The Scottish FA rounded off 2017 with an eight-figure pay-out with £10.3 million distributed to member clubs across the nation.
The payments support the growth of the game at all levels and are intended to reward member clubs for their dedication to core components of the Scottish FA’s strategy, including:
Development of home-grown elite players for club first teams and Scotland national teams;
Good governance;
Improvement of standards through club licensing;
Contributing to the achievement of “Strong Quality Growth” outlined within the Scottish FA’s strategic plan, Scotland United: A 2020 Vision.
More than £5.9m of revenue from the William Hill Scottish Cup has been distributed to participating clubs, derived from broadcasting, sponsorship and proceeds from the semi-finals and final.
Member clubs participating in the Club Academy Scotland, the Scottish FA’s youth performance programme, received more than £2m in investment. This figure included payment for members who achieved targets in Measurable Performance Outcomes, which focus on the development of talented young Scottish players while providing a pathway to first-team football.
Meanwhile, Club Licensing saw some £1.7 million invested in clubs, while Affiliated National Associations (ANAs) received nearly £300,000 in annual performance awards from the Non-Professional Game Board.
In addition, the Scottish Football Partnership (SFP), an independent organisation that aids Scottish football in grant funding projects, has been awarded a financial contribution for facility improvements. Member clubs will now be able to apply directly to the SFP for capital projects, which will assist in developing infrastructure and other related facility improvements.
Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said: “This substantial level of investment underscores our lasting commitment to developing the national game at all levels and recognises the hard work that our member clubs put in to the continued growth of the game.
“We are already starting to see clubs reap the benefits of our strategic vision and by investing in our member clubs we aim to further facilitate the progress that has been made in a variety of areas across the game – from grassroots football through to youth development via our performance strategy.”
Image: PA Images