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Scottish FA launches Football Social Responsibility strategy
The Scottish Football Association has launched its Football Social Responsibility (FSR) strategy, backed by European governing body UEFA, detailing how the national game can have a positive impact on society.
The strategy will encompass social and environmental issues with the aim of promoting sustainability across 11 different policy areas. These areas include child and youth protection, equality and inclusion, and the circular economy.
“As the national association, we firmly believe that we have a responsibility to use the power of football to promote and develop sustainability to help ensure that society is equipped to deal with not just the issues it currently faces, but also the issues of the future,” said Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell.
“Football has an inherent ability to drive positive change across a wide range of crucial societal areas, many of which are rapidly evolving. It is incumbent upon us to use this unique power to lead, educate and inspire Scottish football’s wide array of stakeholders to help us tackle these developing issues.”
Adopting the framework of UEFA’s Strength Through Unity strategy, the Scottish FA has set targets across the 11 policies that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It is hoped the FSR strategy will inspire collaborative action across Scottish football among stakeholders at all levels, to address societal and environmental issues affecting the national game.
“As the national association, we firmly believe that we have a responsibility to use the power of football to promote and develop sustainability."
The Scottish FA will also look to minimise its own carbon footprint by implementing sustainable practices, concerning aspects from resource management to waste control. Further goals included positioning Hampden Park as a role model in sustainability for stadia across Scotland.
The strategy also highlighted existing Scottish FA initiatives such as the Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund, which supports facility projects prioritising sustainability, and partnering with Zero Waste Scotland to offer support to football clubs.
Further existing programmes also noted in the strategy include the delivery of a Grassroots Discrimination Online Reporting Tool, a partnership with LEAP Sport Scotland in implementing the Football vs Homophobia strategy, as well as the creation of the world’s first para-football Affiliated National Association, Scottish Para-Football.
The Scottish FA also outlined new targets in social sustainability including growing a diverse representation within Scottish football, integrating underrepresented groups within coaching and removing barriers faced by para-footballers.
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