Sports revolution call after Murray triumph

Political Editor

Wednesday 12 September 2012

SCOTLAND'S sports bodies have called for a radical overhaul of Government policy to secure a lasting legacy from Andy Murray's US Open tennis victory and a golden summer of sport.

ACE: Andy Murray with the US Open tennis trophy in downtown New York yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

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Magnus Gardham Political Editor

The Dunblane-born player achieved one of Scotland's greatest sporting feats, with a thrilling triumph against Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows in New York, as back home a plea was made to nurture a new generation of heroes.

Yesterday, Murray revelled in his new-found fame as Britain's first man to win a Grand Slam singles title in 76 years. The world No 3 appeared on American TV and paraded the gleaming trophy outside NBC's studios in downtown New York and in Central Park.Scottish Labour sport spokeswoman Patricia Ferguson said: "We need a rethink across a range of policies to ensure we are doing all we can to produce another Andy Murray, another Sir Chris Hoy. Scotland has a two-year window now to capitalise on the good feeling generated by the Olympics and the excitement about the forthcoming Commonwealth Games."Organisations demanded a new focus on school sport – especially in primary schools – to address "very poor levels of physical fitness" among Scots children.The Government also faced calls to switch funding from councils to local clubs and to recognise and encourage volunteer coaches with SQA-accredited qualifications.Bodies representing several sports, including swimming, urged ministers to back them with funds from the successful "cashback for communities" scheme which channels money confiscated from criminals into local projects.It came as MSPs on Holyrood's health and sport committee heard from more than 50 governing bodies, sports clubs, charities and local authority sports organisations during a wide- ranging inquiry into grassroots sport.Although not involved in the consultation, Tennis Scotland called for more resources to upgrade municipal courts. It also backed specialist teacher training to enable schools to utilise "mini-tennis" facilities in gyms and sports halls.Business development manager Lee Boucher said: "There are 2500 tennis courts in Scotland, but of those only 900 are in clubs. We are developing a facilities strategy, but part of that is sure to be working with local authorities to get courts in disrepair back up to scratch." David Drummond, the SFA's regional manager for south-east Scotland, said later: "We need to raise sport up the schools agenda. A big part of that is upskilling teachers to be more confident and comfortable at delivering sport, so it does not just come down to sports specialists or PE specialists."To me, secondary school is too late. Primary teachers have a broad focus and it's a question of how we add sports to the range."Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby's director of operations, said multi-sports clubs should be embedded in schools to give every child the opportunity to find a sport that is right for them.He told MSPs: "To me, sport has been marginalised over the years from an over-complication of the whole process."We now have a distinction between physical education, physical activity and sport that is unhelpful, and sport is being marginalised by that. We've heard 'Inspire A Generation' throughout the summer but if that generation has no opportunity to participate in what they are watching, then what is the point in inspiring them?"In a written submission, Scottish Rugby attacked the "fragile nature of sports provision" in schools and called for greater funding to secure a "lasting legacy" from the Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It said urgent steps were needed to tackle "very poor levels of physical fitness, physical competence or generic sporting skills as a result of inadequate PE provision in schools".Sarah Pryde, regional development manager for Scottish Swimming, urged the Government to make funds from the cashback for communities programme more widely available to smaller sports. The Scottish Golf Union suggested GPs could refer people with particular conditions to sport.The SNP have struggled to deliver a 2007 election pledge to ensure all school pupils receive two hours of PE a week, but ministers hope to fulfil the promise for primary kids by 2014. They are also working towards a watered-down pledge of "two periods" of PE – about 80 minutes – for all S1 to S4 pupils."A Government spokeswoman said: "Our active schools network is providing five million opportunities for young people to try sports, and we are opening up schools to become community sports hubs to help people get healthier and more active. "Our 2014 Games Legacy Programme is creating lasting benefits. We continue to increase the number of world-class facilities across Scotland – such as the Commonwealth Arena, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Commonwealth Pool, the Aberdeen Sports Village, and the Tollcross Aquatics Centre. There is a commitment to deliver a National Performance Centre by 2016."

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Sports revolution call after Murray triumph

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