Kerrs skate to success with sportscotland funding

Wednesday 10 August 2005

Leading ice skaters John and Sinead Kerr have received a welcome funding boost from sportscotland, as the countdown to their Olympic dream begins.

The ice-dance duo have returned to Scotland from America this week, fresh from a coaching session with Christopher Dean, himself a Olympic gold medallist alongside partner Jayne Torvill. John and Sinead accepted the award of £20,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund as they begin their preparations for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Following their impressive twelfth place finish at the World Championships earlier this year, the pair from Livingston automatically gained selection for the Winter Olympics in February 2006.

The brother and sister pairing, who were inducted into the Scottish Institute of Sport this year, also finished eighth in the European Championships at the beginning of the year, and have their sights firmly set on a top ten finish at the Winter Olympics next year in Turin.

With such an important Olympic selection year ahead for winter sports, I am sure that the Athlete Support programme will make a significant contribution to enable athletes to receive the best possible preparation to fulfil this goal

The athlete support award of £20,000 from sportscotland is the largest ever received by the Kerrs in recognition of their impressive string of results in top class competitions over the last 12 months. The funding will assist their preparations in the run up to the 2006 Games, and help cover competition costs ahead of their Olympic bid.

John and Sinead, who are currently 20th in the World Ice-dancing rankings, have devised a performance plan in association with the National Ice Skating Association (NISA). Whilst this plan and the sportscotland investment targets preparation for the 2006 Games, the long term focus and goal is for them to peak at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

As the duo start their rigorous training schedule ahead of Turin, the award has been made at now to best prepare them for the season ahead.

Acknowledging the award, John and Sinead Kerr said: "We have just returned from an intensive training trip to America, as we begin our preparation for the Winter Olympics next year. We have enjoyed a successful year in 2005, and are keen build on that next year. Important training trips abroad are only possible due to the backing from sportscotland. It will enable us to undertake the best possible training and preparation programme ahead of Turin."

Snowsport Scotland has also received an investment of £194,630 from sportscotland which includes £61,630 athlete support, £41,000 to the high performance coach position and £12,000 to performance coach development. Given the specific climatic conditions associated with training and competing within snow sports, the athlete support funding will support travel expenses, coaching and individual development programmes as skiers prepare for selection for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Julia Bracewell OBE, the new Chair of sportscotland, said: "We are committed to developing and supporting our athletes performing at elite level to reach their full potential and achieve on the world stage. With such an important Olympic selection year ahead for winter sports, I am sure that the Athlete Support programme will make a significant contribution to enable athletes to receive the best possible preparation to fulfil this goal.

"I am delighted in particular that John and Sinead Kerr have again made significant strides forward this season. We hope this funding will help them fine tune their preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games. I wish them well and hope they can build on their recent successes at both the World and European Championships."

• Athlete Support is now largely administered through the governing body. It is a funding programme which provides a seamless, integrated pathway for the development of emerging talent. It support the training and preparation programmes for elite athletes who have demonstrated the potential to win medals or equivalent, in significant international competitions and events such as the Winter Olympics.
• A list of the athletes benefiting from Athlete Support is detailed below. All athletes who receive Athlete Support will be supported by the sportscotland medical scheme.
• The 2006 Winter Olympic Games will run from 10 – 26 February in Turin, Italy.
• The Scottish Institute of Sport is performance focused, coach led and athlete centred and is dedicated to assisting over 240 of Scotland’s to athletes in their quest for world class achievement. The Institute provides individually tailored support programmes and services including sports science, medical support, nutrition, strength and conditioning, performance lifestyle guidance and expert technical coaching which are designed to enhance performance and create winners.

ATHLETES IDENTIFIED BY GOVERNING BODY FOR ATHLETE SUPPORT JULY 2005

Roger Cruickshank, ABERDEEN, AB31
Jan Kochalski, ABERDEEN AB31
Andrew Noble, EDINBURGH, EH4
Tristan Glasse Davies, FALKIRK, FK8
Jo Greig, FIFE, KT13
Lynn Sharp, GLASGOW, G43
Douglas Crawford, GLASGOW, G61
Pamela Thorburn, MOTHERWELL, ML10
Melissa Piper, PERTH, PH3