Saturday 22 August 2008
Scottish canoeing was still celebrating the success of Olympic silver medallist David Florence when sportscotland added to the feel good factor by announcing a significant funding package to develop the sport in Scotland.
Attending the Grandtully Slalom event yesterday, sportscotland Chair, Louise Martin CBE, and Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell, announced that £323,619 would be invested in the Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) over the next 12 months.
Ms Martin said: “I am delighted to announce this funding package for Scottish canoeing and to congratulate the three talented Scots who competed in Beijing as part of Team GB. David Florence, Campbell Walsh and Fiona Pennie have all represented their sport at the highest level and through this investment, SCA can implement their plans to ensure that many more young Scots are given the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
“Scotland is blessed with the natural resources to enable people to enjoy canoeing and kayaking in all its forms. This funding will allow SCA to develop paddlesport across the board and to provide greater access to this exciting and popular sport.”
Typically forty per cent of the athletes on British slalom teams are Scots and Scottish Canoeing, keen to maintain that standard, have identified coaching as a key factor in developing the sport. Part of the investment from sportscotland will be used to create and implement a strategic coach development plan, supporting coach education and contributing to a regional coaching structure.
Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said: “Well done to David Florence, his canoe slalom teammates and all of the Scottish athletes for their outstanding performance in Beijing. The entire nation is proud of them.
“Scottish sport is really making a splash on the world stage at the moment and canoeing in particular is a sport in which we excel.
“This funding will provide vital support for our sporting stars of the future as we look to build on the success enjoyed in Beijing.”
Scottish Canoeing is now building towards London 2012 by identifying talented young athletes and providing them with the support they need to become the medal winners of the future. David, Campbell and Fiona have given performance canoeing in Scotland a great platform to build on and Scottish Canoeing is ready to capitalise on that opportunity.
Stuart Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Canoe Association welcomed the funding: “This investment by sportscotland will assist the Scottish Canoe Association to further develop the sport and to encourage greater participation in recreational as well as competitive paddlesport. David Florence’s silver medal at Beijing together with Campbell Walsh’s silver at Athens demonstrate that Scottish canoeists can and do excel on the world stage. The investment will further develop athlete pathways for the Olympians of the future in both Sprint Racing and Canoe Slalom.”
- In 2007 sportscotland invested over £10 million in 54 sports governing bodies
- The £323,619 investment in the Scottish Canoe Association is made up of £243,619 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £80,000 from Scottish Government sportscotland funding.
- All of the Team GB athletes competing in canoe slalom at the Beijing Olympic Games were Scottish.
- The Scottish Canoe Association is the governing body for the sport of canoeing and kayaking covering a range of disciplines including Sprint Racing, Slalom, Canoe Polo, Marathon, Racing, Freestyle, Wild Water Racing, Kayak Surfing and Touring and Canoe Sailing.