Ayrshire students benefit from Lottery funds

Wednesday 25 April 2001

Nearly 800 Ayrshire students will benefit from National Lottery funds announced by sportscotland today.   A total of £18,800 (over three years) has been awarded for the appointment of two School Sports Co-ordinators.

The sports co-ordinators will be responsible for increasing sporting opportunities for school children by developing extra-curricular school sport and integrating it with sport in the wider community.

Once co-ordinators have been appointed, their role will typically include developing and managing the extra-curricular school sport programme; organising teacher and coach development and education programmes; working closely with community clubs and associated primary schools; and monitoring participation levels.

Ayrshire beneficiaries include the East Ayrshire Council, who will use the funding to appoint a co-ordinator to work with four schools. The new post will supplement East Ayrshire's current programme of 10 co-ordinators.

Geraldine McWilliams, Quality Development Officer at East Ayrshire Council and manager of the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme, said: "We are obviously delighted that each of our secondary schools now has a sports co-ordinator and that one of our special needs educational institutes has now also joined the programme."

A new community school, Mainholm Academy in South Ayrshire, will also employ a co-ordinator following the award. The appointment is anticipated to have a significant impact on the local sporting scene, as Mainholm intend to strongly augment their sporting activities with wider community initiatives.

Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "All children should be encouraged to take part in sport and recreation. As well as the obvious benefits to their health, sport can also promote confidence, form friendships and offer an alternative to the many social distractions that exist.

"sportscotland has now invested over £130 million of National Lottery Funds in all aspects of Scottish sport including coaching, youth sport, sports facilities, top athletes and major events."