Press Release
20th March 2003
Minister to Kick Off Sports
Forum
Sports Minister, Mike Watson, will
kick off a debate on the future of sport in Inverclyde when he
addresses a specially convened sports forum this Monday (24th
March 2003).
The forum, which brings together a wide range of representatives from local sporting organisations, officials and elected representatives, will discuss how facilities can be improved and used to their full potential.
The Minister will also put himself on the spot, taking questions from the meeting about how the Scottish Executive can work in partnership with local organisations to develop sport in Inverclyde.
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, who arranged the meeting, said he was looking forward to a productive meeting:
"I am glad the Minister has found time in his busy schedule to visit Inverclyde and speak with the dedicated volunteers who freely give their time to run our local sports clubs. Their commitment and enthusiasm is matched only by the demand for the services they provide.
"Take, as a shining example, the Gourock Youth Athletic Club. One of the largest clubs of its kind in Scotland, it is run by 34 local volunteers. And, although over three generations approximately 9000 young people have been involved with the club, there is still an long waiting list to join every year.
"In what I hope will be a productive meeting, I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say about how, from the grass roots to government, we can work together to develop the sort of sports facilities we all want to see. Equally, I am sure that the Minister will be keen to hear the meeting’s views and ideas."
The meeting will take place on the evening of Monday 24th March 2003 at Gourock Youth Athletic Clubhouse, George Road, Gourock PA19 1YT.
Attendees will include representatives of Gourock Youth Athletics Club, Inverclyde Athletics Club, First Touch Football Coaching Academy, Morton Supporters’ Boys Club, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Sports Council and a range of other figures involved in local sport. Also at the meeting will be Duncan McNeil MSP and a number of local Councillors.
The Minister will arrive at 17:30 and
will tour the Gourock YAC with Club President, Ronnie Ahlfeld. He
will then address the meeting on a range of sporting issues, with
particular emphasis on football and the availability and best use
of outdoor facilities. The Minister will then take questions from
the floor.
ENDS
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