Meeting of the Parliament 12 February 2026 [Draft]
Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. Thank you, Presiding Officer, and thank you to everyone who has contributed to this very interesting debate on the vital role that grass-roots football clubs such as Edinburgh South play in supporting and strengthening Scotland’s communities.
We covered many of the same themes during George Adam’s recent debate about the hugely positive impact that St Mirren has on its local community. What is evident, though, is that grass-roots clubs are just as important as professional clubs.
There are more than 2,500 clubs spread across the country, all providing opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity and be part of something that supports their mental and social health. Those community clubs do far more than simply develop players; they develop people. They give children and adults alike a place to belong, grow in confidence and build friendships that, as others have said, last far beyond the pitch. They teach teamwork, discipline, resilience and respect—qualities that matter just as much off the pitch as on it. For many young people, a coach can be one of the most influential adults in their lives, helping them to build character, confidence and self-belief.
Clubs are often run by volunteers, who give their time, energy and passion because they believe in what football can do. The dedication of the coaches, committee members, kit washers, drivers and parents standing in the rain keeps Scottish football moving forward. They are the unsung heroes who turn up long before sessions begin and leave long after they end, not for recognition but in the belief that football can change lives. Without them, our game would simply not exist.