As community football initiative expands, research considers impact on families

A pioneering study is looking at the transformative Extra Time programme, a partnership between the Scottish Football Associaton and Scottish Government

Man with foot on football standing on pitch
Stirling PhD student Thomas Buchanan will consider how Extra Time affects school attendance, children's behaviour and more.

As Scotland gears itself up for World Cup fever, a pioneering study is seeking to understand how lives in some the country's most deprived communities can be improved through the beautiful game.  

A highly successful programme that provides meals and activity to children via their local football clubs is the subject of a University of Stirling research project, as the initiative looks to expand. 

The Scottish Football Association’s Extra Time Programme provides out-of-school activity and meals to thousands of primary school children from low-income backgrounds. 

Launched in 2023, Extra Time is a partnership between the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Government, as part of its Best Start, Bright Futures plan to tackle child poverty in Scotland. Extra Time seeks to use the power of football to address food insecurity, unemployment and access to activities, for children and their families.

The partnership is currently in its third phase, which runs to March 2026, and involves 31 organisations. As part of its expansion to even more communities, the SFA is funding a PhD researcher at the University of Stirling Business School to look at what makes the programme so successful. 

PhD student Thomas Buchanan, under the supervision of the Business School’s Professor Michael Roy, is considering the community wellbeing impact of Extra Time, from widening children’s access to organised activities, to school attendance and behaviour, and enabling their parents to pursue training and find employment.  

Thomas, who has a professional background in leveraging football for community development, said: “I see football clubs as lightning rods of community action. In Scotland, nothing elicits the same fanaticism, devotion and dedication quite like football, and we’ll see that even more this year with the World Cup. But within the last decade especially, clubs have begun to realise their power for delivering social good. 

“This study is a chance for a look under the bonnet, to find out why Extra Time is so transformative and better understand how football acts as a vehicle for social innovation.”

man in black fleece with hand on shelf
Thomas Buchanan
PhD researcher
In Scotland, nothing elicits the same fanaticism, devotion and dedication quite like football, and we’ll see that even more this year with the World Cup. But within the last decade especially, clubs have begun to realise their power for delivering social good.

The Scottish Government recently announced it would expand the Extra Time programme, increasing from the 51 football clubs and trusts across 28 local authority areas currently funded, alongside broader expansion of after-school activities.

Participants in the programme confirm the positive effects of Extra Time. Derek Allison, Chief Executive Officer with Falkirk Foundation, said: “Extra Time has been one of the most effective programmes we’ve been involved in for supporting children and families who are often facing multiple pressures at home. Through regular football activity, a safe space, and access to food, we’ve seen improvements not just in children’s confidence, wellbeing and school engagement, but also in parents’ ability to focus on work, training or other priorities.

“Being part of a programme that is now the subject of formal research is hugely important, because it helps evidence what communities have been telling us all along, that football, when used well, can be a powerful driver of wider social change.”

Danny Bisland, Head of Public Affairs at the SFA, said: “Extra Time is just in its third year and in a short space of time we have seen incredible results. The direct benefits have included increased access to activities and helping tackle food poverty through food provision.

“But there have been unexpected, indirect benefits too. Kids seem more focused and happier, their school attendance and wellbeing have improved. That made us think we need to do a long-term study to understand what the benefits actually are. Thomas’s PhD will provide a clear picture of the effects of Extra Time on Scotland’s low-income communities and help steer our next steps.”

As well as being home to Stirling Business School, which is AACSB accredited for its excellence in business education, the University of Stirling is designated as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.