Local primary school children from across Aberdeen City and Shire had incredible mornings of football this week, as the Tesco Bank Football Challenge visited the areas for a fun-filled festival at Cults Primary School, Aberdeen and Catto Park Astro-turf in Peterhead.

The 440 pupils from 6 schools are the latest to have taken part in six weeks of coaching sessions as part of the Scottish FA’s flagship participation programme and came together for finales to remember.

The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a five-year community programme run in partnership with the Scottish FA and Aberdeen FC Community Trust. The project introduces 20,000 children to football in Primary Two and Three (six to eight years old) across Scotland to help get them engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle.

More than 120,000 children across over 2200 schools in Scotland have now engaged with the country’s leading football participation programme. Teachers and volunteers continue to enjoy the Scottish FA’s in-service programme with more than 7500 now trained to support the growth of football in schools.

Hilary Gray teacher at Culter Primary School, said:

“The children have enjoyed a fantastic six weeks of coaching with the Scottish FA and today marks a perfect end to the programme. They have learnt so many important skills since taking part, and the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Scott Duncan, Scottish FA Football Development Officer, said:

“The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a brilliant initiative that we’re proud to deliver to schools across the country. We’re pleased to welcome the children to Catto Park for this latest festival after a great six weeks of coaching.”

Adele Mills, Community Investment Manager at Tesco Bank, added:

“It was great to see so many children from Aberdeenshire having fun today whilst keeping fit and healthy as part of the Tesco Bank Football Challenge.”

The primary schools attending the festivals were: Cults and Culter, Buchanhaven, Meethill, Dales Park and Clerkhill.