Sport can make a significant and positive contribution to many areas of our lives, and it is vital that everyone has the opportunity to participate. The Government is committed to removing all barriers in anyone's path and encouraging people to take part in sporting activities at all levels. Government funding for sport is channelled through Sportscotland and distributed by them in line with Sport 21 and Government policies. Sportscotland are also the main deliverers of the Government's policies on sports issues.
The Scottish Government has three strands of work on sport:
- increased participation, focusing on grassroots sport;
- support for Scotland's elite sportsmen and sportswomen with a view to improving performance; and
- ensuring Scotland makes the most of its opportunities from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics
In particular, strategic information on the following is available:
Major Events: news and information about the London 2012 Games, the UK School Games, and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
- National Strategies - background to the promotion and development of quality coaching in Scotland, 'Reaching Higher' (Scotland's national strategy for sport sets out the framework within which the Scottish Government works with Sport Scotland, local authorities, sports governing bodies and others), sports facilities strategy, and the volunteering strategy.
- Participation, which includes an introduction to policy on athlete support, Institutes of Sport, and the World Class Performance Programme.
- Safety - including mountain safety, safety at sports grounds and events (including policy on alcohol control and safety certification), and information about Football Banning Orders.
- Performance Sports Summit - a summary of the discussions at the summit.
- 2014 Games Legacy - information about the Scottish Government's work on delivering a lasting legacy for Scotland from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Where the information within this class can be located
This class of information can be located within the ' Sport' section of the Scottish Government website or through one of the alternative routes described under section 5 of this scheme.