Young players have opportunity to play at national stadium

The official sponsors of the Scottish FA match officials are offering a kids football team, aged between 6 and 11, the chance to follow in the footsteps of their favourite footballers with a surprise match at Hampden, Scotland’s national stadium.

Alongside the surprise special day at Hampden’s hallowed grounds, where they can emulate some of the world’s greats by playing within the stadium, Specsavers’ ‘Big Stage, Little Ballers’ campaign will see the selected team also receive new kit and equipment - to ensure the perfect kick-off to their league campaign.

The surprise visit to Hampden will see the selected team enjoy a day in the life of their sporting heroes, beginning with being bussed into the players’ entrance, having their kits laid out for them in the changing rooms and taking their place on the pitch for the national anthem before enjoying a bounce game.

All of this will lead up to testing themselves in a penalty shootout.

A legend from Scottish football will also be in attendance on the day to offer some hints and tips to the young players on how to improve their game.

Specsavers’ Arlene Stephenson, Scottish divisional chairperson, said: “Specsavers is proud of our long tradition in backing Scottish referees, but our latest sponsorship deal sees us going further than ever, helping to raise awareness of grassroots football within both the men’s and women’s game.

“Our ‘Big Stage Little Ballers’ campaign is all about giving a young team from Scotland the chance to emulate their heroes and play at Hampden, something that not many people can say they have done and ensure that they are kitted out for the rest of the season with football strips and training equipment.”

Those keen to put forward the team for ‘Big Stage Little Ballers’ and be in with a chance of scoring the dream day out and equipment for the team can do so by registering their interest via email at [email protected].

The deadline for entries is 11.59pm, this Sunday, October 2.