Network Rail and the Scottish FA continue their partnership as both bodies highlight the dangers of railway trespassing to under-18s through the beautiful game of football.

Open to both football club members and non-members, these particular workshops which regularly take place right across the country help to reduce the number of young-age trespassers on the railway network.

In between the training sessions on the pitch, Network Rail staff and the team coaches highlight the importance of how to stay safe when on or near railway property. Each player is also given a specially designed bib to wear with safety messaging written on it.

61 of these workshops were held in 2024 which saw 45,000 under 18s taking part in the sessions.

Since they began, the number of trespassing incidents by youths on the Scottish railway network has fallen by 15% when comparing the 2023 and 2024 figures relating to trespassing.

Since first partnering up in 2018, Network Rail and the Scottish FA have reached over 180,000 under-18s across Scotland.

“These workshops are proof that how we deliver our message matters just as much as the message itself. Together, we’ve turned railway safety awareness into an activity thousands of young people are engaging in.     

Electricity from the railway can ‘jump’ up to three metres – that’s more than the height of a full-size goal. Not only that, but it can take the length of 20 football pitches for a full-speed train to come to a stop. Trespassing risk lives and our message is clear – stay safe, stay off the tracks.”   

Network Rail Scotland health, safety and environment director, Innis Keith