This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister encourages 'lifetime of activity'
06/11/2003
Making sport and physical activity attractive and
available to all is the key to a healthy future for
Scotland, a conference was told.
Minister for Sport Frank McAveety said:
"The Executive's commitments to improving the levels of
physical activity for everyone in Scotland - in schools, in
communities, in the workplace and at home - will provide
more opportunities and improved activity resources and
support services for us all.
"Increasing activity, particularly amongst children and
young people, will ensure a bright future for Scotland's
health."
The Minister was speaking at the Institute of Sport and
Recreation Management Conference at the Kelvin Hall in
Glasgow.
He said:
"Sport and physical activity are cornerstones of
developing a healthy Scotland. Our policies are aimed at
tackling Scotland's inactivity by making sport more widely
accessible, by providing support in schools and in the
community, and by making sports participation more
attractive and appealing to users.
"I believe we are making progress with our initiatives
and the significant investment across programmes underlines
our commitment. But the work must continue in turning the
people of Scotland away from sedentary activities to ones
which will benefit their health and general
well-being.
"The message is simple. If we make activity and exercise
a choice for life then healthy and confident Scots will
make a healthy and confident Scotland."
At a photo call prior to the event, the Minister posed
with (from left to right) National Physical Activities
Co-ordinator Mary Allison, National President of the ISRM
Paul Edwards, and Glasgow's Lord Provost Councillor Liz
Cameron.
Opening the conference, Councillor Liz Cameron said:
"We are delighted to host the Institute of Sport and
Recreation Management Conference, an event that recognises
the importance of sport and physical activity to the health
of Scotland. As the European Capital of Sport - awarded
because of our efforts in promoting sport, participation
and fitness to raise the quality of life and improve the
health of our citizens - we hope that we can share
expertise and learn from the distinguished delegates at the
conference".
Mary Allison, National Physical Activities
Co-ordinator added:
"We want to see everyone, at every age, build more
activity into their daily lives - at home, at school, at
work, through play and leisure.
"Physical activity and sport can play a significant part
in the lives of everyone in Scotland. The right actions
now will prevent them suffering the avoidable ill health
that has blighted the lives of so many in Scotland
today.
"By bringing together sports organisations and key
agencies to work in partnership to provide a 'joined-up'
approach to physical activity and sport, we can create a
more active population, with active youngsters and men and
women of all ages who can bring massive health and sporting
benefits to Scotland."
The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
Conference "Sporting Futures - Making a Difference to
Health" runs from 6-7 November at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall.
Keynote speakers at the conference include Brigette
McConnell, Director of Culture and Leisure Services for
Glasgow City Council, Dr Huw Jones, CEO of the Sports
Council for Wales, and Roger Black TV sports presenter and
former track athlete.
The Active Schools Programme with an investment of £24m
over the years 2003-06 aims to provide a range of sports
and related opportunities for all pupils in and around the
school day. sportscotland have set up a steering group to
oversee the work in taking forward the Active Schools
Programme.
The School Sports Co-ordinator programme is designed to
increase the opportunities for children and young people to
participate in more sports more often inside and outside
curriculum time and through developing links with local
clubs. Initially 4 year lottery funded programme with a
budget of almost £6 million which ran to 31 August 2003, it
has received additional funding of almost £3 million has
been provided by New Opportunity Fund to the programme.
The New Opportunities Fund "PE and Sport in Schools"
provides sporting facilities for young people and the
community and funds out of school hours sporting and
cultural activities. £87 million has been committed to
project in Scotland. £52 million of this is committed to
the facilities programme, refurbishing and building new
indoor and outdoor sports facilities for school and
community use. The remaining £35 million is committed to an
activities programme.