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Seized crime cash to fund rugby coaching
18/04/2008
The proceeds of crime are to be used to fund one of the most significant investments in youth rugby ever seen in Scotland.
The latest strand of the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme will use over £1.4 million seized from serious organised criminals to provide free rugby coaching and playing activities for over 32,000 young people throughout the country by 2011.
The Scottish Government has brokered agreement with Scottish Rugby (the SRU) to deliver a comprehensive three year programme across Scotland to encourage participation by young people in rugby.
Activities to be funded will include:
- Offering rugby to children in primary and secondary schools, particularly where there is little opportunity to play rugby at present
- Linking schools activity to local rugby clubs and creating satellite rugby centres for disadvantaged and disengaged youngsters
- Introducing an easy to play and portable version of Street Rugby to engage with young people in their neighbourhoods and working with Scottish FA and others to deliver joint events
- Support for the Scottish Widows Rugby Champions programme to reward and recognise volunteers to help promote rugby in secondary schools
- Offering training and leadership opportunities to young people through the delivery of coaching courses and
- Using professional rugby players as ambassadors for the CashBack for Communities scheme
Speaking in advance of launching the new initiative with members of the Calcutta Cup-winning Scotland rugby team, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"Criminals don't contribute to our communities - they live off them. That harms our economy but it also saps self-confidence and ambition - especially among our young people.
"That's why the Scottish Government is taking the cash these criminals make off the backs of law abiding folk and putting it back into our communities.
"This latest strand of our CashBack for Communities scheme will help to take rugby out of its traditional heartlands and provide opportunities for young people in our more disadvantaged communities to play the game. Geography, social standing and sex should be no barrier to participation in one of our great national sports.
"We want to give our young people positive things to do with their lives and our CashBack for Communities scheme is giving our young people the opportunity to be all they can be."
Welcoming today's announcement, Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, said:
"Scottish Rugby believes that our sport can play a major role in helping young Scots to become healthier, safer and stronger and make a positive contribution to their communities
"Working in partnership with volunteers, teachers, rugby clubs, schools, local authorities and the Scottish Government, Scottish Rugby is pledged to increase opportunities for young Scots to play rugby.
"We're delighted the Scottish Government is using the Cashback for Communities scheme in this way. Rugby in Scotland has to be accessible to all and this investment will mean that we can open the door to many more young Scots.
"Our top players will play their part too by supporting the Cashback for Communities scheme as ambassadors and, who knows, in the future, we might see players running out in the blue jersey at Murrayfield, who were first inspired to take up the game by this first-class initiative."
Scotland captain Mike Blair said:
"I am lucky enough to play rugby for a living and to have the massive honour of playing for my country. Rugby can teach lessons for life and, above all, is a great way to keep fit and have fun.
"Scottish Rugby and those who've already caught the rugby bug are working hard to introduce our sport to more youngsters. This money from the Scottish Government will enable Scottish Rugby to reinforce that there are no no-go areas for our sport."
Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said:
"Today's announcement is a tremendous boost for youth rugby and builds on the significant investment the Scottish Government already makes in the sport.
"We want to see more young people playing and enjoying the game the length and breadth of the country, especially in communities not historically associated with rugby.
"This funding will strengthen the infrastructure that will support and inspire them to realise their sporting ambitions.
"Sport can help boost self confidence and it's not just about creating sporting stars of the future. Just as important is increasing the number of people, young and old, participating in sport and physical activity.
"This initiative puts the boot into criminals and their illegal gains reinvesting the money to build better, healthier communities."
The total funding to be provided from the proceeds of crime is £1.415 million over three years broken down to £435,000/£466,000/£514,000.
Details of the four strands of the CashBack for Communities youth rugby initiatives:
School Sport
- Work with the active schools network to offer rugby activity to children in primary and secondary schools
- Work with the FSA to promote basic healthy living messages to primary school children
- Target secondary schools with little or no opportunities to experience rugby and offer curricular and extra curricular programmes
Specific Targets:
- 450 primary schools in year one, growing to 600 by year three. Additional target of 13,500 pupils, growing to 18,000 by year three
- 250 secondary schools in year one, growing to 300 by year three. Additional target of 7,500 pupils, growing to 9,000 by year three
Club Development
- Create a pathway to rugby through links from school activity to local rugby clubs and create satellite rugby centres for disadvantaged/disengaged youngsters
- A of Pro Team Community visits by identified key professional players as ambassadors for the Cash Back for Communities scheme
Specific targets:
- A minimum of 50 players appearances at CashBack events has been guaranteed by Scottish Rugby
Street Rugby
- In partnership with local agencies introduce an easy to play and portable version of 'Street Rugby' to engage with youngsters in their own neighborhoods
- Work with youth agencies to implement further training for jointly funded development officers to work with challenging and disengaged young people
- Work with SFA, and other CashBack funded sports bodies, to deliver joint CashBack events where appropriate
Specific targets:
- 70 Street Rugby venues spread throughout Scotland, growing to 90 by year three. Timescales will be agreed with local CSP's
- 3,500 Street Rugby participants, growing to 4,500 by year three
Volunteer Development
- Support Scottish Widows Rugby Champions Programme to reward and recognise volunteers to help promote rugby in state Secondary Schools
- Offer training and leadership opportunities through the delivery of coaching courses, Street Rugby leaders, Sports Leaders Awards, refereeing and volunteering opportunities. Also opportunities for young people to progress to our modern apprentice - Scottish Vocational Qualifications programme. Any interested candidates will be offered financially supported places
Specific target:
- 400 volunteers in year one, growing to 625 by year three
Scottish Rugby will work with partners to ensure these new opportunities for Scotland's young people continue after the initial funding period from CashBack for Communities.
Anyone wanting to register for further information, should log on to www.cashbackscotland.com and for free updates about free activities for under 18's in their area they should text "CASHBACK" to 61611.