Release Date: 2006-04-04
Original Link: http://presszoom.com/story_115663.html
Source: Scottish Executive
Cricket Scotland was bowled an investment of £317,000 today to help improve coaching, the development of junior players and the organisation of the game.
(PressZoom.com) - Scotland rank 12th in the world and have securied a place in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson was at a National Cricket Academy Easter camp in Edinburgh to announce the money from sportscotland, including £144,000 from the National Lottery.
Ms Ferguson said:
"Cricket has a long history in Scotland and this investment will help to ensure the sport has a bright future. Funding will help to develop the youth game and support clubs as they promote cricket at a local level as well as providing a boost for the Scottish team as they prepare for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies."
The Cricket Scotland development team has grown from three to ten in the last three years and now covers the whole country, promoting and delivering a wide range of cricket programmes.
By 2006 all 200 cricket clubs in the country will aim to have teams in at least one junior age group as part of Cricket Scotland's TOPclub programme.
Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland chief executive, said:
"Cricket in Scotland continues to progress in all areas. The support of sportscotland is invaluable in assisting us to put the structures and programmes in place to drive our game forward."
Julia Bracewell, Chair, sportscotland, said: "The £317,000 investment will support key areas of Cricket Scotland's long-term development plan, with the aim to encourage people of all ages to participate at a recreational level and to drive the sport, its coaches and officials to a higher performance standard.
"sportscotland is also committed to making sure that all our talented players and teams have the development and support needed to play on a world level for Scotland, and we wish the national team good progress in the lead up to the 2007 World Cup."