Monday 9 February 2009

Scotland’s rich and diverse sporting landscape was recognised today when Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland announced investment of almost half a million pounds in ten sports.

The £427,850 of funding will support the development of a variety of sports across Scotland, from traditional outdoor sports including angling and equestrianism to relatively new sports such as handball. The sports to benefit from the investment are: angling (all three disciplines), archery, equestrianism, handball, lacrosse, orienteering, sub-aqua and waterskiing.

Louise Martin said: “We passionately believe in the benefits that sport can bring and we are sure there is a sport for everyone, which is why we invest in such a diverse range of sporting activities.

“Working closely with our partners in sports governing bodies and local authorities, our investment is designed to provide more opportunities for people to get involved and to encourage everyone to achieve all they can in their chosen sport.”

For one of the sports in particular, this investment comes at a very exciting time. Archery will make its Commonwealth Games debut in Delhi in 2010 and the funding announced today is also designed to support Scottish athletes to enable them to compete internationally, giving them the best possible preparation ahead of Delhi. One potential 2010 athlete has already tasted international success by winning a medal at the recent Australian Youth Olympics Festival in Sydney. Sixteen year old Hannah Stewart from Montrose was part of the bronze medal winning British team in the women’s archery team event in Australia. Hannah, the British Girl Recurve champion, has already competed at the Youth World Championships and has her sights firmly set on a place for Delhi.

• In 2007/08 sportscotland invested over £11.5 million in 59 sports governing bodies.
• The sports to benefit from today’s announcement are:
  • Combined investment - Lacrosse Scotland, Scottish Handball Association, Scottish Sub Aqua Club - £48,000 (£10,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £38,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)
  • Combined investment – Scottish Anglers National Association, Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers - £73,500 (£14,500 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £59,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)
  • Scottish Archery Association - £57,000 (£50,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £7,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)
  • Scottish Equestrian Association - £146,000 (£69,000 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £77,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)
  • Scottish Orienteering Association - £55,850 (£25,850 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £30,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)
  • Waterski Scotland - £47,500 (£14,500 from the sportscotland Lottery fund and £33,000 sportscotland funding from the Scottish Government)