First Touch Football Project (Active Schools Glasgow)

The First Touch Football Project is Glasgow's Refugee and Asylum Seeker Football Programme, organised and delivered by the Active Schools Coordinators in Glasgow City Council Education Services' PEPASS team, part of sportscotland's Active Schools network. Every Friday from 4pm to 6pm at Nethercraigs Sports Complex, young people in S1 to S6 from secondary schools across Glasgow's South Side and beyond come together to play football, make friends and feel part of a community.

The project began after an unaccompanied minor arrived at St Paul's High School and the school helped them find a way to play for a local team. It provides football boots and equipment, helps young people apply for free bus passes, supports access to education, and offers a free six-week Glasgow Life gym pass with the chance of a fully funded six-month membership through PEPASS. Pollok United delivers football during school holidays, and some former participants have gone on to complete SFA coaching courses.

Children & young people, Refugees / migrants

Sessions are open to S1 to S6 pupils from schools across Glasgow; sign up through the online form linked from the PEPASS First Touch page, or ask your school's Active Schools Coordinator. Football boots and equipment are provided, and young people are helped to apply for free bus passes so travel is less of a barrier.

No safeguarding policy recorded.

“Friday Night Football has been incredibly valuable to me, as it has given me something to look forward to each week and the opportunity to play the game that I love. It has also allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds and be part of a project that supports young people, particularly asylum seekers and those from other backgrounds. - Mukhusin Mahmoud, former participant and now a qualified coach (published by sportscotland)”

• Qualitative or participant feedback