Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 20 September 2012
20 Sep 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Community Sport Inquiry
As a former member of the Health and Sport Committee, I welcome the debate on support for community sport, and I compliment the convener and deputy convener on bringing the matter to the chamber.
Sport is the lifeblood of any nation. In Scotland, there are many sports, which are run by thousands of volunteers. I am informed that there are nearly 13,000 clubs and 150,000 volunteers running various sports clubs throughout Scotland. Volunteers are the unsung heroes and deserve all the help that Parliament can give in order to ensure that they can all take part in their sports, and to ensure that volunteers are encouraged. I welcome the committee’s inquiry.
I welcome the support that the Scottish National Party Government is giving to sport through various projects, and the substantial funding that has led to much-needed facilities being built throughout Scotland. I compliment sportscotland on what it has given to and done for various clubs in Scotland.
Over the summer I was able, along with other members of the Health and Sport Committee, to visit facilities that are being built in the east end of Glasgow to accommodate the 2014 Commonwealth games. The Commonwealth sports arena is a facility that will serve the people of Glasgow well, as it incorporates the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, a sports track, sports halls, a sauna and a plunge pool. I am sure that members will welcome the millions of pounds that have been spent on the Glasgow area, and I am sure that the facilities and houses that have been built will enhance the life of people in Glasgow as a whole.
The Government has also provided significant money for the establishment of sport hubs, with nearly 141 to be opened. Sport hubs are a welcome addition to the facilities that are already available in schools. Most hubs have been implemented through the work of councils, and I commend the minister for her work in that field. Pardon the pun, please.
I note that the number of sport hubs that are to be provided is to be increased. I agree with sportscotland that every effort should be made to raise the number above even that. I quote the comments of Stewart Harris of sportscotland, who has said that he wants to be greedy:
“Every single secondary school in Scotland would be a Hub of some sort not just for sport but for ... community activities.”
The governing bodies are doing a huge amount of work to support volunteers through partnership programmes and with support from sportscotland, working with local authorities and sports councils. Let us also not forget the work that is being carried out by NHS Scotland, which is adding in the design of sport hubs as a health-promoting resource that provides access to advice about smoking—I should maybe take that advice—healthy eating and alcohol. E-learning resources are also providing individuals with support and advice on the benefits of physical activity.
I think that I am going to beat four minutes, Presiding Officer.
Everyone must commit to aiding in the promotion of sport, and in helping in the work that is done by thousands of volunteers. I compliment the Health and Sport Committee on an excellent report.
Sport is the lifeblood of any nation. In Scotland, there are many sports, which are run by thousands of volunteers. I am informed that there are nearly 13,000 clubs and 150,000 volunteers running various sports clubs throughout Scotland. Volunteers are the unsung heroes and deserve all the help that Parliament can give in order to ensure that they can all take part in their sports, and to ensure that volunteers are encouraged. I welcome the committee’s inquiry.
I welcome the support that the Scottish National Party Government is giving to sport through various projects, and the substantial funding that has led to much-needed facilities being built throughout Scotland. I compliment sportscotland on what it has given to and done for various clubs in Scotland.
Over the summer I was able, along with other members of the Health and Sport Committee, to visit facilities that are being built in the east end of Glasgow to accommodate the 2014 Commonwealth games. The Commonwealth sports arena is a facility that will serve the people of Glasgow well, as it incorporates the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, a sports track, sports halls, a sauna and a plunge pool. I am sure that members will welcome the millions of pounds that have been spent on the Glasgow area, and I am sure that the facilities and houses that have been built will enhance the life of people in Glasgow as a whole.
The Government has also provided significant money for the establishment of sport hubs, with nearly 141 to be opened. Sport hubs are a welcome addition to the facilities that are already available in schools. Most hubs have been implemented through the work of councils, and I commend the minister for her work in that field. Pardon the pun, please.
I note that the number of sport hubs that are to be provided is to be increased. I agree with sportscotland that every effort should be made to raise the number above even that. I quote the comments of Stewart Harris of sportscotland, who has said that he wants to be greedy:
“Every single secondary school in Scotland would be a Hub of some sort not just for sport but for ... community activities.”
The governing bodies are doing a huge amount of work to support volunteers through partnership programmes and with support from sportscotland, working with local authorities and sports councils. Let us also not forget the work that is being carried out by NHS Scotland, which is adding in the design of sport hubs as a health-promoting resource that provides access to advice about smoking—I should maybe take that advice—healthy eating and alcohol. E-learning resources are also providing individuals with support and advice on the benefits of physical activity.
I think that I am going to beat four minutes, Presiding Officer.
Everyone must commit to aiding in the promotion of sport, and in helping in the work that is done by thousands of volunteers. I compliment the Health and Sport Committee on an excellent report.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-04179, in the name of Duncan McNeil, on the Health and Sport Committee’s inquiry into support for communi...
Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab)
Lab
Today we have deliberately moved the goalposts, Presiding Officer, but at least the playing field is level—and, if you are lucky, it is even a state-of-the-a...
Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
For the member’s information, I think that there are already volunteers available to take people through walking football. They are called Rangers.
Duncan McNeil
Lab
Margo MacDonald will not draw me on that one. I am feeling enough hurt as it is. I am still not ready to talk about it, and certainly not publicly.We were to...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
It is your last minute.
Duncan McNeil
Lab
I should recognise that you have blown the final whistle and sit down.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
No, you have another minute.
Duncan McNeil
Lab
In that case, I will address the issue of preventive health.A number of witnesses mentioned the idea of general practitioner referrals to sport, but the most...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Thank you very much. We are incredibly tight for time.15:45
The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport (Shona Robison)
SNP
I am very pleased to take part in the debate and welcome the Health and Sport Committee’s inquiry into community sport.I had the great privilege of attending...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the Government consider rolling out free places for our schools to enable youngsters to participate in sporting activities? More important, will the Gov...
Shona Robison
SNP
The community sport hubs are part of the solution to that, because one of sportscotland’s requirements for a hub and the partners within it concerns affordab...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
A number of community sport hubs are looking to take over buildings that are owned by city councils, for example in Dundee. I am sure that the minister knows...
Shona Robison
SNP
We have begun to do that, and there will be further announcements on the community management fund in due course.I highlight the importance of schools. We ar...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Patricia Ferguson, who has a very strict five minutes.15:53
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate the Health and Sport Committee for holding this short debate and for the inquiry that it has commenced. I also congratulate the convener on hi...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
I am in my last minute.Such a debate would give us all the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful summer of sport and to discuss in a serious and considered...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Nanette Milne has a strict five minutes.15:58
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Now that we are halfway through the Health and Sport Committee’s inquiry into community sport, and now that governing bodies, clubs and participants in sport...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We move to the open debate, which is oversubscribed. I can give members a maximum of four minutes at present, but if they were to take a bit less time I woul...
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
As a former member of the Health and Sport Committee, I welcome the debate on support for community sport, and I compliment the convener and deputy convener ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Many thanks. I am most grateful.16:06
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate this afternoon. I also welcome the community sport hubs, which are a critical part of the agenda.However, I ...
Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
When taking evidence on support for community sport, the first and most vital factor that strikes us is that, without the army of volunteers, sport—and, for ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I must point out to members that there really are no extra seconds available.16:14
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome this debate on the Health and Sport Committee’s inquiry into support for community sport. My time on that committee was oh so short. I was a ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
You have 30 seconds.
George Adam
SNP
I am aware of that, Presiding Officer.We managed to put in £10,000 per hub from the local authority. We must ensure that we give all the clubs a reason for g...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Thanks very much, Mr Adam. We are extremely tight for time, so speeches of up to four minutes would be welcomed. Less would be more in that regard. I will le...