An action plan to develop the youth sector in Scotland is among the projects being given valuable financial support under UEFA's HatTrick assistance programme.

Excellent programme
The Scottish initiative 'Many Players, One Goal' will receive a UEFA contribution of €1.6m, approved at the most recent meeting of the UEFA HatTrick Board in Nyon, Switzerland. The board agreed it was an excellent programme that should serve as an example for other national associations. In addition, €647,000 will be given to Denmark to help in the construction of eight full-size artificial-turf football pitches.

Grassroots help
The HatTrick board heard that under the ambitious HatTrick scheme launched in 2003, projects had been approved in 38 countries for an overall amount of €48m. UEFA is also promoting the installation of mini-pitches as a vital grassroots measure whereby young people will be encouraged to play football, especially in urban areas. So far, 31 mini-pitch projects in 28 countries have been approved at a total cost of €16m.

Three more years
The HatTrick programme will continue until 2008. Its objective is to assist UEFA's member associations with the funding of projects to develop and improve their footballing infrastructures. There are three main elements to the scheme: direct financial support in the form of one-off grants, payments for the construction of mini-pitches to commemorate the UEFA Golden Jubilee, and assistance with education.