They’ve heard the noise of the Tartan Army, boys.
During this World Cup, the Tartan Army demonstrated the kind of positive male role models many have long been calling for, writes Communications Officer Innes Burns.
To those that have, care for, or work with Scotland’s children, you wouldn’t be crazy to feel worry about the kind of role models that are emerging in today’s digital platform-centric world.
For a couple of weeks there in June, that all changed.
Scotland might have exited the World Cup earlier than we all hoped, but the nation was done proud by the incredible support from the fans. Tens of thousands of Scots took over Boston and the locals, it’s safe to say, fell in love with the kindness, humour and respect that came with the kilted invasion. Ordinary Scots felt what it was like to be a celebrity for a couple of weeks.
…and what a start made by fundraiser Craig Ferguson, who was greeted by thousands in Boston after completing his 3,000 mile trek from Los Angeles. He raised more than £1m for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).
This followed with Tartan Army groups donating tens of thousands of pounds to local charities in Boston, thanking them for hosting us. Boston’s Horizons for Homeless Children alone received over £10k, as did a grassroots football programme, Project GOAL, which helps underprivileged children get into sport.
The generosity of fans left a deep impression. Boston and Glasgow officially entered a sister cities partnership during the tournament, with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu citing the sharing of “rich histories, world-class educational institutions, vibrant cultural communities and a commitment to innovation and opportunity.” Scotland’s Parliament celebrated the partnership in a motion with cross-party support, citing the “exemplary conduct, vibrant culture and warmth of the Scotland football fans.”
The Boston Globe and the Red Sox wrote a full-page thank you letter to departing supporters. GoProvidence and the Rhode Island Sports Commission also donated $5,000 to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity as a gesture of goodwill in return.
The Tartan Army, in classic fashion, brought infectious energy that lit up the city.
The party atmosphere, marked by an overwhelming absence of hate and violence, started a love affair between two populations that will span generations.
Don’t believe me? Have a look at what FC Koln posted on social media during all this… longing for their beloved Scots after they had the exact same impact in Germany just two years prior. The famous ‘No Scotland, No Party’ was still sung by German football fans at this competition even after we were knocked out.
During a time when news seems to be dominated by conflict and division, what a breath of fresh air this was.
Why is this so important to children and young people? Well, children learn from the adults around them. They pick up on things they see.
The generosity shown, the respect paid to a place that wasn’t their own, the care taken to clean up after themselves, the good-natured way they celebrated victory and accepted defeat… it all made the Tartan Army exemplary ambassadors for Scotland and incredible role models for the children and young people watching from home.
Across our membership at Children in Scotland, we see these values in action every day. We try and help children and young people understand what positive participation in society looks like.
Take a bow, boys. You’ve come back down the road having done the nation, including an inspired generation of young people, incredibly proud.
Viva Scotland.
