Balls for all: Charitable school kids dribble all the way from Scotstoun to Hampden
Every single primary school class in Glasgow will receive a brand new football ahead of the Euros – thanks to 20 fundraising footy hopefuls who dribbled a ball all the way from Scotstoun to Hampden!
Article Source: On The Ball Academy
Last Updated: 4 June 2024 15:16
Image © Gibson Digital 2024
The event was part of the charity efforts of Scotstoun-based football hub On The Ball Academy who have pledged to raise £15,000 to gift 1,095 footballs before Scotland face Germany in Munich – which is 1,095 miles away from Glasgow – on June 14.
Founder and CEO Ryan Docherty, who joined the soccer starlets on their day of dribbling. played in the same Celtic youth team as Aiden McGeady and Charlie Mulgrew under the tutelage of the legendary Tommy Burns before giving up on his own footballing dreams to dedicate his life to improving the lives of young Scots through football.
He hopes this initiative, which is delivered in partnership with Glasgow City Council’s education department, will create a legacy for children in the city in the lead up to Euro 2024.
The 37-year-old, who is also head coach at Pollok FC, said: “There will be a lot of passion and enthusiasm from young Scots for football this summer – we don’t want anything to stand in the way of that.
“There are a lot of circumstances that can cause young people to take the wrong path. Through football, we want to support the community and help to transform lives, helping children across Glasgow overcome the challenges they face.
“Giving kids a ball seems like a small gesture, but resources are stretched and these balls will be played with by thousands and thousands of kids, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. This is opening the door to the positive life experiences football can bring, it’s about so much more than just about finding the next Andy Robertson – although that would be great too!”
Ryan, who holds a UEFA A License and UEFA A Elite youth licence, added: “We’re proud to be involved in this project with Glasgow City Council and couldn’t be more grateful for their support in making sure we can get the balls to the kids before kick-off of Scotland’s first game.”
Last year, the academy launched an employability programme to provide jobs for school leavers across the north west of Glasgow, and a clothes collection initiative which donated more than x bags of cold weather kit and boots during winter to benefit local children in need.
On The Ball, which delivers more than 1,000 free hours of coaching each year, serves as a feeder club to some of Scotland’s biggest professional clubs, with 25 of its members going into the professional environment at clubs including Rangers and Celtic.
Next Friday (June 14) on the opening day of the Championships, On the Ball will host a school festival for primary 7 pupils across Glasgow, facilitating football for more than 600 kids, including 150 young people with disabilities and additional support needs.
To find out more, visit www.ontheballacademy.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.
READ MORE
Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn
Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORE
Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry
STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
READ MORE
University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse
Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.
READ MORE
Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness
Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow
With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!
READ MORE
A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season
Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi
Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced
Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow
Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.
READ MORE
From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt
Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.
READ MORE
The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!
This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.
READ MORE
10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary
Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition
Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.
READ MORE
Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK
Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas
Glasgow Fort has teamed up with local charities to help raise awareness of the support they can provide to people of all ages experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at Christmas.
READ MORE
The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026
Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
This weekend Glasgow shoppers can win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift
This Sunday visitors to VEGA's Christmas Market have the chance to “unwrap the city” and win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift worth over £1,000!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links