Enhancing Scottish football: roundtable - terms of reference

On 7 August 2024 the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport convened a stakeholder round table meeting to discuss the future of Scottish football. This meeting, intended to be the first in a series, was in response to a Parliamentary debate on the subject of Enhancing Scottish Football, led by Ben Macpherson MSP, on 31 January 2024, and is intended to help take the game forward in a positive way. It was agreed during the meeting that draft terms of reference would be drafted by Scottish Government officials.

Purpose

The main purpose of the group is to provide a forum for discussion on significant issues which impact on or are relevant to the future and growth of the game in Scotland. The group should take and inclusive and equitable approach in setting its agendas, discussing the issues raised and ensuring relevant views can be put forward. 

The group has no budget and, as a group, has no decision-making powers beyond setting its own agenda and workplan. The group can, however, put forward ideas, proposals and recommendations for consideration by members of the group and by the Scottish Government.  

Whilst there is no set timescale for the operation of this group, this can be reviewed by the group at the end of 2025 along with membership and future outcomes. 

Principles

It is recognised that all members of the group share the view that they want Scottish football to be the best it can be from grassroots level up to the elite game and across all ages and demographics. It is also recognised that there will be differing views as to what this looks like and how it can or should be achieved, and that the meetings provide a forum to raise and discuss these matters. Similarly, the positive impact that football can have on communities and the unique position it holds in Scottish society are acknowledged as positive attributes that the group wish to harness for the benefit of all.

The members of the group will commit to respecting each other’s views and will seek to work collaboratively to find common ground where disagreements arise. 

Ways of working and communication

The group will meet up to four times during the period ending 31 December 2025, after which its purpose and remit will be reviewed. 

As far as possible, an agenda will be circulated at least one week before each meeting and notes of meetings will be circulated no later than one week after each meeting. Any member may propose items for the agenda.

It is recognised that issues raised by the group may be the focus of work ongoing elsewhere. It is proposed that for such issues, which may include facilities, alcohol at football, and the football regulator in England, the group may wish to have these as standing items for update at each meeting.   

Members are aware that information provided, papers submitted to the group, and minutes of meetings of the group may be subject to Freedom of Information Requests. Attendees may indicate when speaking if they wish specific comments not to be recorded. 

The Minister will chair the meetings and Scottish Government officials will provide the secretariat.

The group may also set up sub-groups to look at specific matters. A Chair for any such sub-group shall be appointed from the membership of the group.

Membership

Membership currently rests with the following organisations and individuals, although membership of the group will be kept under review and may change over time to ensure membership remains relevant and current. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they are aware of, and will feed in, views of other organisations/colleagues that they represent.

• Scottish FA (Ian Maxwell, Gary Booth)
• SPFL (Neil Doncaster, Calum Beattie)
• SWPL (Fiona McIntyre)
• SWF (Aileen Campbell)
• SPFL Trust (Nicky Reid)
• PFA (Fraser Wishart)
• sportscotland (Craig Burn)
• SFSA (Henry McLeish, Andy Smith, Stuart Murphy, Alastair Blair) 
• Iain McMenemy (former Stenhousemuir Chairman)
• Real Grassroots (Scott Robertson)
• SDS (Alan Russell, Louise Strutt)
• Neil Bibby MSP
• Ben McPherson MSP
• Gillian Mackay MSP
• Liz Smith MSP

Other organisations and individuals, including sector specialists, may be invited to participate in meetings, where appropriate and depending on the topics up for discussion.

Secretariat

The main contact for the secretariat is Duncan Mackay, Active Scotland (SG). 

Key themes

Suggested key themes for discussion by the group are set out below. These can be amended as new themes emerge or as those below are addressed:

• finance and funding
• governance and accountability
• fit and proper person test
• advancement of the women’s, youth and para games
• supporter engagement and inclusion
• facilities 
• match day experience
• stakeholder engagement and cross-party working group
• community engagement in support of national performance outcomes