Renfrewshire team scoops the SCIAF Shield

A football team made up of parishioners from local churches in Howwood and Johnstone scooped the SCIAF Shield.

The SCIAF Shield is a 5-a-side tournament that brings together teams for an exciting afternoon of community and sport - all in support of SCIAF's life-changing work overseas. 

The team made up of parishioners from Christ the King and St Aiden’s churches was led by Anthony Daly. The tournament was held at Goals in the southside of Glasgow.

Christ the King and St Aiden’s beat Tommy’s Bhoys from Croy to lift the trophy.

Captain Anthony Daly said:

“It was great to be there supporting SCIAF, which does such great work around the world. SCIAF of course gets much of its support from different schools and parishes across Scotland.

“We all really enjoyed the day – we were second last year, so it was great to come back and win this time.”

Also taking part in the tournament was a group of MSPs and former MPs, including Gavin Newlands who served as MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North from 2015-2024.

Gavin Newlands said:

“SCIAF has been close to my heart all my life. I really enjoyed the day, even though my football is not what it used to be!  The most important things was it was for a great cause, raising awareness and funds for such an amazing charity.

“My thanks go to our holy goalie Steven Bonnar MSP for keeping the scores respectable.”

SCIAF is present in the world’s most difficult places. We work with people in the hardest circumstances, so they can overcome their daily struggles and the structures of injustice that make and keep them poor. 

SCIAF’s Chief Executive Lorraine Currie said:

“This is our second year of the SCIAF Shield and we’re just going from strength to strength.  Well done to Christ the King and St Aiden’s for coming out on top!

“We’re living in really troubled times – the worst probably in many of our lifetimes – making our motto of ‘a better world in possible’ all the more important. We need to remain hopeful. By supporting SCIAF, by giving to SCIAF, we are giving hope to people who are facing really difficult times across the world.

“All of the funds raised on Saturday will go to our Emergency Hunger Appeal and will go to help those facing the most extreme hunger crisis in Africa. Well done everyone and thanks for making it a great day.”