KELTY Hearts Under-16 football team won the privilege of representing Scotland in the Coalfields Home Internationals against England and Wales, after winning the final of the Coalfields Community Cup.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust organised the Coalfields Community Cup knock-out competition at the Indodrill Stadium, in Alloa on Sunday (June 18), as a selection process for the Tri-Nations Coalfields Home Internationals

Kelty Hearts edged out a very powerful Tynecastle FC side, winning the final 3-2, but the Midlothian team will also feature in this year’s Coalfields Home Internationals in Wales in August, as each nation puts forward two teams.

Kelty’s Coach Gary Lindsay said: “The CRT put on a fantastic tournament which ran like clockwork.

“We recently paid a small fortune to enter a tournament in Blackpool where the organisation and facilities weren’t in the same league as the Coalfields Community Cup tournament.

“I’m immensely proud of our under 16 team who survived a real onslaught from Tynecastle for most of the match, but kept their composure and ended up scoring three cracking goals to Tynecastle’s two.

“The lads are totally over the moon at the honour of representing Scotland and already very excited at taking on England and Wales in Wrexham.”

Nicky Wilson, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: “Playing in the Coalfields Home Internationals can be a life changing experience for the youngsters who take part.

“We believe that an interest in sports can help young people develop their character, and give them an interest that will help them enjoy a life-long healthy life-style.

“I am sure both Kelty Hearts and Tynecastle FC will represent Scotland with pride and distinction in the Home Internationals”.

Tynecastle player Ally Jones won the Player of the Tournament while Lenzie Youth Club picked up the Team of the Tournament award.

• The Scottish Government funds the work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Scotland

• Our key priorities are supporting local initiatives to improve health and employment prospects for those who live in coalfields areas. 

• The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was formed in 1999 to help mining communities recover from the devastating effects of pit closures.  Since then the Trust has spent over £20m in Scotland supporting over 700 community-based and job creation projects in the hardest hit areas.

• For more information on the Coalfields Regeneration Trust go to: http://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk