Sports clubs get Commonwealth funding

Mar 31 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LOCAL politicians yesterday welcomed a cash boost for two local sports clubs.

Perthshire Rugby Club received an £879 award from the Big Lottery Fund’s 2014 Communities programme.

The grant will be used to purchase skipping ropes, balance discs, medicine balls, powerbags, viper belts, speed power resistors, ram reaction balls and bibs.

Letham Community Sports Club also received an £801 award.

The grant will be used to pay for footballs, marker cones, inflatable goals, the hire of facilities and promotions.

MSP Roseanna Cunningham and MP Pete Wishart both expressed delight at the awards.

Mr Wishart said: “2014 Communities is the first

programme in Scotland to make funding available for community groups and organisations to build a legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games up and down the country and I was delighted to learn that two groups in my constituency are amongst the first to benefit.

“Congratulations to everyone involved at Letham Community Sports Club and Perthshire Rugby Club for securing this funding and I am sure that they will make excellent use of the equipment this money will provide.

“It is a refreshing contrast to the way in which money has been siphoned off from lottery good causes to bankroll the London Olympics to see grass roots sport benefiting from the lottery and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Ms Cunningham added: “From getting the youngest primary school kids involved in organised sport to supporting those challenging at the upper reaches of national leagues, the awards made to these Perth clubs underlines the breadth of support which the 2014 Communities programmes is designed to provide.”