Friday 30 March 2007
Scotland’s equestrian community received a boost today with sportscotland’s announcement of annual investment of £82,000, in the Scottish Equestrian Association (SEA) for 2007.
This investment, of which £37,000 is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards organisational development, player improvement, volunteering and coaching.
Developing the potential of young riders continues to be a big focus for the SEA and as part of the coach development strategy it has put a clear plan in place to guide riders, horses and coaches along the UK pathway. The Association is now working to strengthen this pathway by increasing the number of coaches working towards the UK Coaching Certificate.
Part of this investment will also enable the SEA to continue its popular introduction to riding programme throughout Scotland, incorporating their mechanical horse. Now in its sixth year, the initiative has introduced horse riding to over 6000 youngsters.
Another sport receiving investment today is the Scottish Target Shooting Federation, who will receive £95,000 for 2007. With many of Scotland’s top marksmen and women competing in Olympic disciplines progressing onto the UK World Class programme, the main focus of this year’s investment will be on re-building the national squad and providing training and competition programmes ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010. 2006 Commonwealth Games double gold medallist Sheena Sharp is training hard and aiming for selection for the European Championships in Granada, Spain in July.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “sportscotland invests in some 60 governing bodies covering a multitude of different sports. Today’s investment in equestrian and target shooting is a great example of the diverse range of sports we support, in our bid to increase participation and improve the performance of our athletes aspiring to the highest level.”
- The £82,000 investment in the Scottish Equestrian Association is made up of £37,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £45,000 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.
- The £95,000 investment in the Scottish Target Shooting Federation is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund.
- Athlete Support is administered through the governing body and supports the training and preparation programmes for elite athletes.
- All athletes who receive Athlete Support will be supported by the sportscotland medical scheme.
Identified athletes receiving Athlete Support
Scottish Target Shooting Federation
Sheena Sharp, Huntly, AB54
Sinclair Bruce, Linlithgow
Gordon Motion, Aberfoyle