Youth deal set to boost grass roots football in Ross-shire
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ROSS-SHIRE youth football is being driven forward thanks to a newly unveiled sponsorship deal.
The "landmark" deal for the Moray Firth Youth Development Football League has been welcomed by a stalwart of the game in Ross-shire as a major boost set to make "a significant difference" to grass roots football in the area.
The deal involves scottishvauxhall.com, which consists of Vauxhall retailer group Mackays of Dingwall, Autovision in Inverness and Regency Car Sales in Buckie and Elgin.
The business is family owned andhas been in the motor trade for over 85 years.
From the start of the 2012/13 season, the league will officially be known as the scottishvauxhall.com Youth Development League.
The agreement includes a provision of brand new kits for each of the 12 clubs as part of a wider initiative from the Scotland national team sponsor Vauxhall, which is aimed at increasing participation of 12-18 year olds in football.
Muir Mackay of Mackays of Dingwall, said: “We are delighted to be announced as the official sponsors of the scottishvauxhall.com Youth Development League.
“We have been proud supporters of football in the area for a considerable period but this opportunity really helps us to take things to the next level.
“Being able to supply all of the teams in the league with brand new kits is something which we are very excited about and look forward to seeing on the pitches throughout the area.
“The dropout rate of footballers in this age group is a significant issue and hopefully we will be able to make a significant difference and help the game of football in Scotland for many years to come.”
Tommy Reagan from the Moray Firth Youth Development League, commented: “We are very grateful to scottishvauxhall.com for their support for youth football in the area.
“The investment will make a significant difference to grass roots football in the area and we look forward to working with them throughout the programme.”
scottishvauxhall.com have also recently announced an increase in their sponsorship rights with Scottish Premier League side Ross County.
The Vauxhall Youth Programme initiative follows extensive research conducted by the Scottish FA highlighting a significant drop-out rate of players in this age group at secondary school due to the increase in pressures of exams, part time work and social calendar.
