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Mountaineering secure a foot hold with sportscotland funding

Wednesday 13 July 2005

As thousands of people take to the Scottish hills over the summer holidays, sportscotland has pledged their support to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) with an award of £68,000.

The funding is a combination of £11,500 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £56,500 of sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive. The investment comes at a turning point for MCofS as they look to modernise and increase the profile of mountaineering, improving the structure of the organisation to take the sport forward. sportscotland are fully supportive of this modernisation process.

The award will help the MCofS continue good safety practice, with £40,000 supporting the position of mountain safety adviser. A key responsibility of the post is to communicate the mountain safety message among those who enjoy the Scottish hills. The safety adviser’s role, which was made full-time last year, is to encourage safe practice on the hills, through education and practical training.

In recent years, Scotland’s safety record has steadily improved, with the numbers of deaths decreasing, and participation levels on the rise. The mountain safety adviser position has contributed in part to this trend, and the support of sportscotland funding, will allow ongoing progress to be made

The MCofS is the representative body for climbers, walkers, mountaineers and cross-country skiers who enjoy the Scottish mountains. As well as encouraging safe practice in the hills, they are responsible for protecting the mountain environment and ethos of the sport.

With 140 affiliated clubs and 9,500 members, mountaineering is a growing sport. sportscotland funding will support the delivery of MCofS’s development plan, helping to increase membership numbers further. Key to this is the introduction of ‘REALrock’ events, aimed at coaching children who have started climbing at one of Scotland’s indoor walls, encouraging them to take up outdoor climbing in a safe and supportive environment.

Kevin Howett, National Officer, MCofS, said: "The MCofS has a growing membership with a diverse range of activities. Most participate at a recreational level, but some operate at world class level. sportscotland funding allows us to continue increasing the opportunities we can offer climbers of all ages and abilities, and helps us focus on initiatives to increase participation levels, especially at youth level."

Stewart Harris, Acting Chief Executive, sportscotland, said: "sportscotland is committed to helping governing bodies modernise their management structure to introduce positive developments to the sport and we are delighted with the progress MCofS is making.

"sportscotland’s award of £68,000 to the MCofS will help the sport continue to grow, and through the funding of the mountain safety adviser, the safety message can be effectively communicated among those who enjoy the Scottish hills."

Other sports benefiting from sportscotland funding this month are; Mountain Leader Training Scotland (£20,000), Scottish Equestrian Association (£78,000) the Scottish Orienteering Association (£58,000), Lacrosse Scotland (£10,000), the Scottish Modern Pentathlon Association (SMPA) and the Scottish Karate Governing Body (£39,536).

  • Scottish Karate Governing Body will receive £20,536, and the Scottish Modern Pentathlon Association £2,500, from the Athlete Support Programme.
  • Athlete Support is now largely administered through the governing body. It merges and replaces the former Junior Groups and Talented Athlete programmes and provides a seamless, integrated pathway for the development of emerging talent.
  • The programme supports the training and preparation of elite athletes who have demonstrated the potential to win medals or equivalent, in significant international competitions and events.
  • All athletes who receive Athlete Support will also be supported by the new sportscotland medical scheme.
  • A list of the athletes benefiting from the Athlete Support is detailed below.

Athletes identified by Governing Bodies for Athlete Support, July 2005

Karate

Ewan Robb, PENICUIK, EH26
Callum Robb, HADDINGTON
Alan Simpson
Steven Rooney, AYRSHIRE
Pamela Robb, PENICUIK, EH26
Lisa Rodgers, BROXBURN
Teri Coulter, KILMARNOCK, KA2
Stephanie Coulter, KILMARNOCK, KA2
Total Athlete Support: £20,536

Modern Pentathlon

Alicks Ramsay, ARBROATH, DD11
Total Athlete Support: £2,500
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