Working Group on Scottish sport

An expert group is to examine the development of Scottish sport and the opportunities for sport with independence.

The Working Group on Scottish Sport, set up by the Scottish Government, will consider how the country can remain at the leading edge of sports development, and the additional opportunities for athletes to compete on the international stage, following independence.

The group will be chaired by former First Minister Henry McLeish, with a final report being produced by spring 2014. Among the topics it will consider are:

• The action necessary to ensure Scotland can be successful in future Olympics and Paralympics in its own right;
• The continuing development required to ensure that Scotland remains a country of sporting excellence, with opportunity at all levels;
• The potential for sharing facilities and resources across the Home Nations and abroad.

Sport Minister Shona Robison said:

“This Government has a proven track record in investing in sport and next year, Scotland will host the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, two of the biggest global sporting events. We enjoy world-class competition and training venues, support for high performance athletes and opportunities for all at new or upgraded grassroots facilities across the country. I want this to continue with independence.

“Sport and physical activity has a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing, so the referendum in September next year gives us the chance to consider how Scottish sport could be better off with independence, with more opportunities to compete on the international stage, and a greater say on how best to develop our athletes.

“I’m very pleased that Henry McLeish has agreed to chair the Working Group. Henry’s lifelong passion for sport and experience of government will help produce a blueprint for a world class sporting system in an independent Scotland and a model for the continuing development of Scottish sport.”

Henry McLeish said:

“Scotland has a proud history of sporting achievement, both at an elite and grassroots level, which gives us a great platform on which to plan for the future. I welcome this opportunity to work with an experienced and diverse group to give independent and considered views on what will deliver the greatest opportunities for sport and physical activity in Scotland in the coming decades.”