Development Plan – Update Mar 2006

Executive Summary

Having identified the lack of opportunities, facilities and infrastructure in the north of Glasgow for young children (boys and girls) interested in football, members of Crosslands AFC established the North Glasgow Football Development Group (“NGFDG”) in May 2005 with the stated aims of “inclusiveness, opportunity and access for all, improving facilities, improving coaching and youth diversion through football.”

Immediate success was realised when by working closely in partnership with the local Councillor and the City Council, NGFDG arranged for the upgrading of 2 derelict 7-a-side pitches at North Kelvinside Playing Fields (“NK”) together with the installation of two sets of permanent goal posts on the site. This enabled NGFDG to meet its immediate target and focus of providing football coaching for children in the north of Glasgow covering North Kelvinside, Maryhill, Summerston, Ruchill, Milton, Springburn and Possil. NGFDG has now provided coaching for approximately 50 children with a regular attendance of between 35 and 40 (1/4 of whom are girls) between the ages of 4 and 12.

One of the main tenets of NGFDG is that all members should have access to the best facilities and equipment possible. By working in partnership with various organisations (including Glasgow City Council, North West Area Committee and BT Community Champions) and carrying out fund raising activities, NGFDG has raised over £4,000 since inception enabling the purchase of brand new equipment including footballs, marker cones, bibs, goal nets and a large storage container together with the 75% subsiding of club clothing for all members.

In addition to this, NGFDG has recently been successful with a major c£8,500 application to Sense Over Sectarianism. This funding will not only be utilised to cover costs associated with the continued provision of formal coaching sessions seeking to encourage inclusiveness, youth diversion, fitness and fun and improvement of skills (football and social) but will also facilitate the set up and running of football teams for boys and girls. Perhaps more importantly, this additional support will enable NGFDG to expand its current membership and attract people from alternative social, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds.

NGFDG has also identified medium and long term goals including the full upgrading of all the facilities at NK, the provision of multi-sport coaching and building of a permanent clubhouse at NK and activities continue apace in furtherance of these aims.

In parallel with these activities, Crosslands AFC has set up and equipped a second adult team for the 2005/06 season and the long term vision is that NGFDG and Crosslands AFC will provide a means whereby girls, boys and adults can all play football ‘under one roof’ at one location.

Current Structure of NGFDG

NGFDG is essentially an umbrella organisation consisting of Kids’ Coaching Sessions and Crosslands AFC – two complementary groups.

(a) Kids’ Coaching –

Approx 50 members (boys and girls)
Sunday afternoon training sessions with regular attendance of 35-40
11 qualified coaches (1 female)
Committee of 5
Raised over £12,500 since inception in May 2005

(b) Crosslands AFC –

Two adult football teams playing in the Glasgow and District Saturday Morning League and Greater Glasgow Premier League (afternoon)
30 members
Committee of 5
Turnover of approx £13,000 in season 2004/05

NGFDG Achievements May 05 – Mar 06

Setting up and equipping of second adult team for Crosslands AFC
Providing training facilities for two adult teams (30 members) at NK and Hyndland Secondary School
Successful launch of “Kids’ Coaching Sessions” for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 12 every Sunday for 1½ hours at NK – total of 50 members, approximately ¼ girls
Conversion of derelict hockey pitches at NK into 2 newly lined 7-a-side football pitches with permanent goal posts
11 qualified coaches
General fund raising activities enabling the purchase of training equipment together with the subsidising of club clothing for all members
Successful grant funding applications to:

Glasgow City Council North West Area Committee - £1362 towards purchase of a storage container
BT Community Champions - £100 towards general running costs
Glasgow City Council - £56 subsidy for coaching course attendance
Sense Over Sectarianism - £8460 to enable continuation and expansion of current activities of NGFDG
Milestones
The November 2005 Development Plan published by NGFDG identified various goals and targets which it hoped to achieve by 2010.

As at March 2006, the following progress against each of these can be reported as follows:

(a) Original Short Term Goals Dec 05 – May 06
(discussions ongoing with Glasgow City Council)

Location at NK of a storage facility for training equipment that is utilised for both children and adults
essential to ensure the maintenance and longevity of kit and will also alleviate the current space problems that prevents the purchase of additional equipment
[UPDATE MAR 06 – a successful grant application to North West Area Committee resulted in award of £1300 and container was purchased and delivered in Mar 2006].

Reinstatement and upgrading of existing perimeter fencing at NK
the current fencing offers a major Health and Safety risk as it does not prevent footballs running onto Queen Margaret Drive)
[UPDATE MAR 06 – advice from Glasgow City Council that this would cost in the region of £30-40,000. This advice, together with the fact that Glasgow City Council is considering the future of NK, has led NGFDG to discard this as a short term goal].

Connection/reconnection of floodlight system on 7-a-side pitches
if membership and attendance continues to rise then additional mid-week evening coaching sessions will be required which is currently prohibited by lack of light on the 7-a-side pitches

[UPDATE MAR 06 – advice from Glasgow City Council that costing would be contingent on work required which would only become clear on major investigation on supply and condition of current floodlighting provision. This advice, together with the fact that Glasgow City Council is considering the future of NK, has led NGFDG to discard this as a short term goal].

NEW SHORT TERM GOAL – secure assurance from Glasgow City Council regarding future of NK or identify alternative location
if Glasgow City Council is to classify NK as surplus to requirements then an additional location for the activities of NGFDG will be required
NEW SHORT TERM GOAL – development of a code of conduct that would apply to all NGFDG members
code of conduct will formalise the standards that are expected of all members and deal specifically with behaviour and actions etc which are unacceptable not only in terms of sectarianism but are otherwise anti-social or unwanted. It will seek to fully encourage tolerance, integration and total inclusion irrespective of social, racial, religious or cultural background
(b) Medium Term Goals Jun 06 – Dec 06

Formation of boys and girls football teams
age dependant but current profile indicates that possibly Under 8 and Under 9
[UPDATE MAR 06 – funding secured from Sense Over Sectarianism will enable this target to be met in time for 2006/2007 season]

Continue and expand programme of Kids’ Coaching Sessions on Sundays
this will not just be for players in teams, but will be open to all and will promote good health
[UPDATE MAR 06 – funding secured from Sense Over Sectarianism will enable this target to be met in time for 2006/2007 season]

Introduce mid-week training for team players
teams will require more specific training sessions if progress is to continue – but this will not be to the detriment of those not associated with teams
[UPDATE MAR 06 – funding secured from Sense Over Sectarianism will enable this target to be met in time for 2006/2007 season]

Move Crosslands AFC training from Hyndland to NK on Tuesdays
resulting in Crosslands AFC conducting 2 sessions per week at NK
[UPDATE MAR 06 – still under consideration by Crosslands AFC]

Upgrade coaching qualifications
includes Level 2, Club Coaches and UEFA licences
[UPDATE MAR 06 – funding application for £4400 has been submitted to Awards for All Scotland to cover the costs associated with attending the requisite courses]

NEW MEDIUM TERM GOAL

Encourage membership of NGFDG by people of people from alternative social, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds (especially targeting asylum seeker community); expand NGFDG activities in accordance with successful application to Sense Over Sectarianism
(c) Long term goals 2007 – 2010

Establish NK as permanent home for NGFDG and Crosslands AFC
Upgrade and replacement of all perimeter fencing at NK
Upgrade and replacement of playing surfaces to grass/synthetic surfaces allowing the facility to be utilised by the local community for multi-sport purposes in addition to football
Replacement of goals on 11-a-side park and installation of dug-outs
Build permanent club house facility at NK to include meeting room facilities
[UPDATE MAR 06 – Glasgow City Council is seeking to classify NK as surplus to requirements. These long term goals will be reviewed fully at the beginning May 2006 following meetings scheduled with Glasgow City Council.]