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Link Group grant a game changer for Grangemouth youth football team
As the excitement around the 2026 World Cup settles, our Community Wellbeing team reflects on the importance of nurturing the next generation of sporting talent with initiatives like their Link in the Community Fund.
The Fund was launched in 2023 to help grassroots organisations nominated by Link group colleagues access small grants designed to have big, immediate impact.
One club that felt this impact was Grangemouth Youth Football Club 2016s, with Coach Paul O’Hara explaining: “We started the team to give children in the local area the opportunity to play the game they love. We had a handful of players with no football kit or sponsorship, so securing these was our top priority.
“Being able to represent their team and their community in a matching uniform boosted their confidence and gave them a sense of belonging. We’re really grateful for this funding from Link Group and what it’s helped us achieve.”
One year on from receiving the grant, the team has gone from strength to strength, playing at an advanced level in the Central League, and some players even being monitored by scouts for some of the biggest clubs in Scotland.
Grant Alexander, Link Group's Head of Community Wellbeing, added: “For many young people, being a member of a local sports team goes beyond physical wellbeing. It plays a huge role in developing their confidence and teamwork, and means becoming part of a tight-knit community.
“It’s important to acknowledge that without small, community-focused clubs like Grangemouth Youth Football Club 2016s, the huge sporting stars we see in events like the World Cup might not have made it there. That’s part of why it’s so vital we support grassroots organisations that dedicate their time to helping young people and the communities they live in thrive.
“The Community Wellbeing team would also like to say a huge thank you to our colleagues who connect us to local organisations and help make the Link in the Community Fund as impactful as possible.”