Press Release
31th July 2012
Shetland receives £10,000 from Games for Scotland Programme towards Sports Week, 29th September to 7th October
The Scottish Government and EventScotland recently launched the 2012 Games for Scotland programme which will support a series of events across the country designed to engage communities throughout Scotland in the countdown to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The launch of the £600,000 programme, which was attended by Shona Robison, MSP, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport aims to inspire Scots across the country by encouraging and motivating them to take part in events which celebrate Scotland’s culture, heritage and role as host of the next Commonwealth Games.
Shetland has secured £10,000 worth of funding from the programme and will host Shetland Sports Week opening on Saturday 29 September and closing on Sunday 7th October 2012. The week long event aims to encourage people to participate in sport and dance, to celebrate Shetland sport and create new opportunities for participating, volunteering, coaching and spectating in sport.
Building on last year’s success the organisers will also be introducing Disability Sport activities and a Dance programme for Shetland’s school children as well as fusing together Shetland’s music, art and sporting cultures through a volunteer recognition event, the creation of a local sports short film and a digital photograph exhibition. Coach Education workshops, free physical activity sessions at rural leisure centres and visits from elite athletes and coaches from the Scottish Institute of Sport are all part of the plan being drawn up by a project team lead by Shetland Islands Council’s Sport and Leisure service.
Ms Robison said: "This year's impressive Games for Scotland programme highlights the passion and enthusiasm communities across Scotland have for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Importantly, the programme will give thousands of people the opportunity to be part of the building excitement as we move closer to 2014.
"The wide and diverse nature of the Games for Scotland programme perfectly illustrates there's more to the 2014 Games than just sport. The Games coming to Scotland provides an exceptional opportunity to make our nation healthier and celebrate our modern and vibrant culture, delivering a legacy Scots can be proud of both now and in the future."
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive said: "Following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the attention and focus will turn to Glasgow and Scotland as proud host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the excitement is already building across the country. We’re delighted that Shetland Islands Council is holding Shetland Sports Week as part of the Games for Scotland programme. The programme will provide a fantastic opportunity for people across the country to participate in a number of fascinating events that will celebrate Scotland’s culture, heritage and role as host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games."
The event is taking shape week by week and progress can be followed on the Shetland Sports Week Facebook page and on the Council’s twitter feed.
James Johnston, Shetland Islands Council’s Active Schools Manager and project lead said: “We are delighted to announce the dates for Shetland Sports Week 2012. The team is looking forward to working with sports clubs and associations to use the week to boost club membership, coaching knowledge and participation levels of everyone in the community. Already we have had agreement from regional and national sports development staff and athletes in Basketball, Football, Athletics, Golf, Gymnastics, Rugby and Swimming who wish to visit Shetland during the week and deliver activities, coaching workshops and inspire everyone to become more physically active and involved in sport. The fact we have a number of important local partners contributing to Shetland Sports Week this year will help us show the true power and enjoyment of sport in its many forms.”
The programme, managed by EventScotland, forms a key part of the Scottish Government's commitment to deliver a lasting legacy as a result of the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland and as part of the fusion between sport and culture, the organisers also plan to show a selection of movies in Mareel to highlight the inspirational nature of sport.
Kathy Hubbard, Head of Development with Shetland Arts commented, “the film industry is littered with evocative and inspiring classic sports movies and Mareel will be supporting Shetland Sports Week by screening a selection of these movies during the week of the event.”
With around 100 activities and sport sessions being planned around 16 sites, the task of pulling together around 170 volunteers will be a challenge. Co-ordinating the programme around the rural leisure centres, Diane Legget, Health and Fitness Manager with Shetland Recreational Trust said, "Shetland Sports Week is a chance to throw open our leisure centre doors to everyone and provide opportunities for clubs and organisations to attract new members through a variety of taster sessions. We are a committed partner for Shetland Sports Week and aim to use this event to encourage people to do more exercise, support pathways to activities and promote a healthier lifestyle”.