The Scottish Football Association (SFA) will revamp 300 Skills Centres across the country with the aid of investment from supermarket chain Lidl.

Funding from Lidl will go towards improved kit, equipment, coaching resources and marketing support at the centres, which give boys and girls aged five to 12 years-old the chance to participate in football in a “fun, friendly and safe environment”.

Around 300 Skills Centres – including girl-only facilities – will be improved by 2018. Lidl signed a three-year deal with the SFA last November for the naming rights of the grassroots Skills Centres.

In addition, Lidl will host a series of Family Days across three years which will give children a coaching taster to encourage them to join their local Skills Centres. The Royal Highland Show, which attracted 190,000 visitors in 2015, will be one of the events used to drive sign-up.

Jim Fleeting, SFA director of football development, said the partnership benefited grassroots football in Scotland.

“Lidl is a growing retailer, and its presence in communities all over Scotland will enhance the efforts of the SFA and our partners to encourage more young boys and girls to get involved in the game, and deliver great experiences in fun, safe environments.”