Forthquarter Super League for North Edinburgh United

Young people in North Edinburgh are set to benefit from a £2000 donation by National Grid Property, owners and developers of The Forthquarter at Granton. The developers have stepped in to help local youth worker, Kenny Cameron expand his successful Monday Night Super League.

North Edinburgh United’s Monday Night Super League has proved so successful with 16 to 22 year olds, that the model has been rolled out across West Lothian and Glasgow. The initiative, set up by Kenny with Gordon Pearson of Active Futures, aims to promote the fitness of young people, and simultaneously create a distraction from the problem of inter-estate rivalries.

Pc Stuart Fletcher, from Drylaw Safer Communities initiative, said local authorities were already working with youths to reduce disorder in the area when the Monday Night Super League was established. He continued to explain the police complaints regarding youths had gone down since the football league was set up, an encouraging sign rewarded generously by a £4500 donation to the scheme, from Edinburgh City Council.

The Monday Night Super League’s success is evident in the support from local organisations and businesses, and the creation of The Forthquarter Super League, aims to bring the same opportunities to a younger age group.

The donation from National Grid Property will enable Kenny to encourage young people aged 12-16 years to participate in The Forthquarter Super League, a new 5 a side football tournament for teams from Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, Fet-Lor Youth Club, Muirhouse Development Group and Granton Youth Centre.

 “We intend to start The Forthquarter Super League in the summer and this support means that we can fully commit to encouraging younger players to participate. Not having to worry about funding pitch hire and kit means we can concentrate on training the new team to match the success of their older counterparts” said Kenny.

Mark Rylance of National Grid Property commented, “We provided kits for North Edinburgh United last year and wanted to do something again this year. Kenny outlined his aims to build on the success of the Monday Night Super League by including a younger age group and suggested forming The Forthquarter Super League. Sport is an ideal way for young people to develop confidence in themselves and, as ongoing support has been key to the success of this initiative with the older age group, we are happy to do what we can to keep the momentum going”.