Over the course of 2015, AFC Community Trust (AFCCT) have increased the level of engagement with under-represented community groups, particularly those of an ethnic minority. Through the ‘Equity Project’, a Scottish FA Diversity & Inclusion Officer was appointed to oversee the integration of Aberdeen’s multicultural make-up within existing and new programmes.

Participation Centres are crucial to the project, providing weekly football to children in communities who may not have been previously playing for a number of real or perceived barriers. By providing an environment in which the children and their families feel safe and comfortable, AFCCT are able to ensure football is truly a game for all.   Four participation centres have been set up in 2015, through partnerships with various groups and organisations including the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre, Active Schools, Jesus House Church and the Sunnybank Community Centre. Through these, over 150 participants have taken part in weekly football sessions, approximately 100 of these children consider themselves to be of an ethnic minority background. The integration between different nationalities and cultures has been central to the work undergone.

As well as this, many of these children had only previously played recreationally with no link to the player pathway. A connection with a local grassroots club through the UEFA Captains of Change Project has now provided this.   Participation centres have proved very successful in 2015 and the next year promises to see even more of a positive impact made, changing lives for the better.