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.