Salmon farmer helps island football club reach its goal
Funding enables club to enter every competition for first time in two decades
A football club on the Isle of Lewis was able to enter teams in every league and tournament available to it last year for the first time in 20 years, thanks to funding from salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scoltand.
Lochs FC, which has represented more than a dozen villages on the Isle of Lewis since 1934, entered teams in Under 8s, 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s contests, as well as senior men’s competitions. All players were also able to wear the same kit at every age level for the first time in the club’s history.
Bakkafrost Scotland provided support through its community fund, including helping with travel costs and buying footballs, bibs, goals and training props.
The football club now averages as many as 70 children across all age groups, with up to four training sessions taking place each week and matches played at weekends.
Lochs FC represents all the townships in the Lochs area in the south-east of Lewis, with its home pitch in Leurbost. It caters for children as young as five.
Junior coaching co-ordinator Iain Macleod said: “We want Lochs to be a full participation club where the children learn not only football skills, but the value of teamwork, integrity, fitness and fun.
“We operate a subscription-based system that charges a low annual fee for participation and kit, but take our social responsibilities seriously by offering spread payments, cost reduction and multi-sibling discounts.
“Without sponsors, the vision of improved facilities, greater participation and community pride is simply unachievable.
“The long-term ambition for the club lies in community collaboration and participation – over-40s football, over-50s walking football, children participating and being fit and healthy and having positive shared values for life - all the while supporting a competitive and successful Lochs men’s first XI.
The value of sponsors like Bakkafrost Scotland is massive - for years, coaches were personally buying balls as we had too few, and paying for buses, etc
“The value of sponsors like Bakkafrost Scotland is massive - for years, coaches were personally buying balls as we had too few, and paying for buses, etc. The funding takes us to the next level in terms of equipment and the drills, fun, and challenges we set the players.”
Bakkafrost Scotland marine farm manager Donnie Macleod, whose ten-year-old son Magnus plays for Lochs FC, said: “Everyone in the area appreciates how much Lochs FC does for our community, particularly for our children, and I’m proud that Bakkafrost Scotland is able to provide this support.
“It’s a great example of us being able to help a really deserving community initiative that not only supports health and wellbeing but also develops the confidence and skills of our local young people.”
