£10,000 in the kitty for Cumbernauld Colts

COLTS CASH: Some of the club's players are pictured with (from left) Susan Menzies of Sportsmatch, Stewart Mackenzie, and Network Rail's Scott Smith.

Cumbernauld Colts is a whopping £10,000 better off after Network rail contributed half that sum to the Broadwood based team and sportscotland matched it.

That cash will be used to ensure that the Colt’s highly popular community programme can continue to flourish, with a particular emphasis on “get them young”-style coaching sessions for primary school pupils.

Delighted club chairman, Stewart McKenzie, said: “We are delighted to receive such a substantial sum of money and our thanks go to both Network Rail and Sportscotland for their support and for their recognition of the benefits brought to children in the local community by participation in football.”

Network Rail, which has recently electrified Cumbernauld’s rail line and revamped its station, insisted it wanted to put something back into the community. The organisation has also been working to promote a crucial rail safety message.

Tom McPake, manager, Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme, said: “We’re delighted to work with Cumbernauld Colts to support youth development and the work the club does in the community. Through the Colts’ on-going community activities they will help us promote the benefits of rail and rail safety.

“We’d also like to congratulate the Cumbernauld Colts for their successful application for sportsmatch funding and thank sportscotland for recognising the fantastic efforts and enthusiasm of also those involved at Cumbernauld Colts.”

Louise Martin CBE, chairperson of Sportscotland, said: “We too are delighted to have supported Cumbernauld Colts through our sportsmatch investment. The project will help youngsters develop and progress towards taking part in club football.

“At Sportscotland we are striving to provide more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport and physical activity, and supporting a project like this will certainly help to achieve this goal,” she added.