CREATING football activity for all age groups was an aim of Cowden In The Community, and as the second year of the project unfolds everyone from the age of 18 months to 80 is covered.

But it is not only football that is covered by CIC, mental health issues are very much also on the agenda.

Thanks to key funding streams, community football sessions cover children from 18 months to 12 years-old.

Tom Ewing, Cowdenbeath’s director with responsibilities for Cowden In The Community, explained that Tots Mini Kickers sessions sees children aged 18 months to three years-old introduced to the game; followed by Mini Kickers covering three to five year-olds, while Primary 1 to Primary 3 boys and girls get the chance to be coached as do P4 to P7 kids.

Walking football, for the over 50s, takes place every Thursday while on Friday nights there are free football sessions, in partnership with Game On Scotland, for youngsters aged between 12 and 18, at Beath and Lochgelly High schools.

Said Tom: “Thanks to funding streams from SFA support, we have our full-time development officer, Dean Ewing, along with Michael Stewart, working on building programmes to cover the various age groups.

“There has also been the recent Autumn Holiday Camps, which proved very popular with boys and girls and it is great to see so many young people enjoying their football experience.”

There is also the McDonald’s Programme for Boys, which is a free programme for five to eight year-olds and there will be one for girls next year.

“It is excellent to see so many people from all age groups getting the chance to enjoy their football involvement through Cowdenbeath In The Community,” concluded Tom.

“But the additional factor is that we have been able to help Andy’s Man Club get established in Cowdenbeath.

“It is a group that can provide space for men to talk freely about things that may be bothering them, in a room free from judgement, and to help with any mental health problems.

“The club meets every Monday night at Central Park, and around 16 in general, have been coming along.

“There is also a group known as ‘The Changing Room’, for men over 30 which is a 13-week programme which can help people with mental health concerns get assistance.”

Information on Cowden in the Community can be found their Facebook page or by emailing: cowdenbeathinthecommunity@gmail.com