Kids enjoy a day of football fun with soccer stars at Hampden

The Tesco Bank Football Challenge celebrated the end of the season with a national festival on the pitch at Hampden Park, Glasgow.

Scotland international and Heart of Midlothian player Callum Paterson and Scotland female international and Glasgow City midfielder Leanne Ross were on hand as the children, who have all taken part in six weeks of coaching with the Scottish FA, came together for a fun-filled finale at the National Stadium.

Callum and Leanne also went head-to-head in the first ever Tesco Bank Football Challenge penalty shoot-out competition, each captaining a team of mini football stars who took to the famous Hampden spot in a fun challenge to beat the keeper!

Over 100,000 children across every school in Scotland have now enjoyed taking part in the country’s leading football participation programme which aims to get Primary Two and Three children (six to eight years old) active through basic football skills. The children have the opportunity to take part in activities such as 4v4 games, ball skills and non-competitive challenges.

The UEFA Awarded Programme has also given additional training and support to more than 5,000 teachers through Scottish FA led in-service courses ensuring that football and sporting activity continues in schools after the Challenge moves on.

Callum said: “It has been a fantastic day here at Hampden, and amazing to see so many boys and girls have a brilliant time on the pitch. Initiatives like the Tesco Bank Football Challenge help instil the importance of an active lifestyle at an early age and also gives children memories they’ll remember for a long time to come.”

Leanne Ross said: “It was great to see girls and boys, being encouraged to have fun with football today. The Tesco Bank Football Challenge provides brilliant experiences for children across Scotland, which in turn hopefully inspires them to lead healthy, active lifestyles.”

Jim Fleeting, Director of Football Development at the Scottish FA said: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge National Festival at Hampden Park is always a great event. The programme uses the power of football to encourage children to have fun while developing a range of physical and social skills, and today’s event is a culmination of the work that has been going on all around the country.

“There’s nothing better than seeing children developing a love of the game, and to see them playing with smiles on their faces here at the National Stadium makes this event even more special.”

Adele Mills, Senior Community Investment Manager at Tesco Bank, added: “We’re delighted to bring children from Craigdhu Primary to Hampden Park for a day of football and fun. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is a key part of our Community Programme and what better place to inspire the kids to get active and have fun with their friends than at the National Stadium.”