Ł24 MILLION FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
A series of measures designed to promote and develop youth football across the country were announced today.

First Minister Jack McConnell and Sports Minister Mike Watson were at the National Stadium in Glasgow to welcome the news.

· Lloyds TSB Scotland’s sponsorship of the Euro 2008 Bid, with its emphasis on getting youngsters to play football

· Ł24 million of new funding for school sports programmes

· the Executive assistance in the implementation of the recommendations for changes to youth football resulting from the SFA’s review announced today

Jack McConnell said: "I recognise football's particular place in Scottish sport, in culture and its impact on the economic and social well-being of many people. That is why we are so determined to do all that we can to secure Euro 2008.

"And we are doing all we can to ensure that as many children as possible can participate in football and sport at school and that they have access to facilities they need.

"As announced yesterday in Parliament, youth football will benefit from the Ł24m additional funds we are now making available to develop school sport through the Active Primary Schools and School Sport Development Officer programmes”