It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of Craig Devine, a long-serving committee member of Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic FC, on Wednesday 22nd May 2013. We believe that Craig had been involved with Bonnyrigg Rose for over 20 years, and understandably he will be sorely missed by the club. We offer our sincere condolences to his family. We are also extremely grateful to the club for allowing the scheduled cup final, the Tom Wilson Memorial Trophy, to proceed tonight at New Dundas Park. Players, officials and spectators will, no doubt, remember that it is people like Craig who give so much time for the game as the two teams compete for a trophy named in memory of another of local football's stalwarts.

My name’s Elizabeth Ann, and I’m working on a project called Generation 2014 which aims to find 50 young people living in Scotland who will have the right to vote in the 2014 Independence Referendum as 16 and 17 year olds.   That generation of young people, who are now between 14 and 16, are enormously important.  But who are they and what do they think?  The aim of the project is to track the lives of these of young people up to and through 2014 by identifying a diverse and representative cohort drawn from across Scotland’s different communities and track them across a range of platforms (TV, radio and online). There’s a great range of opportunities for the kids who are selected. They'll learn how to make content for Radio, TV and online, appear on shows across the BBC networks and get to take part in great events throughout the year.
We have gone down the local authorities route, and application forms have gone out to secondary schools across Scotland.  However we are keen to make sure that we get a fully representative group  - a mix of young people with different aspirations, interests and issues - and so want to reach out to youth groups across the country.
We are hoping you could forward our information, and the attached application form, to any kids in the SYFA that might be interested. We would be keen to chat to any group leaders and help them encourage potentially suitable candidates to apply.
Deadline for applications is 20th May 2013 so any help you can give to spread the word to as many young people as possible would be greatly appreciated. Click here for the Application Form. [pdf 392KB]

Congratulations to Tynecastle FC who won the Scottish Youth FA 16s Challenge Cup, beating Clydebank United BFC by 4 goals to nil, at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Congratulations to Hutchison Vale FC who won the Scottish Youth FA 15s Challenge Cup, beating Dundee United SC by 3 goals to 2, at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Congratulations to Tynecastle FC who won the Scottish Youth FA 14s Challenge Cup, beating Albion BC by 1 goal to nil, at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Congratulations to Spartans FC who won the Scottish Youth FA 17s Challenge Cup, beating Giffnock SC Thistle by 5 goals to nil, at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, on Sunday 5th May 2013.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of Charlie Adams Snr,  coach of Edinburgh South Reds 15s, on Sunday 5th May. The SERYFA  and Lothianbuses.com SE Region 15s~19s Youth Football Leagues committee members offer their sincere condolences to his family, and also to the players for whom he gave so much of his time and knowledge of the game.

The Gasteiz Cup tournament will be held in Vitoria, northern Spain circa 160km from Santander, between 7th and 13th July 2013. The tournament is open to boys (b 1997 - 2003) and girls (b 1994 - 2002). Details on their website click here and here.

The date for the annual Craig Gowans Charity Match, Hutchison Vale vs. Old Firm Select has been confirmed as Sunday 16th June 2013. Further details will be published as they become available. Poster is viewable here. [pdf 340KB]

This tournament will be run over 9th/10th/11th August 2013. Details and application form can be found on their website at Barrheadyfctournament.co.uk (still to be updated for 2013 event)

The 1998s SYFA Squad selected to play against South Queensland Select at Toryglen, on Sunday 25th November, was as follows:

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of SYFA Chairman Jim Dolan on Friday 3rd August 2012. Jim was also SYFA Central Region secretary and secretary of the Lanarkshire Youth Football League.

Soccer City is a state of the art indoor football complex. Offering a great 5 a-side and 7 a-side footballing experience, for players of all levels, from kids to professionals. Based at Mayfield, on the outskirts of Newtongrange, it is the only facility of its kind in the Midlothian area. Being only 5 minutes from the City Bypass and just a stone’s throw from both the A68 and A7, Soccer City is easily accessible to all in the Lothian and Borders areas.
At Soccer City there will never be any worry of games being called off due to rain, snow or frozen pitches. Also you will never need worry about games being ruined by gale force winds.
We expect Soccer City to be open early in the New Year and in the meantime we have started a waiting list, so if you want to guarantee your preferred time slot please contact us as soon as possible.

Small Grant Funding For Midlothian Community Groups

Grants of up to £1,500 are available to community groups benefiting Midlothian residents.  This grant has been made available through the Small Projects Regeneration Fund. Details for interested groups can be viewed here (pdf 7 KB).

ARE YOU PLANNING ON TAKING YOUR TEAM TO A TOURNAMENT?
WANT TO GENERATE FUNDS FOR A NEW KIT OR TRAINING GEAR?

Whatever you need funds for, a sure-fire way of generating the money you need and have a fun time is to organise a RACE NIGHT!

Minimum cost for maximum profit. As an example, a night with around 60 guests can generate £600 profit!!

If you are interested in using my services to host an event or want more information on what’s involved, give me a call on 07788 753351 to discuss further.

Please note that this offer is published here purely for clubs' information and neither endorsement nor recommendation of the offer by the SERYFA is made or implied.