Press Release
Shetland Sports Week 3rd to 9th September
Games for Scotland present a celebration of sport in Shetland
The Council’s Sport and Leisure service has been awarded funding from Games for Scotland to celebrate the diversity of club sports in Shetland. Games for Scotland is a programme of events designed to inspire, motivate, and engage people in sport and celebrate the countdown to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Shetland Sports Week will run from the 3-9 September and give everyone in Shetland an opportunity to watch and take part in a wide range of sporting activities and get involved in celebrating the 2014 Games.
Head of Active Schools Philip Ashley-Smith hopes that the week of events will encourage people who would not normally get involved with sport to “have-a-go” and find out the benefits of taking part in a more active lifestyle.
“We want to raise the profile of Shetland’s sports clubs to let people see the range of activities that are available locally” said Mr Ashley-Smith.
“There will be a real mix of events to watch, take part in and sign up for and everyone can get involved because it is for all ages and all abilities”.
The event is inspired by 14 of the Commonwealth sports and centres around the theme “What can sport do for you?” The Sport and Leisure service want people to be inspired to try new activities after speaking to members of some of the local clubs.
“There will be taster sessions and the opportunity to speak to people about their experiences of sport and what they get out of it” said Mr Ashley-Smith.
“Some people may just think that sport isn’t for them; perhaps they had a bad experience at school or feel they aren’t fit enough to join in. But when you actually have a go, the rewards are clear to see – you feel better, both physically and mentally, you become healthier, and importantly have fun being part of a team.
“There will be something on for everyone over the week, so I would encourage people to come along, have fun and see what sport can do for them”.
Shetland Sports Week will kick off with an opening ceremony at the Clickimin Leisure Centre on Saturday 3 September, including a gymnastics display, netball match and exhibition sessions from some of the clubs. This will be followed by a packed schedule of activities for people to watch and try at Clickimin throughout the week as well as events at leisure centres throughout the islands.
With just over three weeks to go, the Sport and Leisure team are busy putting together an exciting programme of events. Look out for more information in the coming weeks on the Shetland Sports Week page: (http://www.shetland.gov.uk/sport/ShetlandsSportsWeek.asp)
On Facebook search for Shetland Sports Week. There will also be posters at all leisure centres closer to the time.
Games for Scotland activities will be taking place across the whole of Scotland in the countdown to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, said:
“The Shetland Sports Week epitomises what the Games for Scotland programme has been designed to accomplish; inspiring, motivating and engendering pride amongst the people of Shetland around Scotland’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Featuring a range of demonstrations, workshops, have-a-go sessions and competitions, the event will provide people with the opportunity to sample a range of sports activities and discover the benefits of an active lifestyle. We look forward to working with Shetland Islands Council in what promises to be a fantastic event.”
