Listen
Tesco bank invests in school sport
13/01/2010
Welcoming the news that Tesco Bank is planning to invest over £1 million in a new sports programme for primary school children, First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"This excellent programme will encourage boys and girls to get fit and active and to take an early interest in football and sport.
"Football is a springboard into other sports and a catalyst for raising awareness of the changes families and communities can make to their physical activity levels. I would like to commend Tesco Bank for making this scheme happen.
"The Scottish Government takes sport seriously. That's why we have invested £5.7 million in football development, employment and supporter initiatives in 2008-09. Our association with the Active Nation Scottish Cup will encourage the wider community to get moving, and we will continue to work hard with all of our partners to develop sport at grassroots level and to encourage people of all ages to lead active, healthy lives and ensuring Scotland becomes an Active Nation. There is, however, much more to be done and Tesco Bank is due to make a significant contribution to that sporting future."
This initiative will be the first in a programme of community support focussing on Scottish youth. It will use the power of football to get 7 and 8 year old primary school children active, not only at school but to establish long lasting activity week in week out.
The aim is to reach 60,000 boys and girls of all levels and abilities across 1,600 primary schools across Scotland's 32 local authorities. It will involve half a million coaching hours and every primary school in Scotland will have the opportunity to participate.
Benny Higgins, Tesco Bank Chief Executive Officer, said:
"Tesco aims to make a positive contribution to the countries and communities where we operate, both in the way we do business and by supporting community initiatives. As we are now a year old as Tesco Bank, headquartered and committed to Scotland, the time is right for us to develop a community programme.
"Football will be central to this programme, acting as a vehicle for fitness and the development of both physical and social skills. While it would be nice if we helped identify the next Paul McStay, that is not our primary objective. Instead, we want to see tens of thousands of boys and girls participating on a regular basis and having fun."