Grant Park Pavilion is the jewel in Forres Area Soccer 7’s crown.
Throughout the season which runs from February to October matches take place every Sunday with extra training sessions taking place throughout the week.
The Forres Area Soccer 7s provides football for children from 4 to 16 years old. There are four levels -Development 4s (4-6-years old), Super 5s (7-9-years old) Junior 7s (10-12-years old) and Senior 7s (13-16-years old).
Forres Area Soccer 7s started in 1993 with a fun tournament for local children. The success of the tournament led to the Club being formed.
Nowhere to call home
The games were and still are played using the school playing fields opposite Andersons Primary School at Grant Park. Originally we used an old ISO for storage of equipment and smaller items were stored in Forres House Community Centre.
After 13 years and with a growing club, the storage container was no longer suitable and we desperately needed extra storage space close to the playing fields.
In 1999, two Soccer 7s coaches formed FASDA (Forres Area Soccer Development Association) providing development skills for children aged 5 years to 8 years. Approximately 150 children took part in this scheme every year.
2006 saw these numbers grow with the introduction of Little Kickers for children aged 3 years to 5 years.
However, we still had no decent facilities.
2000 sign petition for new pavilion
In 1996 a committee was formed within the 7’s organisation to attempt to get a purpose built pavilion close to the playing fields. This would give much needed toilets, showers, changing rooms, storage and a kitchen. Unfortunately, even after a petition of approximately 2000 signatures from parents and local residents, the committee was informed there would be no new building at Grant Park. The council suggested the club contact the Grant Park Bowling Club to discuss and extension to their pavilion that the 7’s could use
Forres Area Soccer 7s and Grant Park Bowling Club came together to have built, a new purpose designed pavilion for both clubs to share in 2008/9. Construction of the building was completed in 2010.
Forres Area Soccer 7s ethos back in 1993 – and still today – “is to provide football for boys and girls regardless of their ability”