Wednesday 13 December 2000
Hundreds of Scottish children are to benefit from a series of awards made to junior development programmes around the nation by sportscotland Lottery Fund.
"If we want to see Scots winning at European, World and Olympic level, we must provide support for our youth now..."
As part of the Junior Groups Programme, sportscotland Lottery Fund has announced over £350,000 of awards to Edinburgh Leisure, Scottish Fencing, the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association, the Scottish Triathlon Association, Scottish Gymnastics, The Scottish Table Tennis Association, the Royal Yachting Association, the Scottish Equestrian Association, Gael Force Ten and Activ-8 Grampian.
The awards go to programmes set up for juniors who compete at district and national level. The funding helps provide for coaching, sports equipment, training facilities, competition costs and sports science support.
Ian Robson, Chief Executive, sportscotland, said: "At sportscotland we are determined trying to create a nation where sporting talent is recognised and nurtured.It is no use just relying on raw talent, we have to provide an environment which gives children the best chance of fulfilling their potential. That is what the Junior Groups Programme is all about. If we want to see Scots winning at European, World and Olympic level, we must provide support for our youth now and give them every opportunity to succeed in the future."
- Edinburgh Leisure has been awarded £25,000 to assist with Junior Development Programmes in swimming, tennis and volleyball.
- Scottish Fencing has been awarded £24,195 to assist with year three of their junior excellence programme. Last year sixteen children on the programme reached the last 8 at the British Youth Championships.
- The Scottish Amateur Swimming Association has been awarded £39,600 to enhance its Scottish Junior Elite and Youth Squad Programmes. Scots won 14 medals at this year's Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh.
- The Scottish Triathlon Association has been awarded £30,410 for the second year of their Junior Squad Programme. Last year three athletes broke into British junior teams.
- Scottish Gymnastics has been awarded £40,000 for year three of their Junior National Squad Development Programme. Last year the programme provided 10 athletes for Great Britain Junior Teams.
- The Scottish Table Tennis Association has been awarded £39,993 for year three of their Junior Performance Project allowing them to build to this year’s European Youth Championships.
- The Royal Yachting Association Scotland has been awarded £33,300 for their second year of the Scottish National Junior and Youth Sailing for enhanced UK and International Performance.
- The Scottish Equestrian Association has been awarded £38,752 for their new Equestrian Junior Groups programme. The coaching staff will include four-time Olympic medallist Ian Stark.
- Gael Force Ten has been awarded £30,627 to enhance its Gael Force Junior Development Squads. The award will enhance coaching and competition opportunities in six sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, hockey and sailing.