Farming faces support Rsabi football fundraiser

Well‑known faces from across Scottish agriculture are set to swap wellies for football boots and go head‑to‑head in a sell‑out charity tournament raising funds for the farming charity Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rsabi).

Spectator registration has now opened for the seven‑a‑side farmer football fundraiser, which takes place on Sunday 7 June at McDiarmid Park in Perth, the home of Scottish Championship winners St Johnstone FC.

While attendance is free, demand from within the sector has been so strong that team entries are now full, with a waiting list in place.

See also: Farmer demand for mental health support rises

Supporters are being encouraged to register in advance on Eventbrite to help organisers with catering, with hospitality packages and sponsorship opportunities also available for those looking to get further involved.

The tournament will bring together farmers, crofters and rural professionals from across Scotland, with a headline draw being the confirmed involvement of a team from BBC’s This Farming Life.

Familiar faces taking to the pitch include Callum Lindsay, Ally and Noah Williamson, Rob Smith and Adam Johnstone from Series 8, alongside Ben Imrie and Ewan Irvine from earlier series.

They will be joined by other well‑known names from Scottish agriculture, including farmer comedian and Rsabi #KeepTalking ambassador Jim Smith and social media creator Crawford Niven with his Crawford Farms team.

Teams representing rural businesses and professional services firms such as Bell Ingram, Gillespie Macandrew, Galbraith and United Auctions will also compete.

The event – organised with the support of programme sponsors Hamilton Ross and ball sponsors Gillespie Macandrew – is designed to do more than just raise funds.

Encouraging talk

Rsabi says it is also about encouraging connection, physical activity and open conversations around wellbeing at a time when many in the sector continue to face pressure and uncertainty.

Rsabi head of fundraising Pauline Macmillan said the response reflected a real appetite within agriculture to come together in supportive, positive ways.

“As well as being a great day out, this tournament is an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the support Rsabi provides and the value of looking out for one another across the farming community,” she added.

Scotland kick off their Fifa World Cup campaign against Haiti on 14 June as the 2026 tournament gets under way in North America.

Rsabi provides emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture, including a free confidential helpline (0808 1234 555), mental health support, and help during times of crisis or hardship.