Erin Cuthbert teams up with Specsavers to launch Best Worst Pitch campaign to help grassroots clubs
Irvine footballer Erin Cuthbert has teamed up with Scotland team-mate Kirsty Smith in a new partnership with Specsavers.
The initiative, called Best Worst Pitch, aims to provide 50 teams who are most in need of a helping hand with things like professional line painting equipment and GPS pitch mapping, pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to help them maintain their pitches through the next season and beyond.
The announcement comes as UK football governing bodies have recently highlighted that maintaining grassroots pitches across the UK is one of the main issues facing the sport.
With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community.
It's a challenge Specsavers has seen up close, having renewed its sponsorship deal with the Scottish FA, to become the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner.
The deal will see the 24-year partnership continue for the rest of the season as Specsavers strives to support the growth of Scottish football in both the men's and women's game.
Erin, who is coming off a sixth successive Women's Super League title with Chelsea, said: 'I called my papa 'Net Man'. He's no longer with us but he was always there, two hours early putting the nets up and sorting the pitch out.
'It's little efforts like that that keep grassroots football alive. It's absolutely vital that we get it right at this level so that young players can improve and have a better chance of succeeding in the sport.'
Scotland team-mate Kirsty, who plays club football for West Ham United, added: 'Grassroots football is the heart and soul of the game. It's important that we back the communities and dedicated volunteers who keep it running.
'I remember how tough it was playing on a rough pitch, but it didn't hold me back, it just made me realise how important these pitches are.
'This is a campaign I'm really proud of – The Best Worst Pitch initiative will ensure that pitches are in the best condition possible so that everyone can enjoy using them.'
In addition to providing equipment, Specsavers is also offering training and education to the selected clubs, aiming to tackle some of the long-term challenges faced by grassroots teams and the volunteers who maintain their pitches.
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