THE Scottish Youth Football Association and Show Racism the Red Card have partnered together to launch a national programme of anti-racism workshops.
The joint venture will operate the education programme for grassroots volunteers with the Scottish Football Partnership Trust funding the project.
Workshops will take place all across Scotland and will initially be accessible to Child Wellbeing and Protection Officers registered with the SYFA.
Every club working under the association is required to have at least one CWPO at all times.
The sessions - which begin with a workshop at Hampden Park on Tuesday, October 25 at 7pm - will focus on the causes and consequences of racism, the forms it can take, and how to safely challenge discrimination in the football community and in wider society.
Another key focus of the project will be to inform participants on how to report hate incidents to the relevant authorities.
Further course dates and locations will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Florence Witherow from SYFA said: “As an organisation, we wholeheartedly believe in the power that football has to break down barriers and foster inclusion across society.
"We see examples of this every week when young people from different backgrounds come together to train and play together on pitches all over Scotland.
“Unfortunately, amongst the positive, inspiring stories, we are seeing a distinct rise in the number of racist incidents at games involving our member clubs. These incidents are occurring both on and off the pitch.
"As such we recognise the importance of taking action and believe that education is the first step in tackling discrimination, wherever and however it manifests itself.
"We are extremely grateful for both the Scottish Football Partnership Trust and Show Racism the Red Card for their support on this project.
“As well as gaining key skills to foster respectful relationships and club cultures we hope that those who participate in these workshops will become champions withing their community.
"We hope that they will feel empowered to help welcome and include all people regardless of their ethnicity, faith, culture, or nationality.”
Chris Priestley from Show Racism the Red Card said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in this project with the SYFA and share their belief in the importance of active anti-racism.
"We’re also very encouraged that so many club officials will have this opportunity to improve their awareness and expertise.
“As the UK’s leading anti-racism education charity, we are in no doubt that lifelong learning on this subject is essential to creating and maintaining an inclusive culture at clubs, within the game as a whole, and throughout Scotland.
"We are all eager and excited for the project to begin and would encourage all CWPOs to sign up to a workshop near them."
