Balls for all: Charitable school kids dribble all the way from Scotstoun to Hampden

Every single primary school class in Glasgow will receive a brand new football ahead of the Euros – thanks to 20 fundraising footy hopefuls who dribbled a ball all the way from Scotstoun to Hampden!

Article Source: On The Ball Academy
Last Updated: 4 June 2024 15:16

Image © Gibson Digital 2024

The event was part of the charity efforts of Scotstoun-based football hub On The Ball Academy who have pledged to raise £15,000 to gift 1,095 footballs before Scotland face Germany in Munich – which is 1,095 miles away from Glasgow – on June 14.

Founder and CEO Ryan Docherty, who joined the soccer starlets on their day of dribbling. played in the same Celtic youth team as Aiden McGeady and Charlie Mulgrew under the tutelage of the legendary Tommy Burns before giving up on his own footballing dreams to dedicate his life to improving the lives of young Scots through football.

He hopes this initiative, which is delivered in partnership with Glasgow City Council’s education department, will create a legacy for children in the city in the lead up to Euro 2024.

The 37-year-old, who is also head coach at Pollok FC, said: “There will be a lot of passion and enthusiasm from young Scots for football this summer – we don’t want anything to stand in the way of that.

“There are a lot of circumstances that can cause young people to take the wrong path. Through football, we want to support the community and help to transform lives, helping children across Glasgow overcome the challenges they face.

“Giving kids a ball seems like a small gesture, but resources are stretched and these balls will be played with by thousands and thousands of kids, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. This is opening the door to the positive life experiences football can bring, it’s about so much more than just about finding the next Andy Robertson – although that would be great too!”

Ryan, who holds a UEFA A License and UEFA A Elite youth licence, added: “We’re proud to be involved in this project with Glasgow City Council and couldn’t be more grateful for their support in making sure we can get the balls to the kids before kick-off of Scotland’s first game.”

Last year, the academy launched an employability programme to provide jobs for school leavers across the north west of Glasgow, and a clothes collection initiative which donated more than x bags of cold weather kit and boots during winter to benefit local children in need.

On The Ball, which delivers more than 1,000 free hours of coaching each year, serves as a feeder club to some of Scotland’s biggest professional clubs, with 25 of its members going into the professional environment at clubs including Rangers and Celtic.

Next Friday (June 14) on the opening day of the Championships, On the Ball will host a school festival for primary 7 pupils across Glasgow, facilitating football for more than 600 kids, including 150 young people with disabilities and additional support needs.

To find out more, visit www.ontheballacademy.co.uk

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