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Netball nets investment
28/05/2008
Netball Scotland has received a sportscotland investment of £227,700, the largest sum ever awarded to netball, to develop the sport in the build up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Netball is a sport with high participation rates among women and girls and the aim is to develop a strong performance pathway to provide players with the opportunity to realise their potential and to create a strong national team, particularly for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014, where it is a core sport.
Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said:
"The benefits of physical activity to health and wellbeing are enormous and the Scottish Government is committed to increasing participation, particularly among women.
"Netball is popular with women and girls and this record investment in Netball Scotland will be used to boost the infrastructure of the sport.
"The funding will also be used to develop a performance pathway for the sport, which will help to strengthen our national team ahead of important sporting events such as the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi."
In another exciting development for the sport, Scotland has secured a place in the prestigious Netball Superleague. The Superleague features the top English clubs plus a representative Welsh side. A Glasgow-based franchise will represent Scotland in the competition next season. Participating in the Superleague will give Scottish players the opportunity to compete against international players on a regular basis, developing their skills and providing essential top-level competition.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive sportscotland, said:
"This is a very exciting time for Netball Scotland. With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, now is the time for Netball Scotland to put the structures in place to enable them to create a lasting legacy for the sport. Netball Scotland are determined to seize the opportunities presented by 2014 and I am delighted that our investment will support their drive to raise the profile of the sport in Scotland."
Brian McKelvie, Chair of Netball Scotland, said:
"This announcement could not have come at a better time for Netball Scotland. With some 21,000 women and girls playing netball, from Shetland right down to the Scottish Borders, expectations are naturally high. Today's investment will allow the association to put in place the supporting infrastructure for not only our recreational players, but also for those who are seeking to compete at the high performance end of the player pathway.
"As a direct result, the association is now able to put in place its first full time national coach, together with support staff, with the aim of enhancing our world ranking position and ensuring that our Scottish Superleague team can compete in the UK's premier netball tournament."