This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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£1.4 Million for Sports and Arts in Coatbridge - Allan Wilson
04/12/2000
Deputy Minister for Sport and Culture Allan Wilson launched a £1.4 million sports and arts programme in Coatbridge today.
An imaginative project, funded through the New Opportunities Fund of the National Lottery, it will build on existing study support, summer schools and outward bound programmes by providing additional opportunity for young people to excel in sport and the arts.
Presenting the £1.4 million cheque to North Lanarkshire Council, Allan Wilson said:
"This is an imaginative and ambitious scheme to give all North Lanarkshire's young people opportunities in sport and culture. There is an indisputable link between sporting and cultural activity, and academic achievement.
"Through discovering or developing a talent, finding a means of personal expression or experiencing the joy of creative activity, our young people can come to enhance their self-worth and find the confidence to play an active role in the social and economic life of the community.
"North Lanarkshire has created an exciting scheme that will allow all of its children and young people the opportunity to transform their lives through additional, structured, active involvement in Sport, Art and Music."
BACKGROUND
1. North Lanarkshire Out of School Hours Learning Programme for Music, Sports and the Arts is funded through the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund (NOF). NOF currently funds seven programmes in Scotland:
Out of School Hours Childcare - £25.3 million
Out of School Hours Learning - £23.6 million (from which today's programme was drawn)
'Healthy Living' Centres - £34.5 million
Living with Cancer - £17.25 million
ICT Training: teachers, school librarians, public library staff - £25.6 million
Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities - £14.38 million
Community Access to Lifelong Learning - £23 million
2. The North Lanarkshire initiative involves all 130 primary schools, 26 secondary schools and 10 special schools in the area. Activities will include choirs, brass and jazz bands, orchestral provision, swimming, volleyball, rugby, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, athletics and badminton in the first year. In year two arts and drama activities will be added.
3. The launch took place at the Municipal Buildings in Coatbridge.
News Release: SE3132/2000
4 Dec 2000