An innovative new project aimed at creating strong links between sport and learning was launched today by Walter Smith, ex-manager of Rangers and Everton Football Clubs.  The Life Skills Through Sport project is a partnership between Ross County Football Club (RCFC) and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network.

Life Skills Through Sport is designed to engage young people - and some adults - in learning, using football as the "hook" to grab their interest.  This will be done through the development of a series of youth and community initiatives which incorporate both football excellence and learning opportunities.

HIE and Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) will jointly fund the project for a year through a funding package of £342,890 with the potential for further assistance in the following two years.  Partners that will help to deliver the project include The Highland Council, Careers Scotland, Inverness College and Jobcentre.

The HIE network's funding is specifically targeted at new activities designed to send a clear message about the importance of learning, skills and qualifications to young people in the Highlands and Islands, including the 12,000 young people who are currently reached by Ross County's existing programmes each year.

Current initiatives at RCFC include Scottish Football Association (SFA) backed courses and holiday programmes, outreach soccer centres, schools programmes and the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships in conjunction with RACE.

Speaking at today's launch, Walter Smith, said: "In recent years Ross County has been at the forefront nationally of skills development, both of a football and non-football nature.  This has been recognised by the SFA who have rated RCFC as top of the league in the field of youth and community activity in Scotland.  I hope this project will be just as much of a success for them."

Also at the event Alex Paterson, director of Developing Skills group at HIE, said: "The development of skills and learning is vital to everyone and particularly for young people setting out in life.  For some, conventional approaches to learning do not work and it's important to find other innovative ways of motivating and engaging young people in learning.  This initiative, linking the development of Life Skills to a hobby or interest is an excellent example of this, and one which contributes to our aim of providing the best start for young people in the Highlands and Islands."

Neil Mackintosh, the newly appointed Life Skills Through Sport project manager, said: "This development programme will keep young people interested in learning, using football as the main motivator.  We will be looking to build on the current activities at RCFC and hope to reflect the success of similar initiatives elsewhere, including Ipswich Town, Norwich City and Rangers Football Clubs."