Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen’s Community Sport team created and launched a new Football for All project to provide opportunities for New Scots and refugees in the city to participate in weekly five-a-side football sessions.
The project launched in October 2023 and has been made possible Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP)’s Health Improvement Fund.
The project is designed to fulfil aims and objectives as set by the “New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy” to ensure every person can pursue their ambitions through education, employment, culture and leisure and activities.
Refugees from more than 10 different countries are currently living in hotels across Aberdeen and are prevented from working, with many having experienced significant trauma when arriving in Scotland.
The Football for All project was the perfect opportunity to deliver a targeted programme where sport and physical activity would have a hugely positive impact.
The two-hour sessions have taken place on a weekly basis at Fives Football in Aberdeen since October 2023, with monthly 11-a-side matches taking place at Aberdeen Sports Village.
The 11-a-side matches have provided an opportunity for New Scots participants to join local football teams, with scouts from local teams present to come and sign players at an amateur level at clubs like Glentanar.
The project has been a huge success so far with the sessions averaging 30 participants per week across the last seven months.
All regular participants have received some form of kit provision through Kit for All – another project Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team are involved in, helping individuals to access recycled and pre-loved sports kits.
Through a partnership with Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT), football shirts from a previous season were donated too.
The chance to spend time outdoors, socialise and exercise with fellow New Scots out with the hotel environment has proven successful in helping these individuals adjust to living in Aberdeen.
Mark Pain, Community Sport Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said: “The Football for All project has had a remarkable impact since its inception, and it continues to grow in popularity which is great to see. One of our Project Activator’s Kyle Munro has been instrumental in setting up the project, particularly through his connections and expertise in the local football scene.
“We are working closely with the New Scots community to help use sport and physical activity as a positive intervention to change lives for the better. We are thankful to everyone involved in the project and our partners, and to everyone who has donated kit – including the team at AFC Community Trust for the football shirts.
A placement student working with charity Asylum and Refugee Care (ARC), said: “Since the start of the Sport Aberdeen Football for All project, I have been observing the atmosphere within the hotels and I have witnessed a significant change in it. I’ve noticed that the individuals taking part in football every week appear happier and more confident. It seems that having a regular activity every week, something they enjoy, is providing them with a sense of purpose whilst being accommodated within the hotels – this is changing the overall atmosphere of the hotel.
“The men taking part are always very keen to go every week – they verbally express how much they enjoy it and are eager to sign up. Both Joe Coleman and Kyle Munro are extremely supportive and welcoming to all individuals and I believe this has made a significant difference to the men.”
“Giving the men this opportunity brings a sense of routine to their week – it builds friendships within groups who usually may not communicate and supports rebuilding their lives within Scotland through improving social skills and self-esteem. The football provides more than just a sport or activity for the guys to take part in, it provides a sense of self and community.”
A 24-year-old regular attendee believes that the five-a-side games are great chance to escape his stresses: “I have been in Aberdeen for five months now and I have been really enjoying it. When we came over to Scotland for the first time, we told we probably wouldn’t be able to play football. However, when we got here, we were given shirts, boots and the chance to play.
“I always really look forward to playing here every week. It can get competitive which makes it more fun. When I am in in the hotel, I always feel stressed. There is a lot to think about like waiting for documents and not having work. A lot of the people in the hotel have seen some horrible things from back home. It can be difficult. However, we all come here to play, we laugh and feel ourselves. It’s really good for us.
“When I exercise I feel good, all the stress leaves my body even for just a few hours. When I am lying in bed I struggle to feel happy. Getting to come out and play, I go back feeling so much better and more myself.
“I have made lots of friends coming here. That is including the Scottish guys who help us organise the football for us. When someone comes along angry or upset, they always try to cheer you up and make you feel better, it always helps me.
“Coming here every week has been really good to become closer with everyone and also to help us settle in. We all feel very lucky and excited. We are so happy to be here and to be playing football!”
Another 22-year-old attendee has also really enjoyed the Wednesday kick-about: “I have been in Aberdeen for around 5 months now and have been really enjoy it.
“The football has been fantastic, it has been really good to get out of the hotel and do something different. Myself and a lot of other people here have a lot of traumas from where we came from, being able to come here on a Wednesday helps all those memories wash away. It’s a great escape.
“I am very grateful to Joe, Kyle and everyone who organises this. It’s a great idea and has helped me greatly. Not only in for my physical health but also mentally. Before we started here, we didn’t really know each other. However, we get closer every week and it helps us away from the pitch as well. Right now, I have made a lot more friends than before and it’s been brilliant for me.
“The standard of football before was terrible but we get better every week to get the destination of where we want to be. We are definitely improving the more we play together.
“Every so often we play full 11-a-side games every which is really good. There are scouts from local teams who have picked up players. I was chosen by Glentanar which I was very happy with."