sportscotland announce funding to Cricket Scotland

Tuesday 5 April 2005

With their first crucial match of the season approaching, Cricket Scotland have been awarded £270,297 from sportscotland. The backing is a combination of £83,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £187,297 of sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.

The backing from sportscotland will give Cricket Scotland a boost ahead of a crucial season of World Cup qualification, as well as reinforcing the structure and support available to ensure the long-term development of the game.

The award was accepted on behalf of Cricket Scotland by new National Coach Andy Moles and Scotland Captain Craig Wright as their first competitive match of the season approaches against Durham on May 1. It will be the international team’s first competitive match under new National Coach Moles. Qualification for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies is attained via the ICC Trophy being held in Ireland in early July, but the team face a string of difficult matches before then. World Cup qualification will be instrumental in raising the profile of the game nationally.

Following a lengthy review process and consultation with member clubs and stakeholders, Cricket Scotland launched a new four-year strategic plan, Building Partnerships, in October 2004.  The plan clearly shows the vision for cricket in Scotland, the priorities to be addressed and the six strategic areas that will form the cornerstone of all Cricket Scotland’s activities. sportscotland funding will support these key areas of the development plan.

£25,000 of the funding will come from the elite athlete support programme and will assist Cricket Scotland fund the provision of world class coaching support to the team in preparation for, and during, the qualification tournament for the cricket World Cup.

"We are delighted to award £270,297 to Cricket Scotland to support the key areas of their new four year development plan, which aims to encourage people to become more active at a recreational level, whilst also nurturing those who demonstrate the potential to achieve on the world stage"

The key work of Cricket Scotland’s youth development manager will also be supported by sportscotland funding. The remit of the youth development manager is to put in place structures and opportunities for all children to participate in cricket, leading to a vibrant and strong club network which will deliver participation for all boys, girls, men and women to enjoy cricket at their chosen level. This will primarily be achieved through the development of the Junior Cricket Primary School Programme and the Club Development Programme.

Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland Chief Executive said: "Cricket Scotland is committed to develop the game at all levels throughout Scotland. From our introductory programmes to national representation, we have put in place plans and structures to support everyone who wishes to play the game. sportscotland’s investment in cricket is greatly appreciated and we are committed to use the support in meeting the objectives of Sport 21 through the medium of cricket. Cricket is making steady progress in all areas, which would not be achievable without the ongoing partnership investment from sportscotland."

sport scotland Chairman Alastair Dempster said: "We are delighted to award £270,297 to Cricket Scotland to support the key areas of their new four year development plan, which aims to encourage people to become more active at a recreational level, whilst also nurturing those who demonstrate the potential to achieve on the world stage.

"We are committed to developing and supporting Scottish athletes competing at an elite level. With such an important World Cup qualification year ahead for Scottish cricket, I am sure that the Athlete Support funding will make a significant contribution to enable the players to receive the best possible preparation to fulfil this goal."

• Athlete Support funding is now largely administered through the governing body.
• Piloted last year, integrated investment aims to streamline our support by combining Lottery and Exchequer funding streams enabling governing bodies to submit one development or business plan to be considered across all three sportscotland visions (Achieving Excellence, Developing Potential and Widening Opportunities).
• Athlete Support is a funding programme which merges and replaces the former Junior Groups and Talented Athlete programmes and provides a seamless, integrated pathway for the development of emerging talent. It supports the training and preparation of elite athletes who have demonstrated the potential to win medals or equivalent, in significant international competitions and events.