By Chris Mac
January 29 2006

We've been asked to do a little bit of advertising for a new project kicking off in Airdrie and as most of the users of the site, either play eleven a side or five a side i thought there may be some interest.

19 January 2006                                                                                                  PRESS RELEASE 

Fivez Fever comes to Airdrie

Fivez, who specialise in organising community football leagues, are teaming up with New Opportunities for PE and Sport (NOPES) to bring a new outdoor 6-a-side league to Airdrie which will kick off on Sunday 5^th March. Fivez have seen their profile increase dramatically in recent months after winning an Innovation Award from the University of Stirling. The community leagues are rapidly spreading across Scotland and are proving to be a big hit in improving the health and well-being of those that take part.

Teams taking part in the league, which will be based at St Margaret’s High School, will compete for cash prizes and trophies with the community league running every Sunday from 6-8pm. There is space for 24 teams to enter and teams will be split into three divisions depending on ability.

Teams will play an intense 30 minute match each week costing £18 and there are a huge array of awards on offer including: trophies or cash for winners, individual trophies for runners-up, top goalscorer awards, player of the season awards and a fair play award. Teams will also have the opportunity of playing against other teams from leagues across Scotland in Fivez’ national cup. 

Fivez Director Stuart Mitchell said, ‘We are delighted to have been offered the brand new facilities at St.Margaret’s High School and are keen to work in partnership with the NOPES initiative. Our leagues are organised for the benefit of local communities and the vast array of awards is sure to prove popular with local teams in Airdrie and the surrounding villages. Our website is probably the most in depth small-sided leagues site in the UK and our interactive forum is hugely popular with over 300 members. We aim to ensure that all teams get maximum enjoyment from playing, this makes all our hard work running and maintaining the leagues worthwhile.’

All matches are officiated by qualified referees while Fivez staff will attend the league each week to ensure the smooth running of fixtures and to deal with any queries or problems. There is no need for matching kit as Fivez provide bibs for those teams without kits. Anyone over the age of 16 can enter and you do not need to be an organised or established team, you may simply be a group of friends, work colleagues or mates from the pub. The league will be fully affiliated to the SAFA.

Local MSP Karen Whitefield said:

"I welcome any steps to improve the health of local people.  Unfortunately Lanarkshire has some of the worst health statistics in Scotland and it is vital that we encourage people to become more physically active.  I wish Fivez well on the launch of their new league in Airdrie.  This is a great way to use the new facilities at St Margaret's and open them up to the wider community."

The Big Lottery Fund has allocated £750.75 million for the New Opportunities for PE and Sport (NOPES) initiative throughout the UK.

Teams are advised to register online at www.fivez.net to avoid disappointment. Alternatively those with no internet access can contact Fivez on 01786 458015

For further info contact Stuart Mitchell. Tel: 07732 439 656