A GRASSROOTS Dumbarton girls football team say the £9,000 lottery funding the club has received will inspire the team and give them a ‘sense of identity.’

Dumbarton Girls United has been awarded grant money thanks to the National Lottery Awards for all of Scotland.

The lottery community fund, in partnership with sportscotland, was made possible thanks to National Lottery players across the country, who raise £36 million each week for good causes.

The funding can provide smaller amounts of money to sports clubs and physical activity groups.

The female side will use the cash boost to purchase kits to focus on girls and young women from Under 9s to Under 18s from Dumbarton and the wider West Dunbartonshire area.

Lydia Bigorgne, who is a committee member at Dumbarton Girls United, said: “The funding we received from the National Lottery Community Fund helped us to kit our younger team (U10s) and our brand-new team U12s.

“This will make our players proud to be part of Dumbarton United Girls but most importantly, with their new kit it gives the girls a sense of identity and an aspiration to follow in the footsteps of the older girls.”

Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of sportscotland, said: "This National Lottery funding awarded to clubs and communities across Scotland will provide incredible support and make a big difference for many projects.

"This funding would not be possible without the National Lottery players, and we thank them for their continued support.

"Throughout the years, the contribution from the National Lottery players has truly changed lives and supported people and communities to improve and grow.’’