What discussions it has had with the Scottish Football Association about how schools and parents can encourage children to become involved …

The Youth Football Action Plan implementation steering group, which includes the Scottish Football Association, sportscotland, the Scottish Government, affiliated national football bodies and a representative from local authorities, meet regularly to discuss the progress and direction of the action plan, which was launched in 2004 to increase participation levels in Scottish football. Player pathways, including the encouragement of young people to take up the game, is a core consideration of the group.
The Scottish Football Association, which leads the implementation of the action plan under guidance from partner members of the group, has instigated a series of projects that encourage school pupils to become involved in football. The SFA McDonalds Primary School Football Programme, which focuses on taking coaching into primary schools and creating new boys and girls teams within all participating schools, is a prime example. The Bank of Scotland Soccer One is another programme aimed at increasing participation. The scheme will make regular coaching and competitive matches available to all first year pupils, both girls and boys, across participating secondary schools in Scotland. Details of these and all Youth Football Action Plan projects can be obtained directly from the Scottish Football Association.
The action plan is being delivered with a total investment of £31.1 million, which includes contributions from the Scottish Government, lottery funding, the Scottish Football Association and local authorities.
In addition, the Scottish Government is investing over £2.5 million in the Scottish Football Association through our Cashback for Communities programme. This investment aims to offer school aged children opportunities to take part in football through community and school based activities rather than being involved in antisocial activities.