6 million euros of benefit to North Edinburgh!

The Spartans Community Football Academy and Ayr United Football Academy were selected to participate in a UEFA pilot project to determine the tangible value of our participants and programmes to our communities. The study shows that we deliver millions of pounds of benefit to our local area - from savings in health care costs to volunteer programmes and investment in infrastructure. 

Following the success of the national study in 2018 that revealed that participation in grassroots football delivers more than €1.35bn euros of positive value to Scottish society, Scotland was selected as the first nation to benefit from the next phase of the UEFA GROW SROI model, focusing on community benefits. The model allows for a monetary value to be placed on mass participation in football across a spectrum of economic, health and social outcomes. This latest phase of the research shows that Spartans contribute more than €6 million euros in value to the local community, including:       

• €2.5 million euros from investment in infrastructure
• €1 million euros in value from volunteering
• €1.5 million euros value in subjective wellbeing 
• €170,000 euros in improved mental health 
• €100,000 euros in reducing Type I and Type II diabetes

The model, which is in the process of being rolled out to other countries across Europe, will now be made available to other community clubs across Scotland, with the intention of creating an online tool that allows clubs to input their own data to calculate their value to the local community. Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive commented: “This next phase of UEFA research is invaluable in proving that the benefits of Scottish football extend far beyond 90 minutes. We have been well aware for some time of the importance of Scottish community clubs to their local areas and this study now helps us put a figure on that. The fantastic work that Ayr United and Spartans undertake has long established them as a pillar of their respective communities and it is rewarding to see such impressive figures in vital areas such as health and mental wellbeing. Having access to this data will hopefully go some way to helping these community clubs to attract further investment, allowing them to improve what they offer to their communities and, in turn, growing the value that they provide.” 

Ben MacPherson, Minister for Public Finance said: “Football is Scotland’s national game and can be a powerful force for good in our communities. This report is an important piece of work, and the culmination of a unique partnership between the Scottish Government, sportscotland, The Scottish FA and UEFA over many months to produce robust evidence of football's contribution to our communities and society. The Spartans Football Club, including its charitable arm The Spartans Community Football Academy, is deep rooted in the community of north Edinburgh it serves, delivering a wide range of activity which is improving lives and life chances. As this report clearly states, the many programmes delivered by the Spartans family are helping people stay active, improve their physical and mental health, and tackle issues ranging from loneliness and isolation to education and community safety.”

Craig Graham, Chair of Spartans FC said: "The results of this fantastic study show the brilliant economic, social and health impact that football has on our community in Edinburgh – an impact that I am sure is replicated in the many superb community clubs across Scotland. With the study proving the remarkable social return on investment that clubs such as ourselves provide, hopefully a variety stakeholders will be encouraged to increase their financial support for Scottish football clubs so that we can continue to invest and improve the already remarkable work that we carry out."