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Minister launches European year of education through sport

Tuesday 10 February 2004

The Scottish sporting community is being given an excellent opportunity to become more integrated with Europe, Sports Minister Frank McAveety said today.

Endorsing Scotland’s participation in the European Year of Education through Sport (EYES) and launching the official website for the project at Hyndland School in Glasgow along with officials from the sport and education sectors, Mr McAveety said:

“ We believe that this will raise the profile of sport and education with the young people of Scotland in what is an exceptional year for European Sport. EYES will provide an excellent opportunity for the Scottish sporting community to become more integrated with Europe.

“ We firmly believe that the values which sport promotes, and those encapsulated by EYES, can help create a better society by increasing knowledge and skills levels; enabling young people to develop their physical capabilities and inclination to personal effort; and developing team work, solidarity, tolerance and fair play in a multi-cultural context.”

The European Parliament has designated 2004 as the ‘European Year of Education through Sport’. This declaration is based upon the belief that young people can benefit from:

  • Participation in sport for educational, social and cultural reasons
  • Using sporting activity as a vehicle for integration
  • Using sport and physical activity as a medium for developing and improving health
  • Sport as a contributing factor in improving standards of education, both formally and informally

It is hoped the initiative will encourage organisations, institutions and individuals working in the fields of education and sport to develop strategies that will contribute to the all round education of young people.

Projects funded by EYES 2004 will take place throughout the year to improve young people’s physical, personal and social knowledge and skills and to investigate and promote the benefits of sport to education, society and health.

Up to 12 UK projects will receive an average grant of £35,000 to pursue the aims of EYES 2004. Applications are currently being invited from local authorities and youth groups in Scotland.

Sports festivals, pupils exchanges, leadership seminars, outdoor activities, health camps and school-club link projects are just some of the projects that have already been suggested in the UK.

Councillor Steven Purcell, Education Committee Convener, Glasgow City Council unveiled their proposal for funding, to stage a conference that will be titled ‘EYES WIDE OPEN’, bringing together European partners to discuss, debate and exchange ideas across a range of topics relating to Education and Sport. Outlining the proposal he said: “The focus of the conference will allow partners to share good practice especially in the common areas of participation, retention and delivery of physical education and sport. Integration of vulnerable groups, improving health through education and sport are two of the topics that will be discussed at workshops.

“ Glasgow is delighted to be playing a leading part in the European Year of Education through Sport. I am sure that the year’s programme will help the children in Glasgow and throughout the European Union lead a more active, healthy life.”

Within Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Youth Sport Trust are overseeing the European Year of Education through Sport with the home and UK sports councils acting in an advisory capacity.

Commenting on the initiative Stewart Harris, Director of Widening Opportunities, sportscotland said: “Fundamentally, the sporting year of 2004 in Europe provides great opportunities for the EU, individual nation states, regions and individuals to promote learning through sport. The staging of the European Football Championships in Portugal and the Athens Olympic Games and Paralympics Games make Europe the focus of the sporting world for the whole year.

“ Such an array of events will provide the background to disseminate and explain sporting values to millions of young people. It will also create opportunities to share cultural diversity and promote practice in, and between, nations.”