Leading figures from across Scottish sport have met to discuss the continued impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the role the sport sector will play in the nation’s long-term recovery from the pandemic.

Members of the Scottish Governing Bodies Chief Executive Officers Forum were joined by Minister for Public Health and Sport, Mairi Gougeon, and Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, at the virtual meeting.

The SGB CEO Forum represents 35 sports including athletics, badminton, cycling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, netball, swimming, triathlon and volleyball. It was established to develop a greater collective approach across sports and to help shape a collaborative response to the pandemic.

Some of the challenges faced by Scottish sport, such as financial viability, access to facilities and SGB membership levels, were discussed at the meeting. The Forum expressed a firm commitment to using the power of sport and physical activity to assist in the recovery from COVID-19 and to help support the economy, health and wellbeing, education and social fabric of the nation.

Public Health and Sport Minister Mairi 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.

“Recognising the significant effect that the pandemic has had on the sport sector, the Scottish Government has provided a £55 million emergency funding package, allowing clubs to bridge the gap in revenue until spectators are able to return safely to sports events in larger numbers.

“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.”

Chair of the SGB CEO Forum, Vinny Bryson, 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 #PowerOfSport 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.”

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “It has been a year like no other for Scottish sport but the sector has shown remarkable resilience in how it has responded. This is the most difficult situation we have experienced but the sporting system, particularly SGBS, has done an exceptional job.

“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.”

Today’s meeting comes just three months after the Scottish Government announced a £55million emergency funding package for spectator sports, to help them deal with the financial burden of lost ticket income.

Across the financial year, a total of £32.4million has been accelerated to local and national partners by sportscotland, helping protect up to 1,600 jobs across the sector, while delivery targets were also relaxed. The national agency has also created a £1.5million Scottish Governing Body (SGB) COVID-19 Recovery Support Fund, which is being delivered with National Lottery funding.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members of staff, with Colin Millar joining as Head of Marketing and Communications and Danny Cockroft as Programme Administrator.

Colin joins CGS with a wealth of experience, most recently as Senior Operations Manager at Hibernian Football Club, having previously worked as Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, shaping Hibs’ internal and external marketing strategies. He credits experiences with the sportscotland Young People’s Sports Panel and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, where he participated in the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme 33Fifty, as catalysts in his career in sport.

Colin said “I am delighted to be joining CGS and look forward to working with our sport governing bodies, athletes and partners in the lead-up to Birmingham 2022 and beyond. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of Team Scotland and use our athletes’ stories to engage and inspire the Scottish public. I know the passion, dedication and professionalism that exists in the sector and am keen to leverage that to help raise the profile of sport.”

Danny brings experience from a wide range of roles, including working with sports development projects in the UK, Fiji and Zambia. He joins CGS from roles as a Community Sports Officer with Greenwich Leisure and as Project Officer in Sport at Leeds Beckett University where he supported veterans and serving military undergoing rehabilitation, while his previous roles have included the development of Wheelchair Basketball as a coach and Get Active Ambassador for Basketball Scotland.

Danny said: “I’m really excited to get started with CGS in the build up to Birmingham 2022. It’s brilliant to be able to support Team Scotland as they aim to continue their success in the Games, and after a year of limited sport, it will be great to see Scotland and the younger generation inspired by their nation competing at the highest level. I consider myself very lucky to get the opportunity to be involved with the future of Scottish sport.”

In welcoming both to CGS, Chief Executive Jon Doig OBE said: “I look forward to having both Colin and Danny bring their expertise and passion for sport to help shape our operations, work with athletes and partners in delivering a successful Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022 and use the power of the Games to inspire young Scots in particular.”

Thirteen talented young athletes have started the new year with a boost, with the news that they will be supported by PHM Athlete Awards for 2021.

Impressed by the dedication shown by the athletes through a challenging year, PHM Athlete Award benefactor Paul Morron MBE has extended support to all 13 current recipients for a further 12 months. Delivering the news personally during an online get-together for athletes and Board members from the Team Scotland Youth Trust, which administers the Awards, he spoke of the importance of continuing to support and show belief in young athletes, more so since they have not have many opportunities to compete in the past year.

“I began the Athlete Awards because I wanted to pursue something to help young people to fulfil their potential and I decided on sport,” he said. “It’s not just about the financial grants but it’s about the message of belief and confidence that I actually have in the athletes.

“Given the problems with Covid it’s been a heart wrenching year, it’s been a really, really rough time. So, I thought it might be a good time to give them some good news. I have huge respect for the athletes and the work they’ve done and the way they’ve come through this year. I’m full of admiration for them and I really wish them well in their future careers.”

Amongst those set to benefit are three members of Scotland’s Gold Coast 2018 team: Erin Wallace, who won 1500m gold at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and then competed in Triathlon on the Gold Coast. Kelvin Cham, who won bronze in Gold Coast in the Men’s Gymnastics Team event and fellow gymnast Ellie Russell, part of the women’s team which placed 5th.

European Para-Athletics Championships silver medallist Ross Patterson and aspiring Paralympic Games archer, Cameron Radigan, also receive awards, as do 2018 Youth Olympic Games Badminton competitor Christopher Grimley and 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Alisha Rees who twice broke the Scottish Senior 60m record in 2020, which had stood for 17 years.

Breaking through to senior international level is tough and the costs of training and competition mean athletes can struggle to reach their full potential. Now with the added challenges of closed training facilities and uncertainty around competition schedules, supporting our future stars is more important than ever. Established in 2012, the fund provides awards of up to £1,000 to athletes under the age of 26, to assist with their preparation for significant major events including the Commonwealth Games.

The Team Scotland Youth Trust are delighted to announce support for these young athletes, who will hope to follow in the footsteps of past recipients, many of whom have gone on to win medals on the international stage, including boxer Charlie Flynn, swimmer Craig Benson, badminton player Kirsty Gilmour and track athlete Zoey Clark. In the 9 years since the Awards began, 45 athletes have been supported with over £108,000 of financial aid.

PHM Athlete Awards 2021

Scott Gibson – Swimming

Cameron Radigan – Para-Archery

Alisha Rees – Athletics

Ross Paterson – Para-Athletics

Erin Wallace – Athletics

Christopher Grimley – Badminton

Sam Hickey – Boxing

Sarah Jane Hampson – Fencing

Kelvin Cham – Gymnastics

Ellie Russell – Gymnastics

David Ferguson – Judo

Jack Burns – Rowing

Georgia Adderley – Squash

How to support

If you would like to help us make a difference for more young Scottish athletes, then please contact us to discuss becoming a partner or supporter with a one-off donation or regular giving.  Call 01786 466480 or email tsyouthtrust@teamscotland.scot

Head of Marketing and Communications
Location: Stirling
Salary: £35,000-£42,000 Dependent upon Experience

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for the right person to join us in our preparation for Birmingham 2022 and beyond through the 2026 Games cycle. You will play a major role assisting us to deliver a successful Team Scotland, inspiring Scots, particularly young people, to be active and engage in sport in their communities.

The Head of Marketing and Communications is a new senior post that has been created to strengthen the value of the Team Scotland Brand. You will work with colleagues and partners to develop our Marketing strategy. This will be delivered through creative communications and associated campaigns and events along with programmes working with athletes and partners to help inspire our nation through sport. You will also help assist with marketing and fundraising on behalf of the Team Scotland Youth Trust.

Central to our success will be the delivery of a range of campaigns and activities which help support and our showcase our team members and partnerships.

The closing date for this position is Noon on 8th January 2021 with interviews to be held on Thursday 21st January 2021.

A job description and application form can be found on our current vacancies page. Completed applications should be returned to jobs@gravitatehr.co.uk who can also answer any informal enquiries.

We are an equal opportunities organisation and welcome applications from all suitably qualified
persons regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status,
pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation
or age. Further details of the CGS Equality policy can be found on www.teamscotland.scot/about-us/

Programme Administrator
Location: Stirling
Salary: £16,000-£20,000 Dependent on Experience

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for the right person to join us in our preparation for Birmingham 2022 and beyond through the 2026 Games cycle. You will play a major role assisting us to deliver a successful Team Scotland, inspiring Scots, particularly young people, to be active and engage in sport in their communities.The successful candidate will provide administration support to assist and support colleagues to deliver our team operations, corporate services and marketing support programmes.

This full-time position will suit either someone with prior administration support experience or a recent graduate looking for their first role.

A job description and application form can be found on our current vacancies page. Completed applications should be returned to jobs@gravitatehr.co.uk who can also answer any informal enquiries.

The closing date for this role is Noon on 8th January 2021 with interviews to be held on 26th January 2021.

We are an equal opportunities organisation and welcome applications from all suitably qualified
persons regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status,
pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation
or age. Further details of the CGS Equality policy can be found on www.teamscotland.scot/about-us/

In recognition of over 50 years outstanding service to sport, the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), Joan Watt has been awarded life membership of CGS.

Paul Bush OBE,CGS Chair, in confirming the award commented that it was well deserved recognition for a lifetime of service as an advisor, deliverer and mentor to the wider sporting community.

CGS Honorary Medical Advisor and chartered physiotherapist, Joan first provided volunteer support at the Commonwealth Games as a Village Physiotherapist in 1970, subsequently serving Scottish Commonwealth Games teams in physiotherapy roles at each Games until 2002, including as Joint Head Physiotherapist in 1998.  Melbourne 2006 saw her step into a new role as Shooting Team Manager, a position she also took on for Delhi 2010. 

The award came as a welcome surprise and Joan said she was highly honoured and still taking the news in. “I still can’t really believe it’s true, I think it’s wonderful.”

“If someone asked me which was my favourite Games I’d have to say I loved every single one because it was great, people were so pleasant and I made friends all over the place. It’s given me the feeling that I can enjoy working and helping people do what they want to do, which as a physiotherapist is what you want.

“It’s wonderful to keep the connection to Commonwealth Games Scotland because it’s meant so much to me over the years, it’s been so good and an important part of my life.”

Appointed to the Commonwealth Games Scotland Board in 2003 as Honorary Medical Adviser, she was the first non-Doctor to take this post, stepping down this year with term limits in place.  Also serving as Vice Chair of the Medical Group for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid, Joan was a member of the Medical Advisory Group for Glasgow 2014.

Beyond the Commonwealth Games, Joan has also served as lead physiotherapist at Olympic Games, World and European Championships for Athletics and Shooting, as well as a number of other sports. She is a former Chairperson of Scottish Athletics and was its first female President.  Instrumental in establishing the British Sports Massage Association, Joan helped set up the Chartered Physiotherapists in Massage Therapy professional network and has been active in Anti-Doping education and testing for many years.

In recent months a wide range of partners across the sporting system, including the Scottish Government, sportscotland, Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGBs), local authorities and leisure trusts, the third sector, as well as the further and higher education sector have been working together to progress plans for the safe return of sport, in line with the latest public health guidance.

Today’s announcement by the First Minister that indoor sport facilities and gyms can reopen from 31 August onwards, is the latest step forward in relation to the phased return of sport at all levels, as we continue to follow the Scottish Government’s route-map through and out of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The reopening of facilities, which will play a key role in Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic, will be widely welcomed by clubs, individuals and the wider public. However, it is important to recognise that several challenges including the current economic landscape still need to be overcome before the delivery of sport in local communities and at a club level will be considered in any way back towards anything like normal.

While the desire from all partners to reopen facilities is clear, the difficulties presented by COVID-19 means that it is unlikely that all venues will be able to do so on day one, or for some time to come. Reduced capacities due to the required physical distancing will have a direct impact on the operational capabilities of venue operators and the economic viability of some facilities.

We understand this will be frustrating for many people but while we all continue to work towards our shared goals and objectives, the continued support, patience and understanding of everyone involved, is more important than before.

As a sector we are committed to working together to address the challenges that still lie ahead. We want to see more progress made in line with the latest public health guidance at all levels of sport, to ensure that clubs and local communities have access to facilities, and that will remain our number one priority.

Following a formal communication sent to the First Minister on the morning of 30^th July 2020 from 32 individual Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGB), the SGB CEO Forum welcomes the recognition by the First Minister of the requirement to move forward the re-opening of sports facilities.

As a sector, we are disappointed that the indicative timescale for a return to sport is not sooner.  We have submitted evidence in mitigation of any risk to public health and ask for clarification as to what more compelling information is required to ensure our sports can return to activity and competition within the indicative dates given.

However, we will work with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to understand the level of evidence we need to provide so all requirements for indoor sport to safely return in late August can be met. As ever, we will react positively to any encouragement from Scottish Government to review the dates.

We are especially concerned for those SGBs which only have the small 2020 summer window to restart their sport and competitions.  Without access to facilities – both indoor and outdoor, wet and dry – our member Clubs cannot function and cannot contribute effectively to the recovery that the whole of Scotland so desperately wants and needs.

As we are all aware the reality is that ‘sport-in-Scotland’ is more than just ‘sport’. This has been clearly demonstrated through the national focus on maintaining daily physical activity throughout lockdown and effectively contributes to the social fabric of our local communities as a whole through (although not exclusively):

• The health and wellbeing of the Scottish Nation;
• Equality and inclusion;
• Contributing to effective learners;
• Mental health and wellbeing;
• Tackling obesity;
• Social inclusion and;
• Women and Girls in Sport.

With confirmation that other public spaces and venues in Scotland are now reopening and in recognition of the immense challenges facing the restart of the Scottish sporting sector, the SGB CEO Forum wish to work quickly with Scottish Government, sportscotland and facility operators to establish a clear strategy to resume sport, for our members, clubs and communities.

Commonwealth Games Scotland fully supports the collective drive of Scottish Governing Bodies to reopen as many sport facilities in Scotland as quickly and safely as possible.

Following events in the United States, the Commonwealth Games Federation has released an open letter to sport to reinforce their commitment to their values, and stand in solidarity with all citizens, athletes and CGAs working actively to reduce inequality and build peaceful communities.

An Open Letter to Sport #BlackLivesMatter

Citizens across the world have mobilised to stand up for equal rights, for freedom, fairness, equality and justice.

This must be our wake-up call too. Surely it is time for the world of sport to grant itself a social and moral licence. A licence to use all its platforms to encourage athletes, coaches, officials, sponsors, administrators and fans to inspire, to educate, to stand for what they believe in. A licence to provide the scope and freedom for all our participants to be agents of change, advocates of integrity and ambassadors for respect, impartiality and non-discrimination.

Everyone working in sport is in the business of creating, protecting and promoting some of people’s proudest moments. People have often argued that sport is like life and that life manifests itself through sport. When glorious – sport inspires, excites, captivates, entertains and creates hope and pride; and when compromised – it angers, disappoints, disillusions, creates doubt and shame.

Let us not be on the wrong side of history. Let us ensure we are on the side of humanity and equality, the side of people and passion, not profit or politics. Let us continue to forge a future for Commonwealth Sport built on empathy, inclusion, trust and unity.

Right now, we are faced with managing the impact of a global pandemic and the pain, anger and sadness resulting from the tragic and brutal killing of George Floyd. Both raise the familiar spectres of inequality, racism and injustice into our hearts and homes and our wider communities.The world of sport cannot be an observer.

A Games, a match, a season does not happen in a vacuum.Silence or the status quo cannot be an option.It is our passionate belief that athlete advocacy and activism humanises, rather than politicises, sport.We must use our voices and continually seek to reduce inequalities and build peaceful communities.

Dame Louise Martin DBE, President

David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive