7 Years Of The 7's

The launch of this season's Coca-Cola 7's, Scotland's largest schools football tournament, will take place at Kevin Keegan's Soccer Circus at Xscape, Braehead on Monday January 8th 2007 at 2pm.

The competition which has seen more than 35,000 players take part, is entering its seventh season and to celebrate '7 years of the 7's' former Scotland Manager Craig Brown will be lending his support to the tournament that is providing the stars of the future.

Also attending the launch will be the captain of the first ever winners of the boys' competition. Highly rated youngster, Kevin MacDonald of Dundee FC was the first captain to lift the Coca-Cola 7's trophy when he lead Carnoustie High School to victory in 2000. Kevin has gone on to play first team football with Dundee and has attracted interest from a number of Premiership clubs as well as both sides of the Old Firm.

To give some local youngsters a taste of the 7s, players from Trinity High and Renfrew High School will go through a skills session with the Coca-Cola 7's coaching team of Gary MacKay, ex-Hearts and Scotland star, and Chic Charnley, ex-Partick Thistle and Hibs player.

The coaches will be joined by talented ladies footballer, Kim Little, who has won the Coca-Cola 7's twice with her school Mintlaw Academy. Kim currently plays for Hibs Ladies and has been capped at all age groups for Scotland and is attracting interest from across Europe.

After the session with the Coca-Cola 7's coaching team Kevin Keegan will take the youngsters & media around Soccer Circus to test their skills.

Notes to Editors:

• 7 a-side football tournament for girls and boys, now in its 7th year of operation
• FREE to enter for all Scottish Secondary Schools
• Officially organised by the Scottish Schools Football Association & Coca-Cola in Scotland
• Schools can enter an unlimited number of teams
• Every player receives skills training by ex-professional managers/players
• 1st round played at venues throughout Scotland - over 7,000 players participating
• 2nd round played at selected SPL & SFL facilities - 1,600 players participating
• Regional Finals played at Lesser Hampden - 640 players participating
• National finals played at Hampden Park - 160 players participating
• Teachers' challenge match on Hampden Park at the Final - 36 teachers participating

'Coca-Cola' and 'Coke' are registered trade marks of The Coca-Cola Company.