Lottery boost for grassroots development
Wednesday 25 February 2004
sportscotland Lottery Fund’s Junior Groups Programme is delighted to announce the latest round of awards totalling just over £69,000 to Triathlon Scotland and Scottish Women’s Rugby. For Scotland to achieve future sporting success on the international stage we must continue to support grassroots development and encourage our young Scots to realise their full potential.
With preparation for the 2004 Junior World Triathlon Championships now underway, Triathlon Scotland have welcomed their second year of funding from the sportscotland Junior Groups Programme. This investment of £39,021 will go towards delivering specialised coaching sessions and competition opportunities, enabling athletes to develop the core components of their sport.
Triathletes will compete in several competitions across the UK and abroad to gain the experience required to optimise their success at a junior level. By establishing clear competition pathways, triathletes can focus on raising the quality of their racing performances to help strengthen the sport in Scotland.
Two of Scotland’s most promising juniors Tom Jessop and Blair Cartmell have been invited to attend the GB’s pre-Olympic training camp in April. The camp will assist athletes in their preparation for selection to compete at the World Junior Triathlon Championships held in May. Jessup and Cackmal will be exposed to rigorous training sessions, focusing on enhancing performances in all three pursuits –running, swimming and cycling. Training with elite GB team will also provide youngsters with the opportunity to learn how to develop the essential skills to become a world-class performer.
Alister Russell, Junior Groups Coach said: “sportscotland’s funding for Triathlon Scotland has been tremendously beneficial in providing training and racing opportunities for juniors and in raising the profile of the sport within Scotland. The funding has also enabled us to provide coaches with the opportunity to extend their knowledge and expertise to help them identify and nurture future junior talent in Scotland.“
As Scotland’s women’s rugby team continue with their six nations campaign against Spain the following weekend, our junior women’s teams are celebrating an award of £30,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund Junior Groups Programme. The programme will aim provide juniors from U16-U23 years with access to professional coaching, regular competition fixtures and development camps to help improve player’s performance during their transition from a regional to national level.
Scottish Rugby Union accredited coaches including Scotland’s former international player Denise Fairbairn will be conducting coaching sessions and player development forums at the training camps to help inspire juniors to realise their full potential. Keen to pass on her knowledge and experience from competing in an elite environment, Fairbairn will teach youngsters the value of goal setting and how it can have a positive impact on future performances.
Beth MacLeod, Youth Development Manager Coach said: “The Junior Groups award from sportscotland is a massive boost for talented young players and we are certain that it will enable our squads to train and compete in an environment that offers quality facilities, coaching staff and sports science support. The existence of this programme is essential if talent is to be recognised and nurtured in order to achieve future world class performances in rugby.”
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said: “‘Sport 21’ – the national strategy for sport, identifies our commitment to establishing Scotland as a country that recognises and nurtures future sporting talent. To help bring this vision to life we must strengthen our structures for competition, coaching and talent development to improve the quality of opportunities and services available for our junior athletes.
“I would like to wish Triathlon Scotland and Scotland’s Women’s Rugby every success for what will be an exciting year of competition.”
- The Junior Groups Programme provides support to groups of talented young people participating in a co-ordinated programme of coaching and competitive events over a minimum period of six months.
- Applications for the following costs are considered for funding: facility hire, coaching fees, accommodation, travel, equipment and competition entry fees.