Know' by Shilo Kino, the award-winning writer's debut adult novel. Kino will appear at Soutar, on Friday May 16, 1pm; Tangata Tiriti For Te Tiriti, with Max Harris, Kirsty Fong, Avril Bell, on Sunday May 18, 10am; Writing Auckland, with Jeremy Hansen, Dominic Hoey, Alex Scott, on Sunday, 1pm; and Someone Saved My Life Tonight Nā Tētahi Ahau i Whakaora i Tēnei Pō, with Dominic Hoey, Matariki Bennett, Awa Puna, Miriama McDowell, Afra Atiq and Tina Makereti, on Sunday, 5.30pm.
