1 in 4 children
live in poverty in Scotland which is an awfully large proportion of the total population.
Source: Child Poverty Action Group
Balls and Boots is a registered charitable organisation operating in Scotland. It was set up in 2020 with the aim of using football to help children living in poverty to get involved with football.
Now more than ever sporting activity can play a vital role in helping maintain mental, as well as physical health and well-being. Many families do not have the means to provide footballs, footwear or clothing for their kids to take part in games or have access to any form of skills coaching.
This is where Balls and Boots will help.
What we do
Our background is in sport and education and our board of Trustees all have extensive experience and expertise in their field.
We believe all children should have the opportunity to take part in the greatest game on the planet and experience the joy of being on a football pitch with their friends, old and new - and experience the thrill of kicking a ball.
We help individual children and small groups such as toddlers groups, youth groups and community activities by providing the equipment they need. In addition we will provide coaches to visit and help.
We are not able to supply kits for club teams although we will try to help as much as we can if a club is in need of some support.
We are based in the heart of North Lanarkshire however we cover the whole of Scotland. We now have the ability to support young people between the ages of 16 - 21 who want to follow a career in coaching.Within that pathway we can help with funding for courses and with work experience placement.Please contact us on the email provided.
Report into the need for kit to aid participation in football
Cost of kit an issue participating in grassroots sport Insights Report: The role of kit in community sportsSupport
"Many thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for the award of funding. Your support will help us continue to work with children in poverty !!"
"The children at East Fife Community FC looking extremely pleased and thankful for the new boots we donated recently. They were absolutely buzzing to receive them."
"A few of Kirkfield United 2014’s players, proudly showing off the new football boots we donated to their team."
"Christmas came early for our Carbrain Primary School football team thanks to our partners Balls&Boots"
"A huge shoutout to Colin and the team at balls & boots for their support to the team."
"We can’t wait to see the team in action in their new boots next season"
"Thank you to The Morrisons Foundation for the award of a grant to help our work ...amazing support !!"
"A message from Shared Access a partner from the beginning of our journey"
"Supporting East End Primary Elgin"
"We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Balls and Boots which will kick start with the launch of our after school football St Cadocs.
We look forward to working with Balls and Boots to develop a strong partnership along with the children of St Cadocs."
#whatarethechances
"People's Postcode Trust is a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of the People's Postcode Lottery.
Our organisation received £23350 from the Trust to allow us to provide children with football clothing, footwear, equipment and coaching as well as also providing greater stability to BallsandBoots. Thank you so much!"
"We are delighted to announce that BallsandBoots has been awarded funding by The Weir Charitable Trust which will allow us to reach more children in Scotland and help us build the charity for years to come. Thank you for our belief in us!"
"Thank you to Balls & Boots for supporting another one of our members again with a pair of boots. The young lad is delighted and couldn’t wait to try them out in training."
"A great turnout for the Active Recovery Moray football session at The Gleaner Arena today in the sunshine. A big thank you to Balls and Boots for sending up brand new kit for participants."
"We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Balls and Boots. Balls and Boots is a registered charitable organisation operating in Scotland. It was set up in 2020 with the aim of using football to help children living in poverty to get involved with football but now moving into basketball with us at North Lanarkshire Titans CIC.
Now more than ever sporting activity can play a vital role in helping maintain mental, as well as physical health and well-being. Many families do not have the means to provide footballs, footwear or clothing for their kids to take part in games or have access to any form of skills coaching.
This is where Balls and Boots will help. We are excited to make such a positive connection with Colin at Balls and Boots and we look forward to the future and making a huge impact!"
We received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and the People's Postcode Trust.Thank you.
Thank you to Kieran for donating this signed Arsenal top to help raise funds for the kids.
Scottish Charity organisation, Balls & Boots based in North Lanarkshire, and Elgin Sports Community Trust based at The Gleaner Arena in Moray, have formed a partnership to help children in poverty get access to football by providing footwear, clothing, equipment, football activities.
“I am delighted both charities have agreed to work together to help support and increase child participation in physical activity. Sport as we evidently know, plays a vital role in helping maintain mental, as well as physical health and wellbeing. The reason we wanted to join up with Balls & Boots was because of the great work and support they give to children living in poverty, and we feel working in partnership we can reach out to even more families across Scotland”.
Director of Operations, Elgin Sports Community Trust
Working together with the Dalziel Park Seniors Golf Team to help the kids.
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Barclays Community Football Fund, being delivered in partnership with Sported.
Thank you to Arnold Clark Community Fund for their continued support.
#whatarethechances
"Some unexpected gifts for our young people at our Sports Academy. Thanks to all involved and Balls & Boots."
Delighted to announce a partnership with East Fife Community Football Club. Looking forward to helping more kids get involved with football!!
"Thank you to all the children that turned up to our Easter Camp the past 2 weeks, also a massive thank you to Colin Campbell from Balls & Boots who provided a kit and football to all of our attendees."
Owner of McGinley Coaching
‘We made a delivery to the G71 Community Action Group in Tannochside, Uddingston. They do amazing work in the local community and we are delighted to help. Thanks to Jan and Jim for carrying boxes!’
"All of us at East Fife Community Football Club would like to thank Colin Campbell from BallsandBoots for providing us with this equipment that will be well received by young people who our local partners feel would benefit from these especially at this time of year. You have made 5 Christmases mate thank you."
Head of Performance and Development at East Fife Community Football Club
Our Partners
We work closely with a number of clubs and organisations. Their donations help us with the support and advice we offer.
Many thanks to The Barcelona Foundation for the donation.
In need of some help?
If you know of a child or group who would benefit from our help email us for a confidential chat on the address below.
ballsandboots@btinternet.com