Chamber
Plenary, 04 May 2000
04 May 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Sport
David Mundell has struck a chord with me—I remember being second to last to be chosen on most occasions when teams were picked. I will not tell members about the condition of the person who was last to be picked.
I will tell a wee story—I usually tell wee stories and David Mundell has provided me with a way in to one about social inclusion in sport. Two or three months ago, I was going through some old papers when I came across the draw sheet that named all the participants in a British boys golf championship at Carnoustie that I played in in the 1950s. There, on the sheet, was the name of Ian Jenkins from Rothesay Academy. Three or four places further up the list was the name of Lord James Douglas-Hamilton from Eton College. I am sorry to say that Lord James did better than me, but that was a bit of social integration that I am sure we both benefited from.
Sport has long been recognised as an agent of social mobility and, to some extent, social inclusion. We can all think of boxing heroes—lads from poor backgrounds who have become popular and won fame and financial rewards—such as Benny Lynch, Barry McGuigan and Jim Watt. In soccer, there are many players and some managers who have made the grade in a big way.
In wider terms, states such as Kenya and other north African nations take a proud place on the Olympic and world stages in ways that win them self-respect and international respect well beyond that which is generated by their economic strengths.
However, in this debate we are not talking about high-profile, skilful individuals whose sporting ability has lifted them out of a disadvantaged environment. We are talking about something more important than that—the lifestyle and life chances of socially excluded youngsters and others across the country. We are talking about combating serious potential health problems. It is a real worry that surveys have shown that youngsters are not taking enough exercise to protect their health, and it would be good if we could convince local authorities and schools of the crucial importance of sport.
I worry about making additional demands on the school curriculum, but I support the "Sport 21" objective of increasing the amount of time that is dedicated to physical education in primary schools. Life-enhancing activities such as music and sport, which have the potential to change people's lives positively for long after they leave primary school, should be given a higher priority than some of the more ephemeral elements of the curriculum, if there is competition between the two.
We are talking also about the social development of individuals. As David Mundell said, working with others in teams and clubs can give isolated individuals a much-needed sense of belonging. We must recognise the tremendous power of peer-group pressure and of youngsters' need to be accepted by their group. It is a challenge for us, because if we can make it cool to play sport and harness peer group pressure positively, through sport, we will be doing ourselves and the individuals concerned a massive favour.
Sport can give an individual a sense of self-respect. Youngsters who do not do well at school may succeed in non-academic areas. Sport and games can also bring excitement into young people's lives. Youngsters seek excitement, and the opportunity to take part in sports and games can offer a creative and positive outlet for the urge to seek colour in what might otherwise be grey lives in poor areas. Without sport, excitement may be found in socially destructive ways.
Sport can also help foster a sense of community identity. People are proud of successes from their communities. They identify with local sports men and women and local teams. The very existence of such teams and clubs provides a focus for the hopes and aspirations of the community from which they spring.
I commend to the chamber the summary papers of a series of forums that were held by "Sport 21" implementation and review groups during the last quarter of last year. In the context of today's debate, I would pick out the work of the sport and social inclusion forum and the work of the forums on sport and schools and sport and the voluntary sector. The last of those recognises the vital importance of unpaid volunteers in the promotion of sport across the country.
All the reports emphasise the importance of opportunity and access—the need for local and affordable provision right down at the neighbourhood level, as Fiona McLeod said. The nature of the provision is also important—it must be attractive to youngsters and it may need to be presented differently from how it was presented in the past. We must also be careful about the cost of participation. People always want to have the best sports equipment—even kids who come from poorer backgrounds want to look good, which is expensive.
The importance of local government's role is recognised in the papers. One problem is that not all authorities view sport and leisure as core services. In the context of social inclusion, that must be remedied.
Funding is also mentioned in the papers. Lottery funding can be helpful, but here, as in many other areas, there is a danger of setting up projects on three-year funding that find themselves in difficulties at the end of that period. This Parliament needs to examine three-year funding, in sport as well as in other areas.
The forums point to a positive way ahead. I am convinced that the programmes to which the minister has referred in this debate and in a parliamentary answer are leading us in the right direction. If we can increase participation in sport across the board, society will benefit through having a healthier population and through the positive economic benefits that will go with that. Communities will benefit through having identity, pride and social cohesion. Men, women and children will benefit, both as individuals and as social beings. I commend the Executive's approach. Although I am unhealthy, unfit and worried, I call on Scots everywhere to get up, get out, and get active.
I will tell a wee story—I usually tell wee stories and David Mundell has provided me with a way in to one about social inclusion in sport. Two or three months ago, I was going through some old papers when I came across the draw sheet that named all the participants in a British boys golf championship at Carnoustie that I played in in the 1950s. There, on the sheet, was the name of Ian Jenkins from Rothesay Academy. Three or four places further up the list was the name of Lord James Douglas-Hamilton from Eton College. I am sorry to say that Lord James did better than me, but that was a bit of social integration that I am sure we both benefited from.
Sport has long been recognised as an agent of social mobility and, to some extent, social inclusion. We can all think of boxing heroes—lads from poor backgrounds who have become popular and won fame and financial rewards—such as Benny Lynch, Barry McGuigan and Jim Watt. In soccer, there are many players and some managers who have made the grade in a big way.
In wider terms, states such as Kenya and other north African nations take a proud place on the Olympic and world stages in ways that win them self-respect and international respect well beyond that which is generated by their economic strengths.
However, in this debate we are not talking about high-profile, skilful individuals whose sporting ability has lifted them out of a disadvantaged environment. We are talking about something more important than that—the lifestyle and life chances of socially excluded youngsters and others across the country. We are talking about combating serious potential health problems. It is a real worry that surveys have shown that youngsters are not taking enough exercise to protect their health, and it would be good if we could convince local authorities and schools of the crucial importance of sport.
I worry about making additional demands on the school curriculum, but I support the "Sport 21" objective of increasing the amount of time that is dedicated to physical education in primary schools. Life-enhancing activities such as music and sport, which have the potential to change people's lives positively for long after they leave primary school, should be given a higher priority than some of the more ephemeral elements of the curriculum, if there is competition between the two.
We are talking also about the social development of individuals. As David Mundell said, working with others in teams and clubs can give isolated individuals a much-needed sense of belonging. We must recognise the tremendous power of peer-group pressure and of youngsters' need to be accepted by their group. It is a challenge for us, because if we can make it cool to play sport and harness peer group pressure positively, through sport, we will be doing ourselves and the individuals concerned a massive favour.
Sport can give an individual a sense of self-respect. Youngsters who do not do well at school may succeed in non-academic areas. Sport and games can also bring excitement into young people's lives. Youngsters seek excitement, and the opportunity to take part in sports and games can offer a creative and positive outlet for the urge to seek colour in what might otherwise be grey lives in poor areas. Without sport, excitement may be found in socially destructive ways.
Sport can also help foster a sense of community identity. People are proud of successes from their communities. They identify with local sports men and women and local teams. The very existence of such teams and clubs provides a focus for the hopes and aspirations of the community from which they spring.
I commend to the chamber the summary papers of a series of forums that were held by "Sport 21" implementation and review groups during the last quarter of last year. In the context of today's debate, I would pick out the work of the sport and social inclusion forum and the work of the forums on sport and schools and sport and the voluntary sector. The last of those recognises the vital importance of unpaid volunteers in the promotion of sport across the country.
All the reports emphasise the importance of opportunity and access—the need for local and affordable provision right down at the neighbourhood level, as Fiona McLeod said. The nature of the provision is also important—it must be attractive to youngsters and it may need to be presented differently from how it was presented in the past. We must also be careful about the cost of participation. People always want to have the best sports equipment—even kids who come from poorer backgrounds want to look good, which is expensive.
The importance of local government's role is recognised in the papers. One problem is that not all authorities view sport and leisure as core services. In the context of social inclusion, that must be remedied.
Funding is also mentioned in the papers. Lottery funding can be helpful, but here, as in many other areas, there is a danger of setting up projects on three-year funding that find themselves in difficulties at the end of that period. This Parliament needs to examine three-year funding, in sport as well as in other areas.
The forums point to a positive way ahead. I am convinced that the programmes to which the minister has referred in this debate and in a parliamentary answer are leading us in the right direction. If we can increase participation in sport across the board, society will benefit through having a healthier population and through the positive economic benefits that will go with that. Communities will benefit through having identity, pride and social cohesion. Men, women and children will benefit, both as individuals and as social beings. I commend the Executive's approach. Although I am unhealthy, unfit and worried, I call on Scots everywhere to get up, get out, and get active.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
Our next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-793, in the name of Rhona Brankin, on the role of sport in social inclusion, and amendments to that motion.
The Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport (Rhona Brankin):
Lab
I am delighted to open this Parliament's first full debate on sport and to make the link between sport and our vision of achieving a fairer and more just Sco...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
I would like to get further into my speech.Sport must have a strong and meaningful partnership with health and education, in particular. It must look to itse...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I am sure that all members agree with everything the minister has said. The minister took the trouble, as did many other members, to hear the case that was p...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
I thank Fergus Ewing for his kind words of support. Decisions about funding are taken by sportscotland, which is receiving an extra £1.5 million through the ...
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
Not just now.Sportscotland has recently commissioned two pieces of research that relate to that target in the wider context of social inclusion. The first pi...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I am grateful to the minister for giving way. Will the minister address the place of community sports facilities in the Executive's thinking? She will recall...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
As Nicola Sturgeon would expect, social inclusion depends on active, involved communities. To answer her point about Pollokshaws sports centre, Glasgow City ...
Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
If Lloyd Quinan does not mind, I must move on.While facilities are important, the top priority is to engage with people. As I said, the outcome of the compre...
Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
No, I am running out of time.We favour enhancing the links between supporters and their clubs for the benefit of both. I propose to raise the matter at the n...
Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
As the minister has said, sport can bring us together, as players and participants or as fans and spectators. I regret that this afternoon's self-congratulat...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
Is Fiona McLeod aware that for a long time sportscotland, which manages lottery funding for sport, sought applications for money for cricket and associated p...
Fiona McLeod:
SNP
I am glad to hear that a private school is opening its doors to the public when it is getting public funding. The point that we return to is that two of the ...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I have no doubt that the opportunity to participate in sporting activity, however defined—I will return to that later—can be one of the most pleasurable, rew...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
Will David Mundell give way?
David Mundell:
Con
I am about to confirm that neither was it a boost to my confidence to be potentially the last to be picked—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
Order. Is Mr Mundell giving way?
David Mundell:
Con
Not at this point. I will give way at the end of my life experience story, which Margo has interrupted.My point is that the environment did not encourage tho...
Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
David Mundell has struck a chord with me—I remember being second to last to be chosen on most occasions when teams were picked. I will not tell members about...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Thirteen members have asked to speak. Clearly, it will not be possible to include them all. However, it would be helpful if speeches could be kept to around ...
Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab):
Lab
As one of the great unfit, I welcome this debate. Since I was elected, I have had no time to get to the gym, which I used to do regularly. During David Munde...
Ms Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab):
Lab
Who won?
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
Who do you think won? I am very non-competitive, as Margaret Curran knows.I wanted to say a wee bit about some of the genuine opportunities for social inclus...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I endorse what Cathy Jamieson has just said and will come back to that, but I must deal first with the terrible trauma revealed from the Tory front bench. I ...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
Is the member aware that top play top sport involves specialist teachers going into primary schools? While I take the point that there could be more speciali...
Ms MacDonald:
SNP
Thank you. I agree but I want more of them.I question the statistics that the minister gave that show 50 per cent of women taking part in sport. A huge numbe...