Raith Fans Support New Youth Set-Up
Influential supporters’ group, The Raith Trust, has backed the new Youth Development Initiative at Stark’s Park to the tune of £6,000. This represents the latest part of an ongoing investment that now tops £21,000.
The deal, which raised the Trust’s shareholding to 3%, was unanimously agreed by Rovers fans at the recent AGM. The key factor was the assurance that the money would directly benefit the expanded youth set-up and therefore be part of a long term strategy to improve the fortunes of the club. Trust chairman, George Howie, explained, “We had been looking for the right opportunity to invest in the club when they came to us with a draft proposal for the Youth Development Initiative. After a bit of discussion and refinement we felt it was worth putting a proposal to our members. Their unanimous backing demonstrates the commitment of supporters to schemes that will help the long term future of the team.”
Howie added, “If the club is able to deliver this project as they outlined then this may be something that fans would look favourably on backing in the future. At the moment the trust is changing its structure to allow all Rovers fans to join for just a fiver. So if supporters keep getting behind the trust it should be in a similar position to help in the future. It simply demonstrates how much more effective fans can be when they work as a group.”
A club spokesman added, “The Raith Rovers Youth Development Initiative (RR YDI) launched this summer needs a number of things to succeed – skilled coaches, time, facilities, the backing of the community – and money. With the Raith Trust and other supporters groups leading by example, the financial support now forthcoming is a timely boost and shows how community backing can have a positive effect. Rest assured the money will be used wisely in the promotion of this vital aspect of the development of our football club. Everyone involved in the RR YDI is absolutely committed to its success. We thank the Raith Trust for their significant support, and hope that their example can persuade other local groups and businesses to get behind the initiative.”
The Raith Trust, set up in 2001, has quickly become an important part of the supporters’ scene. Over £30,000 has been raised in that short time and this latest contribution alone represents a quarter of the funding required to run the youth development project.
As of September it will cost as little as £5 a year (£1 for under 16’s) to join the independently run, not-for-profit society. More details can be found on their website at www.raithtrust.org.uk or by phoning their 24 hour message service on 0870 432 1987.
RRFC’s Youth Development Initiative, run by coaches George Gemmill and Ged Chapman with assistance from respected senior professional, Paquito, has expanded from last year’s highly successful Under 17 team to include Under 19’s, playing in the Fife League. This helps young players develop and acts as a stepping stone to first team involvement. In addition, squads at Under 15 and Under 14 age groups are now being formed so that the Raith Rovers’ coaches can aid the development of younger players still at their youth clubs from an earlier age. If the scheme gets the right financial backing there are plans to expand further down the age groups to help the club unearth the next Mickey Cameron or Stevie Crawford both of whom are now established Scottish Internationalists.
RRFC are still looking to attract commercial sponsors for this exciting scheme. Interested parties should contact Community and Commercial Manager, John Drysdale on 01592 263514 for more details.
