Fife Steel pass the test for Scottish charity award

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has presented the team with the charity number ‘SC050377’.

Achieving the status is no simple feat with the club having to undergo a robust charity test as well as demonstrating a benefit to the wider public, so all at the Steel are very pleased with the positive outcome.

With the status comes a few benefits in the ability to apply for additional funding not available without charitable status, as well as, hopefully, encouraging further engagement locally, or further afield, with a view to achieving new sponsorships which would help improve and progress the club even further in the national game.

The status does come with added responsibility though, not least stricter accountability in terms of club finances and how the club utilises the same.

It means a bit more necessary work for the volunteer committee and coaching members but all have a keen interest in seeing the club go as far as possible and are committed to its success in the long term.

The news on the charity status of the club follows on from the club’s return to regular, if limited and outdoor, training sessions. These have been mostly catered towards the younger ages groups, though sessions for the U18/Youth Men’s squad, have gotten underway last week.

There are still tight restrictions including completing a self screening form, the sanitising of hands before and after the session and the necessity for players to bring, and only use, their own basketball.

However the removal of the social distancing instructions while taking part in training has greatly improved the efficiency of the sessions.

On the day of notification of the charitable status award, coach and chairperson, Ross Hugh, took a few minutes out during an U14/16 training session at Balwearie outdoor courts for a quick photo opportunity with the players in training along with Coach Gavin Hugh and Youth Men’s Point Guard, Charlie Foy, assisting.

Go to the website www.fifesteel.co.uk for further information on the club and contact details.