Net gain for two sports

Thursday 23 June 2005

Both volleyball and netball have netted funding from sportscotland totalling £210,000 to support key areas of the sports’ business plans.

We are delighted that sportscotland continue to recognise and endorse the quality of SVA plans and people, by funding significant parts of our work to bring the sport to as many Scots as possible.

Widening opportunities for women and girls to take part and compete in sport is a key priority for sportscotland. Netball Scotland have received an annual award of £65,000, which is a combination of £10,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £55,000 of sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive. The investment will help develop coaching and player pathways for women, supporting and encouraging them to develop as players as well as encouraging more girls to take up the sport.

The funding to Netball Scotland will support the employment of a general manager, who is responsible for developing a long-term strategic plan for the sport. The focus of this four-year plan will be to enhance the level of service to club members, increase school participation and develop a quality programme of national competitions at junior and senior level.

The ‘Thistle Netball’ scheme will be central to increasing participation at grass roots level, and Netball Scotland will be looking to roll out this programme through local participation centres across Scotland.

Andrew Farley, General Manager, Netball Scotland said: "The funding that Netball Scotland receive from sportscotland is pivotal to the future development of the sport in Scotland. This funding enables us to employ staff and to put in place organisational structures that build our capacity to service our members and provide quality programmes and services to netballers across the country. We look forward to building our partnership with sportscotland as we move into the next phase of our development."

The Scottish Volleyball Association (SVA) has also been awarded £140,000 over one year, which is a combination of £60,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £80,000 of sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.

A youth development officer, who will be supported by £35,000 of the award, will work closely with local authorities, volleyball development officers, clubs, teachers and volunteers to help develop the game of volleyball at a local level. The SVA recognises the need to establish a base from which to introduce players to the game. Key to this is the youth development officer’s involvement with the Active Schools network to introduce volleyball into schools and then establish strong links between schools and volleyball clubs.

sportscotland’s investment also includes funding for the core development and administration of the SVA to allow the organisation to address top priority issues such as increasing membership. Key to this will be the introduction of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) initiatives designed to retain long-term interest and involvement in volleyball. They will create the conditions for those taking part in the sport to participate at an appropriate level.

Kenny Barton, Chief Executive, Scottish Volleyball Association, said: "We are delighted that sportscotland continue to recognise and endorse the quality of SVA plans and people, by funding significant parts of our work to bring the sport to as many Scots as possible. Volleyball is currently undergoing significant and exciting change, and the funding will ensure that the many quality schemes we currently have in operation, whether in coaching, club development, competition at local and national level, or opportunities for recreational play, will continue to go from strength to strength to benefit players across Scotland.’’

Alastair Dempster, Chairman, sportscotland, said: "We are delighted to announce awards to both the Scottish Volleyball Association and Netball Scotland. sportscotland’s vision is to bring a greater range of sporting opportunities to Scotland and by investing in sports’ governing bodies, we help to increase participation and nurture players at grass roots level, building a foundation for sport to thrive.

"Netball is particularly crucial in widening opportunities for women and girls to take part and compete in sport. sportscotland is committed to creating a future where all women and girls have the chance to benefit from, excel and fulfil their potential through the sports of their choice. It is important that we work to ensure sport in Scotland becomes relevant and attractive to everyone at all levels."