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Kelburn Primary School compete to support Scottish team

Wednesday 20 March

Today, a team of 20 year 6 and 7 pupils from Kelburn Primary School, Largs are taking part in the annual North Ayrshire Primary Schools Sports Hall Athletics Competition and raising funds for the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team competing in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July this year. All the youngsters have been sponsored for every point they score whilst competing against seven other teams in a range of indoor track and field events and last year scored over 500 points.

"We also hope it will encourage the youngsters to take part regularly in a sporting activity."

Having raised nearly £150 for the Team in 1998, the school has once again decided to support the Commonwealth 200+2 fundraising campaign, which is asking people whatever their age, interest or ability to take part in a sponsored activity with a sporting theme.

Head Teacher Christine Macauley said: "It is good for the children to be involved in an event of national significance and here at Kelburn we are keen to encourage the kids to be involved in anything to do with sport so are happy to be able to support the Scottish Team through school sport."

The Commonwealth Games is the largest multi-sport event where Scotland competes as a nation in its own right, providing a unique platform for our country to perform. The athletes will be taking part in 16 of the 17 sports featured at the Games, these are; Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling (including mountain biking), Gymnastics, Hockey (women's), Judo, Lawn Bowls, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland is working with over 250 of Scotland's top athletes across the 16 sports, helping them to achieve their dream of representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester this summer. However it will require in excess of £450,000 to professionally prepare and send the team to the Games, all of which must be generated through sponsorship, donations and fundraising events.

Louise Martin, Chairman Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said: "Preparing more than 200 athletes to perform at their best in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester is an expensive venture. The money raised through initiatives such as Commonwealth 200+2 can make all the difference. Participation from schools, sports clubs, organisations, individuals and Scottish businesses is essential to help us ensure that Scotland is able to send the best prepared team ever to compete alongside the other 73 nations taking part in the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

"We are delighted with the support from Kelburn school pupils and hope they will follow our athletes' progress in Manchester knowing that they have done their bit to support the Team. We also hope it will encourage the youngsters to take part regularly in a sporting activity."
The Bank of Scotland are also supporting the team and commenting George Mitchell, Treasurer & Managing Director of Bank of Scotland said: "Local enthusiasm and support are what make the Commonwealth Games special. Fundraising efforts like this will help equip and train the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team for this summer's Commonwealth Games in Manchester. On behalf of the team I would like to thank staff and pupils for their contribution."

Two Kelburn pupils have also been nominated to run a leg of the Queens Jubilee Baton Relay when it comes to Scotland between 8-12 June 2002.

  • You are invited to send a reporter/cameraman/photographer to the North Ayrshire Primary Schools Sports Hall Athletics Competition at the Magnum Leisure Centre, Harbourside, Irvine, KA12 8PP, Wednesday 20 March 2002 between 1.00pm - 2.30pm where Kelburn Primary School pupils will be taking part in the competition.
  • Commonwealth 200+2 is an awareness and fundraising campaign aimed at schools, clubs, businesses and individuals, whatever their age, interest or ability, encouraging them to take part in a sponsored activity or event with a sporting or Commonwealth theme involving the number 202 in some way.
  • The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) is responsible for selecting and preparing the team representing Scotland at the Games and is financed through sponsorship and fundraising activities, and grant support from sportscotland. The 2002 Commonwealth Games will take place in Manchester 25 July - 4 August.
  • In December 2000 Bank of Scotland announced its second time sponsorship of the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team for the Commonwealth Games. The Bank's sponsorship specifically funds coaching and preparation for the team to help improve our athletes' medal chances.
  • Bank of Scotland is the largest commercial sponsor of youth sport in Scotland and this year over 12,000 young people will take part in youth development projects supported by Bank of Scotland.
  • Bank of Scotland recently merged with Halifax plc to create HBOS plc. With 25million customers, 60,000 staff, 3.1m shareholders, 1,100 branches and 3,600 ATMs HBOS is the new force in banking - to find out more visit www.hbosplc.com
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