The Award recognizes the contribution the football club make to the Community and through achieving the criteria for the award means that the club are now in a position to be recognized as one of the strongest clubs in Scotland with their coaches holding high level SFA coaching certification as well as demonstrating a safe, forward thinking and positive environment for all the children involved in the Club.

On hand to present the award were Mark Munro, SFA Regional Manager for the South East, Jim Fleeting, Director of Football at the SFA as well as Mark Lazarowicz MP and Councillor Elaine Morris.

Mark Munro, SFA South East Regional Manager stated “the Award recognises the hard work being carried out by the Club and reflects the high standards allowing them to progress further and increase participation.
We must remember that Scotland has one of the lowest totals, in terms of numbers of players as a percentage of population in Europe – less than half that of similar-sized countries such Norway.
“We also have one of the lowest ratios of players per club, at an average of 23, which shows we have a high number of one-team clubs – unlike our continental rivals whose ‘community club’ structures boast player averages in excess of 300.
“These are fundamental issues we need to overcome. Both the Youth Action Plan and within it, the Quality Mark scheme, are addressing the problem.
“The organisation, hard work and determination of a club like Spartans is a tremendous asset as we endeavour to provide football opportunities across the region.”

The Club which now boasts a thriving community programme as well as teams from U6s to adults for boys and from U11’s to adults for girls are also in the process of completing the Spartans Community Football Academy which is expected to open in September 2008. The Academy will include:
• a full-sized third generation artificial pitch plus an enclosed five-a-side artificial pitch.
• a fully enclosed grass stadium pitch which meets SFA criteria, has seats for 500 spectators and an initial overall capacity of 2,400.
• an all-weather basketball court.
• a club house incorporating 8 changing rooms (including two which meet Scottish Football League entry requirements), a physiotherapy centre, a club room and a board room/learning centre.

The Academy will provide a new home for Spartans FC and will be managed by the charity set up by the club. The Academy will be used by over 1,500 people each week, mostly local youngsters. Telford College, local schools and community groups will run programmes at the Academy in conjunction with Spartans.

Academy chairman Craig Graham said:
“We are excited about the Spartans Community Football Academy and we believe it will make a real difference to the lives of youngsters in north Edinburgh. We will use sport to increase physical activity, encourage teamwork and develop sporting and social skills.

The Club are waiting patiently for a decision from the Scottish Football League on July 3rd to see whether or not they have been successful in gaining SFL status for the new season.

There is an extra promotion on this weekend. Norwich Union has teamed up with Forth One to help you get votes for the initiative in the Community Sports Fund. Our initiative, The Spartans Community Football Academy, will be promoted both over the radio and on the radio station website. As an added incentive, those who vote will have a chance to win £500. To be able to win this money they will have to go to the radio station website. Follow the links to the Norwich Union promotion) and register their vote.

Each radio station will have a dedicated street team who will be out and about in the city centres for one day encouraging people to vote using manual voting forms. The proposed date for this is Saturday 21 June.

Please be aware that this promotion and the £500 prize are being provided by the radio stations, rather than Norwich Union. Therefore, it is only votes collected through the radio station website or the street team voting forms that will be entered into the free prize draw to win £500.

Click here to vote for Spartans and get a chance to win £500.