An initiative to provide free after school and holiday clubs for
families on low incomes has helped more than 3,500 children to
attend football and other sport sessions, increasing access to
sports and improving their mental health during its first year.
An impact report published by the Scottish FA shows a £4
million investment from the Scottish Government is
helping efforts to end child poverty by supporting parents and
carers to increase their working hours, thereby maximising the
effect of any financial savings, and has been especially
successful in supporting lone parent families.
The report also shows that the number of parents and carers
benefitting from the Extra Time initiative rose by 80% in the
first six months of the programme, with increased funding helping
thousands of children attend regular services which provide
childcare options for their parents.
Extra Time is a joint initiative between the Scottish Government
and the Scottish FA that provides funding for 31 local football
clubs and trusts to provide free access to before school, after
school and holiday clubs for targeted primary school children
from families on low incomes.
Attending the first anniversary celebration of the launch of the
project at Hampden Park, with Extra Time Ambassadors and former
professional players Stephen O'Donnell and Suzanne Winters,
Minister for Sport said:
“Extra Time is having a positive impact right across Scotland by
providing affordable and accessible childcare options in local
communities for thousands of families. The First Minister has
made clear we will continue to prioritise action to end child
poverty by removing barriers to affordable and accessible
childcare. This initiative will contribute to this.
”We know it is working for those most at risk of living in
poverty, supporting parents to maintain their current employment
or gain new employment.
“It is making a real difference for children and young people
too, with mental health benefits for participants – improved
confidence, happiness, and social skills – and the provision of
food at sessions is helping to tackle food insecurity and to
promote healthy food choices.”
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said:
“At the Scottish FA we regularly speak of the power that football
has to positively benefit society and the Extra Time programme is
a shining example of the social benefits that football is able to
provide off the pitch.
“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for their support in
delivering this programme over the past twelve months and look
forward to continuing our work on the programme to deliver
tangible benefits to families and communities across the
nation.”
Former Scotland Women's International and Extra Time Ambassador
Suzanne Winters said:
“Through my work with Queens Park Football Club I have witnessed
first-hand the incredible impact that this programme has had on
the families involved with it. It is a fantastic example of
football making a difference off the pitch.”
Former Scotland Men's International and Extra Time Ambassador
Stephen O'Donnell said:
“It is heart warming to see the children in this programme
enjoying their access to football through this programme while
also benefitting them and their families through the free
childcare.”
Background
Scottish FA Extra Time
Annual Impact Report
This Annual Impact Report is the first of two publications, with
a Process Evaluation Report due to be published in Spring 2025.
It was commissioned by the Scottish FA and published in
conjunction with evaluation partners, Substance.
