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Homecoming hat-trick
14/10/2008
A Homecoming hat-trick of sporting events will take place in Scotland during 2009.
Football teams will compete for the Homecoming Scottish Cup while the Open Golf Championship will be played at Turnberry in Ayrshire and leading drivers will take part in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge at Stirling, Perth and Kinross.
The Homecoming Cup comes courtesy of a £1 million annual investment provided by Glasgow businessman and philanthropist Willie Haughey in a sponsorship arrangement to run over two years, providing opportunities for the Scottish Government to promote healthy living and citizenship through football messages.
At Hampden today First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"With the Homecoming Scottish Cup and the deciding round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge now added to the ever-growing Homecoming calendar, along with the Open Golf Championship - sports fans have a chance to score themselves a memorable hat-trick by visiting Scotland in 2009.
"The generosity of Willie Haughey has made The Scottish Cup a prize that every Scot, at home and abroad, and every friend of Scotland has a share in. Four million people across 40 countries watched the Scottish Cup last year and this year they will all be invited to be a part of our Year of Homecoming.
"Willie Haughey deserves our sincere thanks for helping to bring Scotland's Year of Homecoming to life for football fans. This funding will turn Scotland's premier domestic sporting cup competition into a cohesive celebration of national sporting success.
"What's more, today's announcement gives the Scottish Government further opportunity to highlight the work of a new group that has been established in partnership with the SFA to promote citizenship through football. As well as continuing to tackle sectarianism, the new group will look at issues such as anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug misuse, domestic abuse and violence.
"Success on Scottish soil is also now in the sights of global motorsport stars. The 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge will find a fitting home in Scotland -a nation renowned for producing motorsport legends. Fierce competition and dramatic landscapes are sure to accelerate the buzz around 2009.
"Of course Scotland will also be hosting a range of other sporting events in our Year of Homecoming - including the Baxters Lochness Marathon, the Original Cycling Festival in Dumfries, the Heineken European Rugby Cup Final and the Highland Games. Together these form a modern portrait of active Scotland - and I hope each event will inspire young Scots to pursue healthier lifestyles.
"Scotland is made for action and exercise, with breathtaking scenery providing a perfect setting for outdoor activities. Today we can remind all of our friends and relatives around the world that sport is a great way of taking part in Scotland, while promoting better fitness and celebrating talent. Scotland's Year of Homecoming has the potential to deliver not just sports awards, but real health rewards."
Mr Haughey's financial support of £2 million to the Scottish Football Association over two years will enable the Scottish Government to use publicity opportunities arising from the Scottish Cup in 2009 and 2010.
The Scottish Government will pay the costs of activating the rights to the Cup - total costs are still under commercial negotiation. Activation costs will be found within existing budgets. Once negotiations have been concluded, the Scottish Government and SFA will make appropriate financial information available.
Activation costs refer to the costs associated with exploiting the marketing opportunities provided through the association with the Scottish Cup including - branding of pitch hoardings and perimeter boards, advertisements in programmes, website messaging, PR costs to work with players and community engagement.
This sponsorship arrangement will be used to promote Homecoming and healthy living messages over two years. The Scottish Government will then have first refusal on a third year of sponsorship.
EventScotland has secured for the Scotland the final stage of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for three years, with the investment of £250,000 per annum. Stirling Council and Perth and Kinross Council will each invest £25,000 per annum. Other partners include International Motor Sports Ltd, the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Scotland's Homecoming celebrations will run from Burns Night (January 25) to St Andrew's Day (November 30) 2009, across the country.