Now open for applications, the SPOA Youth Sports Sponsorship programme will support four clubs in this first round of funding, with up to £1,000 awarded to each club. The money can be used towards new strips or training tops. With members all over Scotland, the SPOA is hoping to support youth sports teams from across the country.

Launched in his first week as President of the Scottish Plant Owners Association, David Jarvie is proud of the new initiative. He said: “The Youth Sports Sponsorship programme is something the SPOA has wanted to do for a while. Many of our members are involved in youth sports in their local communities in lots of different ways, from coaching to providing transport to games or providing financial support. It’s often a talking point when we get together along with the lack of support for grassroots sport for young people in Scotland.

“The SPOA is ideally placed to help. We have members from Shetland to Selkirk and everywhere in between. We are asking our members to get the word out and encourage youth sports clubs in their communities to apply for funding. It can be any sport from basketball to ballet, football to ultimate frisbee. All applications will be considered.”

The deadline for this first round of funding is 15th April and further rounds of funding will open throughout the year.

In return for SPOA sponsorship, the SPOA requests that its logo features at the club either on the team’s new kit, the youth club’s website or at the grounds, clubhouse or training venue where the club is based.

Youth sports clubs receiving sponsorship from the SPOA will feature in the SPOA’s communication channels including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, website and in the Association’s quarterly newsletter, The Sprocket.

Applications can be made here.