A FOOTBALL academy has received parliamentary praise for helping out-of-work Barrhead youths kick-start their careers.

Street League was commended in Holyrood after Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur submitted a motion paying tribute to the youth sports and employability organisation.

Organisers are currently overseeing a 10-week training programme for those aged between 16 and 24 which offers CV-building tips, teamwork guidance and the chance to earn qualifications.

The course has been rolled out at Auchenback Resource Centre, Barrhead Community Museum and Pro-Soccer Glasgow, in Giffnock, to help participants achieve their goals.

And it has proved to be so much of a game-changer that the country’s top politicians saw fit to praise the hard work of all those involved.

Mr Arthur, whose constituency extends to Barrhead, stopped by one of the Street League sessions to pass on his congratulations and present a framed copy of his parliamentary motion.

He said: “It was great to meet with the Street League team and present them with the motion I tabled in the Scottish Parliament which recognises their fantastic work in supporting young people into employment.

“I am pleased to have met the team and been able to recognise their achievements officially, and to offer my continued support.”

Organisers say around 40 per cent of the Street League timetable is made up of sports content involving football, basketball, tennis and badminton.

The rest of the 20-hour-per-week schedule incorporates employability group work focusing on interview skills, application forms and job searching.

Eilidh Quinn, Street League progressions co-ordinator, added: “It means a great deal to have this recognition from Tom and the other MSPs for our work in East Renfrewshire, and mainly Barrhead.

“This is a relatively new area for Street League and we couldn’t be doing what we’re doing without the support of local partners such as Skills Development Scotland and Job Centre Plus.

“We managed to support over 80 per cent of our young people into work last year and we hope to make even more positive impact this year.”

Chris Caldwell, operations manager for Street League Clyde West, added: “It was great to host Tom today and I would like to thank him and all of the MSPs who took the time to write the motion on our mission to support young people into work through the power of sport.

“It’s particularly nice to get positive feedback on our year-old Barrhead programme.”