Press Release
27th August 2012
Superstar rugby player Chris Paterson MBE to visit the isles for Shetland Sports Week
Chris Paterson MBE is visiting Shetland to take part in Shetland Sports Week, part of the Games
for Scotland programme, at the start of October. Chris is Scotland’s cap and points’ record holder and in a glittering 12 year international career which started in 1999 and ended in 2011 at his fourth Rugby World Cup – a record for a Scot – Paterson played 109 times for his country and contributed 809 points through 22 tries, 170 penalties, 90 conversions and 3 drop goals. He was frequently his country’s match-winner through the unerring accuracy of his right boot – borne of many hours of selfless practice on the training field.
Scottish Rugby’s key development staff in the Highlands and Islands, Regional Development Manager Brian Bell and Coach Development Officer Alex Edmondstone, were already committed to assisting during the event to work alongside Shetland Rugby Club’s development officer, Daniel Meadows. They asked if Chris, in his new role as Scottish Rugby’s ambassador, would also be able to attend Shetland’s Games for Scotland event and Chris is excited at the prospect of making his first visit to Shetland.
Chris said: “I’m very much looking forward to making my first trip to Shetland. I’ve heard a lot about the work that the club and Daniel are doing and I’m really keen to see that first hand.”
The announcement of Chris’ visit follows the commitment from Chris Hildrey, Area Manager at Highland Institute of Sport, to bring sport science staff to Shetland to deliver a coaching workshop and talk on strength and conditioning and supporting talented athletes in Shetland. Chris will also be visiting secondary pupils with his team and offering a taste of working in the performance area of sport.
As the London 2012 and Paralympic Games come to a close, Games for Scotland will celebrate the fact Scotland is Next, with events like this inspired by the 17 Commonwealth Sports featuring in Glasgow 2014 and by Scotland’s rich cultural and dance heritage. Indeed, the public will be able to look back over 100 years of Shetland’s sporting culture with a digital photo exhibition shown around Shetland Museum and Archives and Jane McLaren, Graduate Placement in Dance with Shetland Islands Council has been commissioned to deliver a schools dance programme with performances planned for the opening event at Clickimin Centre on Saturday 29 September and at the closing party for volunteers and friends of the event at Islesburgh on Saturday 6 October. The project team at Sport and Leisure are busy planning up to 100 events and activities across Shetland and co-ordinating visiting national coaches and development staff from Athletics, Bowls, Basketball, Rugby and Football with Cobra Boys Gymnastics Display Team still to be confirmed. A full programme of events will be published in September.
Bob Kerr, Sports Development Officer with Shetland Islands Council said: “Shetland Sports Week is taking shape with a huge commitment from local clubs and volunteers to open their doors to the public and encourage everyone to give something a go. The week offers an unprecedented opportunity to help meet the legacy challenge of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is a fantastic chance to showcase Shetland sports and for people to take part in free sports activities and workshops across Shetland.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, said: “We are delighted to hear that Chris Paterson MBE will be involved in Shetland’s Games for Scotland event helping to inspire and motivate the people of Shetland in the run up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. His success in rugby demonstrates the benefits that commitment and dedication to an active lifestyle brings.”
ENDS.
Notes to Editors
Games for Scotland
Games for Scotland is a programme of events designed to inspire, motivate, engage and engender pride in the people of Scotland in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The programme, managed by EventScotland (Scotland’s National Events Agency), 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. www.gameslegacyscotland.org.
As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games come to a close, Games for Scotland will celebrate the fact that Scotland is Next, with events inspired by the 17 Commonwealth sports featuring in Glasgow 2014 and by Scotland’s rich cultural and dance heritage.
People across Scotland are being invited to join the excitement in the lead up to 2014 by going along to one of the events taking place between 10 September and 30 November 2012. www.eventscotland.org/gamesforscotland
This year the Games for Scotland programme welcomes the Glasgow 2014 Mascot which will help to generate national, regional, and international awareness of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bringing the excitement of the Games to Scotland’s young people and encouraging them to lead an active lifestyle and participate in sport. www.glasgow2014.com.