Friday 30 March 2007
Scottish cyclists won a remarkable six Commonwealth Games and three World Track Championship medals in 2006 and with sportscotland’s announcement of annual investment for 2007, Scottish Cycling is aiming to build on that success.
The £304,000 investment, of which £189,000 is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards coaching, organisational and club development, player improvement and medal success, maintaining sportscotland’s position as one of Scottish Cycling’s biggest supporters.
The achievements of Chris Hoy, Craig MacLean, Ross Edgar, James McCallum and Kate Cullen in Melbourne has ensured that 2006 will be a year to remember, but Scottish Cycling knows the hard work needs to continue if Scotland’s next generation of cycling stars are to be given every opportunity to succeed.
One initiative is the Scottish Talent Team, which supports ten under 16 cyclists from road, track and mountain biking with coaching, training camps and racing opportunities. These youngsters also get the chance to work closely with the Great Britain cycling team enabling them to gain invaluable experience.
Scottish Cycling will also be working extremely closely with clubs throughout the country to develop athletes and increase the training opportunities available to coaches. New regional squads will also be formed with athletes receiving guidance from Scottish Cycling’s growing network of coaches.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “Scottish Cycling understands the importance of sportscotland’s goals of increasing participation while improving the performance of our top athletes and is making considerable strides to ensure that a strong pathway from grassroots to elite level is in place.
“The growth of Scottish Cycling’s network of coaches and their plans to work more closely with clubs and cyclists throughout the country is extremely encouraging and bodes well for the future.”
Jackie Meekison, Director of Operations at Scottish Cycling said: “This investment from sportscotland will allow Scottish Cycling to refocus its priorities and there is real potential to fundamentally change the face of Scottish Cycling.
“With the engagement of our network of clubs and key volunteers, we are confident of seeing rapid growth in the development of the sport.”
- The £304,000 investment in Scottish Cycling is made up of £189,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £115,000 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.
- 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
Gareth Montgomerie, Brighton, BN2 4BF
Kevin Stewart, Dundee, DD3 9AH
Ewan Clark, Dunscore, DG2 0TE
Kate Cullen, Edinburgh, EH6 8QT
Patrick Galbraith, Edinburgh, EH7 5LA
Evan Oliphant, Edinburgh, EH12 8XD
Jack Richards, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY
Calum McLean, Dunblane, FK15 0QB
Ross Yates, Killearn, G63 9QF
Duncan Urquhart, Watton, IP25 6HS
Magnus Davidson, Cromarty, IV11 8XA
Mark Sinclair, Dingwall, IV7 8JJ
Kenta Gallagher, Inverness, IV3 8JH
David Smith, Thurso, KW14 8YD
Shane Charlton, Cupar, KY15 4ND
Eileen Roe, Dunfermline, KY12 8SE
Aaron Murray, Glenrothes, KY6 3EP
Kevin Barclay, Glenrothes, KY6 1BB
Chris Hutchens, Oban, PA37 1QP
Kayleigh Brogan, Paisley, PA2 7DX
Jason MacIntyre, Fort William, PH33 6TX
Arran Gannicott, Selkirk, TD7 5HA
Ruaridh Cunningham, Galashiels, TD1 2DN