The
funding will enable Scottish Rugby to continue to deliver the grassroots
programmes which have seen a 56 per cent increase in registered rugby players
in clubs and schools since 2008. This includes 29 Schools of Rugby across the
country as well as their highly successful Street Rugby
sessions.
Yesterday's announcement brings the total amount we
have invested and committed to encouraging young people into rugby activity
through the SRU to more than £5.9m - with £74 million invested or
committed through Cashback overall since 2008. £1.25m of CashBack funds
has also been invested in rugby facilities across the country through
sportscotland.
One
region in particular that has benefited from CashBack funding is Ayrshire,
which now has over 3,600 registered players in clubs and schools across Ayr,
Cumnock, Carrick, Marr, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Ardrossan and
Garnock.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, met with
some of the participants when he visited Kilmarnock . Justice Secretary Kenny
MacAskill, said: “Since Cashback for Communities was introduced by this
Government in 2007, thousands of young people have benefited from over 1.2
million sporting, arts and community activities, all funded from ill-gotten
cash seized from crooks.
“There is no doubt that our young people are the
key to building a healthier, more prosperous Scotland for the future and I am
delighted to announce over £2.25 million of funding being made available
to Scottish Rugby for investing in our young people and their communities.
Yesterday's announcement brings the total amount we have invested and
committed to encouraging young people into rugby activity through the SRU to
more than £5.9m since Cashback began, with a further £1.25m being
invested in rugby facilities across the country.
“The funding will support Scottish Rugby deliver
29 schools of rugby as well as Street Rugby and will continue to give young
people a positive alternative to becoming involved in anti-social behaviour by
encouraging them to become more active and healthy, and adopt good values and
behaviours.
“Cashback is uniquely placed to tap into the
significant potential of every young person and contribute to our Legacy
ambitions of a flourishing, active Scotland. It is always a privilege to meet
those who have benefited from the initiative and hear the positive impact the
programme has had on their lives, and I am delighted that the Scottish
Government will continue to fund Cashback into 2017.”
Scottish Rugby President, Donald Macleod, added:
“We welcome once again this significant investment from the Scottish
Government, which will enable us to continue to open doors for young people,
boys and girls, from all walks of life, not just to enjoy our sport but to
become active physically, with communities and society as a whole, around the
country, very much the winner.”
Former pupil of Grange Academy’s School of Rugby,
Gregor Paxton, is a prime example of someone who has thrived as a result of
Scottish Rugby’s initiatives funded by CashBack, having recently been
selected to play at international level with Scotland under
16.
Paxton, who played for his local club Kilmarnock before
moving onto Ayr this season, said: “I’ve played rugby since the age
of three, but it wasn’t until I went to Grange Academy and became
involved in the School of Rugby programme that I was able to work on my fitness
and skills every day.
“Not only has it helped me achieve my ambition of
playing for Scotland at age-grade level, but I feel my studies have also
improved as the daily exercise helps me concentrate on other lessons.
It’s great news to hear that Scottish Rugby will be able to continue this
programme so more people like me will benefit from it.”