New Sporting futures
Published 31 Jan 2012 09:30
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Talented athletes from throughout East Ayrshire are benefitting from the Council's commitment to nurturing sporting talent through a dedicated support programme and excellent new facilities.
Since the Council's Charter for Sport was launched three years ago the number of athletes receiving support has increased significantly. 31 athletes now receive Developing Potential Support - this includes an award of £200, a facility access pass, free registration on the East Ayrshire Sports Medicine Clinic and the opportunity to assess sessional employment in sports coaching. 5 athletes receive Podium Potential Support, which is similar to developing potential but has a financial award of £1000. A further 13 candidates are awaiting final assessment from the Institute of Sport and it is hoped that the developing potential group will be bolstered by a further 10 athletes!
Councillor Kathy Morrice, Spokesperson for Improving Community Health and Wellbeing said: "Our talented athletes are a real credit to our area and I don't just mean within their chosen sport. They have all been incredibly generous with their time, enthusiastically participating in community events and being fantastic role models for our young people.
""Kilmarnock Amateur Weightlifting Club, in particular, have worked closely with HMP Kilmarnock on a voluntary basis to develop safe and sustained use of the gym but have also provided advice on technique, positive psychology and nutrition which has had a very positive effect on the prison. It is hoped that it will also act as a preventative intervention for when prisoners are released."
In addition to this very successful development programme, the Council has been building excellent sports facilities which will help to encourage our young people participate in sport at the highest level. The sports facilities available at the Grange and St Joseph's Leisure Centres can deliver high level sports activities and events and mean that our local clubs are delivering sport within the best of facilities. Stewarton Sports Centre also greatly increases access to sport locally with fantastic facilities for a huge range of sports; an excellent dance studio and of course there is the FIFA 2* rated synthetic pitch which will greatly improve the coaching and performance of local football clubs. These developments will soon be complimented by the athletics facility at Queens Drive which is set to become a massive asset to East Ayrshire for both sport and health development.
Councillor Morrice added: "The facilities available to our local clubs and our schools provide the opportunity to train our young people in exceptional facilities. Coupled with community based development programmes; a very successful club mentoring programme and facility discount schemes for all voluntary, amateur sports clubs affiliated to East Ayrshire Sports Council, we have high hopes for the future. I am sure that the number of talented athletes in our area will continue to rise in the coming years."
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