Integration plans progressing for Islands Forum communities
Thursday 29 November 2001
The Islands Forum, in partnership with sportscotland, today announced progress in its aim to further integrate the island communities of Scotland with mainstream Scottish Sport.
During the launch of the Islands Forum in June, conducted by the Deputy First Minister Mr Jim Wallace MSP, a commitment was made to organise a series of planning workshops designed to produce a development strategy and enter into dialogue with key stakeholders in sport.
The first of these workshops took place at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore earlier this month when the Forum considered a number of issues including:
- The fit of Islands Forum principles for sport with the national agenda.
- The development of an Islands Forum strategy for sport including strategic objectives.
- Clarification of the roles of each of the individual partners of the Forum.
- Providing Islands Forum solutions to proposed investment by sportscotland in a National Integrated Coaching Network.
The Forum plans to take forward these and other issues as a matter of urgency and a number of strategic aims will be progressed before the end of this year. Longer- term aims include the possibility of professional staff support to co-ordinate key aspects of the work of the Forum and ensure the local delivery of its development plan.
Commenting on the progress made by the Forum Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "The level of co-operation displayed by the individual members of the Islands Forum is an example to us all in delivering true partnership working. Although the Forum is still in its infancy it is already clear that it is committed to working, not only with the members of the Forum, but also with other interested organisations to deliver greater opportunities through sport to island communities.
"We at sportscotland will provide all possible support to ensure that the Forum is able to deliver its aims and objectives reflecting the aims of Sport 21 which identified a need to provide greater encouragement to our remote and rural communities so that they become more integrated with mainstream Scottish sport."
A spokesperson on behalf of the Forum's six local authority partners, said: "The Islands Forum is intent on identifying common challenges and opportunities in the development of sporting opportunities for all of Scotland's islands. These may differ from island to island but the basic barriers of transport, accessibility and sparse populations are common to all.
"By coming together under the united banner of the Islands Forum we intend informing the Scottish Executive, Governing Bodies of Sport and the wider population that investment in the islands is a worthwhile objective and one that will encourage our integration into mainstream sport in Scotland."
- The six local authorities with islands – Argyll and Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council, North Ayrshire Council, Shetland Islands Council and the Highland Council in collaboration with sportscotland have joined in partnership to establish an Islands Forum.
- The key principles underpinning the development of the Islands Forum for sport are: Sustainable Development, Social Inclusion, Sports Equity
- The Islands Forum will seek to address four broad strategic aims: -
- Strengthening communication - establishing and enabling more frequent and effective communication between island communities in Scotland.
- Greater integration - developing greater integration for sport in island communities with sport throughout mainland Scotland. Developing proactive links with national sporting structures, including governing bodies of sport and the Scottish Institute of Sport.
- Profile and status - securing greater commitment and support for the development of sport in the islands.
- National programmes and strategic alliances - ensuring the islands have a meaningful role in the development and delivery of national programmes and projects and in facilitating national initiatives at a local level in island communities.