Giffnock Soccer centre 25 years of operation

That this House congratulates Giffnock Soccer Centre on a successful first 25 years of operation; notes that the club was started by just 14 parents to provide a safe, fun environment in which children aged 5-12 could develop their footballing skills and has grown to over 200 coaches and 1,200 children of all abilities including a separate girls section and a section for those with disabilities; further notes that the club used various East Renfrewshire facilities until it was able to acquire its own facilities at Eastwood Park and Norwood Playing Fields in 2014; recognises that the Club have been involved in the development of the local East Renfrewshire League, which began in 1995 with 23 teams and now provides non-competitive fixtures for 200 teams, with a Giffnock Soccer Centre representative on its Management Committee continuously since the beginning; further recognises that the club has worked with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on coach development and has retained its emphasis on providing football for all abilities, with some participants going on to make the grade in the senior game, including current Captain of the men’s Scottish National team, Andy Robertson, and others who began with the club as 5 year olds who are now helping to develop the next generation of footballers; and records appreciation that the club has forged very good relationships with East Renfrewshire Council, the SFA and local leagues and clubs to the benefit of thousands of children over the last 25 years.