In November 2023, I started this project after seeing too many young people turning up to
\nfootball sessions in school shoes, worn-out trainers, or even their parents’ oversized boots. The
\nissue became clear during the monthly girls’ football festival I run at the Emirates Arena, which
\nbrings together 50\u201370 girls from local primary schools.<\/p>\n
After speaking with teachers and Active School Coordinators, I realised the problem was
\nwidespread across both primary and secondary schools. I launched an Instagram page to
\ncollect pre-loved football boots\u2014and the response was amazing. Parents, clubs, and
\ncommunity members began donating boots in great condition, mostly outgrown by fast-growing children.<\/p>\n
I clean, package, and label every pair before discreetly distributing them through teachers and
\nschool staff who know which pupils need them most. I also reach out to schools and Active
\nSchool Coordinators to let them know that if they were aware of any young people unable to
\naccess football opportunities due to lack of boots, they could get in touch, and I\u2019d do my best to
\nprovide a pair. I also bring a supply of boots to each monthly festival in case anyone needs a pair on the day\u2014and they usually go home with them, which is exactly the goal.<\/p>\n
Thanks to growing community awareness, I now receive a steady stream of donations from
\nvarious sources. One particularly helpful contributor regularly provides 20\u201330 pairs at a time,
\ncollected through a local Facebook group and sourced from football clubs and community
\nteams.
\nRequests for specific sizes come in every couple of weeks\u2014often to help young people join
\nfootball festivals, school teams, or community clubs. Donations arrive almost weekly now, and
\nit\u2019s been brilliant to see more and more people spreading the word and getting involved.<\/p>\n
One standout moment was supporting a Sports Leader at my school who was on trial with
\nPartick Thistle but struggling with worn-out boots. A friend had just donated a nearly new \u00a3245
\npair of Adidas Predators\u2014size 13, the exact size he needed. The smile on his face when he got
\nthem said it all.<\/p>\n
So far, I\u2019ve given out around 50 pairs and have another 50 in storage ready to go, others still
\nbeing cleaned and prepared. Every pair donated helps a young person take part in football with
\ncomfort, confidence, and dignity.<\/p>\n
About the Boot Project In November 2023, I started this project after seeing too many young people turning up to football sessions in school shoes, worn-out trainers, or even their parents’ oversized boots. The issue became clear during the monthly girls’ football festival I run at the Emirates Arena, which brings together 50\u201370 girls from local primary schools. After speaking with teachers and Active School Coordinators, I realised the problem<\/p>\n