This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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First round of sport social inclusion awards
23/09/2002
The first round of funding awards aimed at increasing the opportunities for Scots to become more involved in sporting activities, were announced today.
Deputy Sports Minister Dr Elaine Murray revealed details of the first seven awards - totalling £350,000 - made under the new sportscotland Lottery Fund Programme for Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas.
Visiting one of the award recipients in Renfrew - The Paisley Partnership Health Improvement Through Sport (HITS) - Dr Murray said:
"In our Programme for Government, we made a clear commitment to ensure that all 48 SIPs in Scotland have a sports component in their plans. sportscotland has committed £3 million from the Lottery Sports Fund (LSF) over three years to SIPs projects. Today's announcement is the next step in meeting our pledge.
"We fully recognise the benefits that sport can bring to our disadvantaged communities. Our aim is to increase opportunities for everyone to become more involved in more sport more often.
"The recent Report of the Physical Activity Task Force highlighted the need for our young people to become more active. I am particularly pleased that the award to the Paisley Partnership will build on the invaluable work carried out through the HITS Programme targeted at primaries 4 and 5.
"It is important to instil healthy, positive attitudes in our young people at an early age which will stand them in good stead for the years ahead. It is also important to offer our young people a choice. I am sure that the addition of athletics to this Programme will encourage more young people to participate and enjoy the benefits that participation can bring.
"By working closely with their communities, SIPs will seek to come up with new and innovative projects which will prove attractive and address the needs and priorities of their areas."
Eligible organisations may apply to sportscotland for one award towards a single project or for several awards for separate, stand-alone projects. The minimum cost of a project will be £5,550 and the minimum award will be £5,000 in the absence of other external funds.
In common with other sportscotland Lottery programmes, the SIPs Programme will be application based. The programme will have an application period of three years from February 2002 to December 2004 and an implementation period of five years through to December 2006.
Under the SIPs Programme, every application has to include a level of support from at least one other source. Applicants will need to provide partnership funding of not less than 10% of eligible cost, in cash on in kind.
The seven projects, receiving a total of £353,240.00 are outlined below. Full details can be obtained from sportscotland - Tara Sullivan, Lottery Press Officer, 0131 472 3341.
Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company: Health Improvement through Sport (HITS) - £115,348; South Coatbridge SIP: Parent Action for Safe Play - £22,574; Eastbank Health Promotion Centre, East Glasgow: Dance Activity Group - £11,576; South Edinburgh SIP: Sports and Recreation Activity Programme - £51,585; Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, Edinburgh Strategic Programme: Feasibility Study - £12,625; Forres Skate/BMX Club, Moray Youth Start: Construction of BMX/skateboarding equipment - £5,743; Dundee City Council, SIP 1 & 2: Youth Sport Development Project - £133,789.