Football Stars Back Meaty Challenge for Footballers

Street Soccer Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland encourage players to “Eat Well and Play Well”  

Hundreds of footballers have taken part in the Street Soccer Scotland Cup in the company of a former Scottish football star as part of a programme to encourage healthy eating.

Former Celtic and Aberdeen star Joe Miller was welcomed by hundreds of players from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Dundee as the exciting 5-a-side tournament also saw players receive a new healthy eating guide and access to information on health, personal development and employment & training.

Also backing the healthy eating initiative between Street Soccer Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland (Scotch Beef) are ex Manchester United star, Mikael Silvestre and current Hearts captain Danny Wilson.  Both players have shared their own favourite recipes in the new eating guide.

Jenni Henderson Quality Meat Scotland’s Health and Education Executive and nutritionist said: “Street Soccer Scotland works really hard to encourage and promote lifestyle changes for people using football as a platform to do this. Quality Meat Scotland, the organisation behind the Scotch Beef brand is proud to support such a worthy enterprise.

“QMS undertakes a range of health and education activities to help people see the benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet and living an active lifestyle.  Eating a healthy balanced diet is important for everyone to make the most of life - whether you are a professional footballer or just enjoy a regular five-a-side game. Working with Street Soccer Scotland, we hope to encourage those with an interest in football to see how easy it is to make simple changes to their lifestyles and eating habits so they feel healthier.”

David Duke, Chief Exec of Street Soccer Scotland said:  “For the last five years, Street Soccer Scotland has tackled social exclusion and poverty head on by using football as a vehicle for social change.  Thanks to the support of partners such as Scotch Beef, we have been able to engage with over 5,000 socially disadvantaged adults and young people.  Everyone at Street Soccer Scotland believes that it is vital to ‘fuel your body’ to not only achieve your best in sport, but also to lead an active, healthy life.

“We are very lucky to have some of our famous football friends in the booklet sharing their favourite recipes as well as top tips on healthy eating.  In partnership with Scotch Beef, we have created this booklet for our players and young people in order to highlight the importance of eating the right food as part of a healthy diet.”

The Street Soccer Cup is open to anyone who is 16+ and currently involved with projects working in the following areas:

·        Homelessness

·        Mental Health

·        Addiction

·        Youth Employability

·        Black and Ethnic Minorities