Fit for Football, Fit for Life

The New Football Pools has today joined forces with The Scottish Football League and announced an exciting new partnership that will tackle serious issues within the game.

Fit for Football, Fit for Life has received over £900,000 of investment by The New Football Pools for the multi-channelled scheme that will deliver young people’s heart screening, alcohol awareness training, U17 and U19 training as well as the donation of a Defibrillator to every football club across the leagues.

The New Football Pools became an Official Partner of the Scottish Football League at the beginning of the 08-09 season. Today at Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park, The Scottish Football League and The New Football Pools officially launched the scheme. 

The New Football Pools has developed a longstanding relationship with football and the community during its 85 years history. Ian Penrose, Chief Executive of Sportech PLC, owner of The New Football Pools said: “We are very fortunate to be in the position of supporting the nations biggest sport through our Pools products – the company has invested over £1.1billion into football and other good causes throughout its history. For 25 years, from 1975 to 2000, the pools companies were one of the only sources of external funding for British football and this can be seen here at Hampden Park which had £5million made available to assist the renovation of the national stadium. 

”With the re-launch of the Pools in the last football season comes a renewed commitment to fans and their communities. Today, we are delighted to build on this legacy ensuring The New Football Pools is even closer to the game that we have supported over the decades.”

Fit for Football Fit for Life will see all 30 Scottish Football League clubs work to support football at the under-17 and under-19 and increase training and participation. The scheme also aims to engaging young people in alcohol awareness training in order to educate and inform them of the dangers of alcohol misuse and the importance of health and fitness. Furthermore, Fit For Football, Fit For Life will provide young people’s heart screening, including the provision of a brand new defibrillator pitch side at every football club.

Speaking at the launch at Hampden Park, Scottish Football League Chief Executive David Longmuir said: “Health and well being are key within the football environment, and the Scottish Football League is delighted to have received this much needed support from The New Football Pools. This investment will go directly to support our young people’s football programmes throughout the country and will underpin three key strands of our Fit For Football Fit for Life strategy.

“We believe this new community citizenship programme will bring a renewed focus to community football and will allow clubs to continue the many excellent community programmes that are already in existence. The New Football Pools, over three decades, has contributed to many football related good causes and the support we are receiving today provides a significant investment which will benefit all thirty clubs across the Scottish Football League.”