Early Christmas cheer as sportscotland rewards swimming success

13 December 2006

Swimming in Scotland has never been more buoyant and that success in and out of the water has been recognised by sportscotland.

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland today announced new investment to Scottish Swimming of £818,000 for 2007.

Twelve medals in the pool at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as success in all levels of swimming from grassroots upwards has earned Scottish Swimming increased investment to build on these achievements.

The investment, of which £579,000 is from the sportscotland Lottery fund, will go towards coaching, volunteering, player improvement and medal success.

Part of this funding will go toward an innovative plan put forward by Scotland’s National Coach, Chris Martin, to allow coaches to design and implement programmes for individual swimmers to help them reach their goal of competing at the Beijing Olympics as part of the Great Britain team. The programme will be supported by a Performance Group involving the Scottish Institute of Sport and sportscotland, and will be led by Scottish Swimming’s Director of Performance, Ally Whike.

Joining sportscotland to mark this important day were three members of Scottish Swimming’s highly successful Scottish Performance Centre, City of Edinburgh Swimming: Gregor Tait, Kirsty Balfour and Kris Gilchrist.

Kirsty, Gregor and Kris have just returned from international duty at the European Short Course Championships in Helsinki. Kirsty ended a fabulous year with further medal success, winning gold and breaking her own British record in the 200m Breaststroke, making her one of only a handful of swimmers to hold the short and long course titles simultaneously. She then went on to earn silver in the 100m, bringing her medal tally for 2006 to three gold, three silver and one bronze.

Announcing the funding, Julia Bracewell said: “Winning 12 medals in Melbourne confirmed swimming as Scotland’s most successful sport in Commonwealth Games history. This success has had a huge impact on the sport earning our swimmers a well deserved place in the hearts and minds of the Scottish public.

“Scottish Swimming is one of Scotland’s most successful governing bodies. They are continually driving forward participation while achieving great results at elite level and this new investment recognises these achievements and our desire for a continuation of this very exciting period for the sport.”

Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said: “Scotland’s fabulous medal success in the pool at the Commonwealth Games has brought international recognition to our talented swimmers. This funding from sportscotland is a welcome boost and will help to further develop their sporting excellence.”

Welcoming this investment, Ashley Howard Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming said: “Scottish Swimming is delighted with sportscotland’s investment in our efforts to continuously develop and improve the swimmer pathway in Scotland. The investment will support year one of our recently launched six year Corporate Plan and will drive forward our vision to ensure that every single person in Scotland has access to quality swimming programmes, regardless of age or ability.”

The next challenge for Scottish swimmers will be as part of the Great Britain team at the World Championships in Melbourne in March 2007.

• Free photographs from today’s announcement are Steve Lindridge, Ideal Images – 07718 919597
• Results from European Short Course Championships:

• The £818,000 investment is made up of £579,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £259,000 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.
• Athlete Support, which is now largely administered through the governing body, supports the training and preparation programmes for 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 be supported by the sportscotland medical scheme.

Identified athletes receiving Athlete Support

Chris Chasser Aberdeen AB10
Ranald Falconer Aberdeen AB11
Jonathan Greig Aberdeen AB13
Adrian O’Neill Aberdeen AB15
Robbie Renwick Cults AB15
Kerry Buchan Banchory AB31
Steven Sutherland Peterhead AB42
Hannah Miley Inverurie AB51
Karen Rigby Dundee DD5
Greg Wilkinson Brechin DD9
Andrew Mayor Annan DG12
Robyn Matthews Edinburgh EH3
Sally Wood Edinburgh EH4
Kyle Goodfellow Edinburgh EH7
Billy Purnell Edinburgh EH8
David Leith Edinburgh EH9
Andrew Haslett Edinburgh EH9
Helen McRoberts Edinburgh EH10
Ewan Johnston Edinburgh EH10
Nicole Wilson Edinburgh EH12
Robert Lang Edinburgh EH16
Ian MacMillan Edinburgh EH16
Fiona Gray Bonnyrigg EH19
Fiona Booth Edinburgh EH17
Richard Schaffers Whitburn EH47
Katelyn Stewart Bathgate EH47
Megan Gilchrist Bathgate EH47
Jamie Griffiths Boness EH51
Todd Cooper Stirling FK9
Stuart Greig Alloa FK10
Rebecca Hillis Glasgow G11
Sarah Maclean Glasgow G12
Michael Jamieson Glasgow G33
Fiona O’Prey Glasgow G66
Ross Douglas Glasgow G67
Fiona Andrews Glasgow G76
Craig Barber Glasgow G78
Rachael Hanna Inverness IV2
Scott Houston Dalry KA24
Craig Houston Dalry KA24
Stuart Houston Dalry KA24
Kirsty Hart Largs KA30
Kathryn Johnstone Cowdenbeath KY4
Daniel Scott Glenrothes KY6
Callum Shaw Inverkeithing KY11
Eloise Barber Dunfermline KY11
Douglas Scott Strathaven ML10
Alex Smith Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2
Shona Booth Perth PH2
Ben Higson Eyemouth TD14