The Fife Football Partnership was Officially launched from Pitreavie Playing Fields on Saturday with the endorsement of the Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association, Gordon Smith, who attended the launch event along with East Region Ambassador Jim Leishman and Steve Grimmond, Head of Community Services for Fife Council.

Around 1,000 youngsters from throughout Fife kicked off the initiative with the added support of former Scotland internationalists, Gordon Durie and Paul Ritchie, as well as the Officials of the Scottish Youth Football Association, Mitch Agnew and Jim Cameron, and local MSP, John Park.

The Fife Football partnership brings together the Central and East Fife Soccer 7s, the Fife Soccer 7s, the Fife Football Development League, the Association of Fife Youth Football Clubs, Fife Council and the Scottish Football, all of whom through an agreed framework now provide a clear and effective player pathway for active participation within the sport for Children as Young as 6 years through to Youths to the age of 21 years.

Chairman of the Fife Football Partnership, Scott Forrest, said that "this will maximise opportunities for everyone in football in Fife to fulfil their potential"

"The pathway is for children to play Fun 4s at under 8s, 7-a-side football to 12s, then developmental 11-a-side to 15s and full 11-a-side from 16s to 21s. Everyone has signed up to this structure and it is proving to be an effective pathway"

"In addition, the partnership has brought together like minded organisations within Fife, with the remit that the various Groups provide support to each other to help foster, develop and promote football in the area"

The proposal to bring together the various Children's and Youth Football Associations in Fife was initiated by Fife Council / SFA Football Development Officer Gordon Forrest, who's aim was to get all the various Associations working more closely together and provide the best player pathway not only for Children and Youth Players, but also for Coaches, to develop in Fife.

Andi Campbell, Vice-Chairman of the Partnership said "after two years of hard work, everything has come together and with the continued support of Fife Council, the SFA East Region Committee and the Football Development Officers and the enthusiasm, drive and commitment of the Associations Players and Officials, the Fife Football Partnership goes from strength to strength"

The launch took the format of a presentation on the group by Chairman, Scott Forrest, and a further presentation on the Player Pathway and support and various initiatives undertaken by the Fife Council / SFA Football Development Officers in Fife, which was given by Fife Council / SFA Football Development Officer, Gordon Forrest.

Afterwhich, Jim Leishman, Steve Grimmond and Gordon Smith all offered their praise and support for the group, before the guests were taken on a tour around Pitreavie to see the various demonstration games from Fun 4s, Soccer 7s, Development Football and Fife Youth Football that were taking place.

Players representing various age-groups, also made presentations to the various guests to formally launch the group.

Around 3,000 plus Players are currently participating in Children's and Youth Football in Fife on a week-to-week basis. In addition, around 1,000 volunteer Coaches and Officials are involved at Club level. When combined with the number of parents and supporters, it is estimated around 5,000 people are actively involved in Children's and Youth Football in Fife.

The Partnership are now looking to enter discussions with local Senior Clubs, the Referee's Association, Fife Schools and Scottish Woman's FA Clubs from within Fife, with a view to enhancing communication between the various organisations in Fife.

In additional, the Group are currently seeking sponsorship from local businesses who would like to associate their Company Name with the Fife Football Partnership, which would allow the FFP to undertake various projects, programmes or initiatives that may positively benefit and influence Children's and Youth Football in Fife.