Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 December 2013
10 Dec 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Youth Sport Strategy
Progress is always to be welcomed, but we must recognise the challenges that remain. We would be doing the young people about whom we are talking a huge disservice if we did not acknowledge those challenges. Of course, at the same time, there is an overall decline in physical activity, as Scottish Labour has noted in its amendment.
A useful starting point would be to ensure that all young people are physically literate before they leave primary school and that primary school PE concentrates on supporting them to enable them to run, jump, throw, catch and swim with confidence. The optimum age for that seems to be between about eight and 12, so primary school time coincides with the most crucial period for that development. That is incredibly important, because without those core skills young people will struggle to progress whereas, with them, they will be equipped to develop in the sport or sports of their choice.
The involvement of teachers and education policy makers—including the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning—is vital to that agenda. I hope that the minister will assure us that such a commitment exists. I note that sportscotland has reported that many schools are now well equipped to take forward the agenda—which is welcome—but that some serious challenges remain.
If we really want to change the culture and increase the number of young people who are involved in sport, we have to invest in it. I hope that the minister’s colleagues in health, education and justice will contribute financially from their departmental budgets.
The Scottish Labour amendment draws attention to the decrease in physical activity that has occurred in recent years. We recognise not only that that is a complex matter for the health and wellbeing of our nation, but that it is a serious one that needs to be addressed by the combined efforts of Government departments. Similarly, and in recognition of the transformational nature of sport in relation to community cohesion, the justice department must bring its resources, in terms of diversion and cashback for communities moneys.
There seems to be a particular problem with the level of young people’s involvement in sport after transitional times in their lives, when they move from primary to secondary school and from secondary school to further and higher education or employment. We need to find a way to encourage them to remain involved. We must ensure that there is a pathway for them to find the club, gym or track that will allow them seamlessly to continue their involvement, and to progress to the limits of their ambition. Active schools are very important in the transition between schools, which is a transition not only educationally but in terms of sport and activity. One can complement the other.
The minister knows of my concern that young people who have disabilities should have as many opportunities as their peers who do not have disabilities. I was pleased to note that the draft strategy mentions Scottish Disability Sport’s inclusion training, but it could go further. I hope that the final version of the strategy will acknowledge the additional benefits of physical activity to young people who have disabilities and will ensure that that is recognised and supported. As I have mentioned previously in debate, I hope, too, that the additional cost of adapted equipment is recognised.
We read that young people want to see their hard work and dedication respected, recognised and rewarded. They are quite right to highlight that. For that reason, I welcome the school sports awards, which all schools will strive to achieve.
However, perhaps we could go further. As the minister said in opening, earlier today we celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela. I suggest that there might be a tangible way in which we could recognise his achievement, his legacy and Scotland’s respect for him. As we know, Nelson Mandela was a keen boxer in his youth and was someone who truly understood the value of sport and the importance of the symbolism that often accompanies it. I will repeat the quotation that the minister gave; it bears repeating. In Monaco in 2000, Nelson Mandela spoke of the transformational nature of sport when he said:
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
Perhaps the minister would consider establishing in the name of Nelson Mandela a scholarship fund to help the sporting or academic achievement of young people from low-income backgrounds or people who have shown a real commitment to using sport to help to break down barriers. I hope that she will at least consider the idea and recognise that sport can help to encourage people to work together for the good of their community.
The debate is all too brief, but I sincerely hope that it will provide an appropriate launch pad for the consultation on the youth sports strategy.
I move amendment S4M-08546.2, to insert at end:
“; voices concern at the findings of the Scottish Health Survey 2012, which highlighted that the proportion of children meeting physical activity guidelines ‘has not changed significantly since 2008’ and that, while children’s participation in sport and exercise increased between 1998 and 2009, levels have been declining since; believes in the importance of promoting inclusion and solidarity through sport and physical activity, and believes that the Youth Sport Strategy should address these issues”.
17:18
A useful starting point would be to ensure that all young people are physically literate before they leave primary school and that primary school PE concentrates on supporting them to enable them to run, jump, throw, catch and swim with confidence. The optimum age for that seems to be between about eight and 12, so primary school time coincides with the most crucial period for that development. That is incredibly important, because without those core skills young people will struggle to progress whereas, with them, they will be equipped to develop in the sport or sports of their choice.
The involvement of teachers and education policy makers—including the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning—is vital to that agenda. I hope that the minister will assure us that such a commitment exists. I note that sportscotland has reported that many schools are now well equipped to take forward the agenda—which is welcome—but that some serious challenges remain.
If we really want to change the culture and increase the number of young people who are involved in sport, we have to invest in it. I hope that the minister’s colleagues in health, education and justice will contribute financially from their departmental budgets.
The Scottish Labour amendment draws attention to the decrease in physical activity that has occurred in recent years. We recognise not only that that is a complex matter for the health and wellbeing of our nation, but that it is a serious one that needs to be addressed by the combined efforts of Government departments. Similarly, and in recognition of the transformational nature of sport in relation to community cohesion, the justice department must bring its resources, in terms of diversion and cashback for communities moneys.
There seems to be a particular problem with the level of young people’s involvement in sport after transitional times in their lives, when they move from primary to secondary school and from secondary school to further and higher education or employment. We need to find a way to encourage them to remain involved. We must ensure that there is a pathway for them to find the club, gym or track that will allow them seamlessly to continue their involvement, and to progress to the limits of their ambition. Active schools are very important in the transition between schools, which is a transition not only educationally but in terms of sport and activity. One can complement the other.
The minister knows of my concern that young people who have disabilities should have as many opportunities as their peers who do not have disabilities. I was pleased to note that the draft strategy mentions Scottish Disability Sport’s inclusion training, but it could go further. I hope that the final version of the strategy will acknowledge the additional benefits of physical activity to young people who have disabilities and will ensure that that is recognised and supported. As I have mentioned previously in debate, I hope, too, that the additional cost of adapted equipment is recognised.
We read that young people want to see their hard work and dedication respected, recognised and rewarded. They are quite right to highlight that. For that reason, I welcome the school sports awards, which all schools will strive to achieve.
However, perhaps we could go further. As the minister said in opening, earlier today we celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela. I suggest that there might be a tangible way in which we could recognise his achievement, his legacy and Scotland’s respect for him. As we know, Nelson Mandela was a keen boxer in his youth and was someone who truly understood the value of sport and the importance of the symbolism that often accompanies it. I will repeat the quotation that the minister gave; it bears repeating. In Monaco in 2000, Nelson Mandela spoke of the transformational nature of sport when he said:
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
Perhaps the minister would consider establishing in the name of Nelson Mandela a scholarship fund to help the sporting or academic achievement of young people from low-income backgrounds or people who have shown a real commitment to using sport to help to break down barriers. I hope that she will at least consider the idea and recognise that sport can help to encourage people to work together for the good of their community.
The debate is all too brief, but I sincerely hope that it will provide an appropriate launch pad for the consultation on the youth sports strategy.
I move amendment S4M-08546.2, to insert at end:
“; voices concern at the findings of the Scottish Health Survey 2012, which highlighted that the proportion of children meeting physical activity guidelines ‘has not changed significantly since 2008’ and that, while children’s participation in sport and exercise increased between 1998 and 2009, levels have been declining since; believes in the importance of promoting inclusion and solidarity through sport and physical activity, and believes that the Youth Sport Strategy should address these issues”.
17:18
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-08546, in the name of Shona Robison, on the youth sport strategy.16:59
The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport (Shona Robison)
SNP
I am delighted to address Parliament on “Giving children and young people a sporting chance: a draft Strategy for Scotland”, which we published yesterday.Ear...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I agree with the sports minister about the principle of giving young people opportunities. Does she recognise that in outlying areas an argument is being mad...
Shona Robison
SNP
I am happy to take that point on board and to give it further consideration.The draft strategy sets out in some detail what we are doing, collectively, and w...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I am sure that the minister is aware, in presenting those statistics, that when the Parliament was established very few new PE teachers were being recruited....
Shona Robison
SNP
I am sure that that is true, to some extent. What is also true is that the priority that is given to PE, particularly in the primary sector, is now far more ...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
Shona Robison
SNP
I will do so in a second. If we were to remove that resource, the quantity and quality of PE that children in primary schools get would be drastically reduce...
Liz Smith
Con
I thank the minister for that comment. Quality is extremely important. Parents want PE to be provided by qualified PE instructors. When I made a freedom of i...
Shona Robison
SNP
PE specialists have an important role to play, particularly in supporting classroom teachers and in creating links between secondary schools and their feeder...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to speak in the debate. For reasons that will become clear later, I am also pleased that the minister chose the quotation that she did from Nels...
Shona Robison
SNP
I welcome Patricia Ferguson’s comments on the role of classroom teachers. Does she not recognise the huge progress that has been made towards all schools ach...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
Progress is always to be welcomed, but we must recognise the challenges that remain. We would be doing the young people about whom we are talking a huge diss...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I thank the minister for writing to the relevant spokesmen in the parties back in October to ask us to give some input. I congratulate the young people who h...
Shona Robison
SNP
In the 2011 manifesto, we recognised that the classroom teacher is a key resource in delivering PE. I absolutely acknowledge that now. I hope that Liz Smith ...
Liz Smith
Con
Absolutely. I think that the two are complementary. The fact remains that specialist PE teachers were mentioned in the SNP manifesto. There must have been a ...
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the launch of the Scottish Government’s draft strategy on youth sport and the opportunity to take part in today’s debate. It is appropriate that th...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Many of us are using this afternoon’s debate to pay our own personal tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela, in particular his powerful and resonant message a...
Shona Robison
SNP
I am not sure that I agree with the vision that Ken Macintosh painted of facilities. When I look around me, I see fantastic new facilities not just in the we...
Ken Macintosh
Lab
I absolutely welcome new facilities every time that they are opened. However, I am conscious that we are still losing parks, playgrounds and tennis courts. J...
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
You will need to make it quickly.
Ken Macintosh
Lab
In those years, a catastrophic falling-off occurs in participation in sport, particularly among girls. It does not have to be that way. If we take the exampl...
Aileen McLeod (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak and I welcome the launch of the consultation on the draft strategy. I thank the young people’s sport panel for its work an...
Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
I have an interest to declare—I am the Parliament’s one qualified specialist PE teacher. I might have two sticks these days, but I would not even be going ar...
Shona Robison
SNP
The strategy is about giving young people the core skills so that they can go on to enjoy sport, a by-product of which will be a healthier life. The quality ...
Margo MacDonald
Ind
Obviously, I am pleased to hear that.We have not yet identified a strategic way to develop sports that suit Scotland. The figures show that fewer young peopl...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Can I ask you to wind up, please?
Margo MacDonald
Ind
I have said my piece. Thank you, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You are very welcome, Ms MacDonald.17:42
Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the strategy for youth sports and in particular the input by the young people’s sport panel. It is good that those whom we want to encourage to par...