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Coronavirus Scottish sports minister: Sport will play a central role in Scotland’s recovery

SPORT will play a key role in Scotland’s recovery from Covid according sports minister Mairi Gougeon.

Meetings held today discussed the challenges and possible solutions facing the sector with representatives from 35 sports.

Talks centred around issues such as finances, access to facilities and membership levels. Commitments were made to use sport and physical activity to provide economic, health, education and social benefits as Scotland prepares to bounce back from the effects of Covid-19.

Gougeon said: “We know that being active is one of the best ways to improve or maintain our physical and mental wellbeing, and this has been particularly so during the pandemic.

“As we start to carefully ease lockdown restrictions while continuing to suppress the virus, there is no doubt that sport will play a central role in Scotland’s recovery.

“Our continuing collaboration with the sector is vital as we work to tackle the issues facing sports clubs as a result of Covid-19.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sports governing bodies, who have worked tirelessly to ensure sport can continue to operate safely within the restrictions.”

The Sports Governing Bodies Chief Executive Officers Forum has been established to develop a greater collective approach from the 35 organisations.

The chair, Vinny Bryson of Scottish Archery and Scottish Fencing, said: “It was important to have the opportunity to speak with the minister for sport about the challenges facing the sector but also to outline how SGBs can be a part of the solution.

“For the minister to listen to 35 Scottish sports governing body CEOs and hear one collective voice is powerful and demonstrates our shared commitment to using the power of sport as part of the national recovery efforts of our nation.

“We are all keen to play our part in restarting and shaping the future of sport as we emerge from the Covid-19 restrictions over the next few months and today’s discussions will support this approach.

“All our governing bodies are keen to have the clubs and members they represent at the heart of the nation’s mental and physical recovery from this pandemic. For the nation to rebuild and thrive again, it must be an active one.”

Sportscotland chief executive Harris believes the sector has shown “remarkable resilience” and added: “We need to recover, rebuild and restart with confidence.

“I fully believe that we will do that, when the time is right, because we have a system that is committed to working together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

“There is a lot of hard work still to be done but we will get through this together.”

The talks came a day after the Scottish Football Association declared it was waiting for a decision from the Scottish Government over the fate of suspended levels of the game.

The government has previously pledged a £55 million support package for sport while Sport Scotland accelerated £32.4m of funding and relaxed delivery targets. The national agency also created a £1.5m support fund.

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