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Scotland's sporting success
03/10/2008
The increasing role of sport in the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland was highlighted today by Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell at the conference of the Voice of Chief Officers for Cultural, Community and Leisure Services (VOCAL).
Mr Maxwell said:
"While still six years away, Glasgow winning the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 has given us a monumental opportunity to caputure the enthusiasm the Games will undoubtedly bring and focus our efforts, accelerate change and secure a lasting legacy for the whole of Scotland.
"Scotland revels in the success of its athletes, and the recent events at the Olympics and Paralympics attest to this. The achievements at these games demonstrate our athletes have the ability and determination to excel on the world stage."
The Minister also praised the new relationship between local and national government since the historic concordat with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
He said:
"Sport can improve the quality of life of the people of Scotland, reduce inequalities and bring communities together. By developing and delivering local sports outcomes through single outcome agreements, local authorites can drive up local participation and help support the player pathways which are crucial to sporting success."
And Mr Maxwell also outlined the challenges facing sport now and in the future:
"We are committed to increasing participation, particularly amongst under respresented groups, as well as improving facilities and after school schemes.
"A particular focus is required on our most disadvantaged areas, where people may not have the same opportunities to participate in sport and where sport can provide a vital diversion away from routes into crime, drugs or alcohol.
"We need to energise our young people to become more involved in grass roots level sport through coaching, quality facilities and communitiy initiatives so that we truly become a sporting nation at all levels."