Funding award to encourage more women into sport

More women and girls are being encouraged to take part in sports activities thanks to a new £300,000 fund.

Awards ranging between £10,000 and £30,000 will be given to projects which support women and girls to get active.

The Scottish Government and sportscotland are calling for applications as part of the programme to encourage more women and girls to participate in physical activities.

The funding builds on the success of the Sporting Equality Fund launched last year, with investment going to projects including wheelchair basketball in Glasgow, netball across Scotland and ‘bike-packing’ adventures in the Highlands.

Sport Minister Joe FitzPatrick announced the fund at a women’s tennis session at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre in Edinburgh.

He said: “One of the best things we can do for our health is be physically active.

“Taking part in sport or physical activity brings so many benefits to physical and mental health, self-confidence and self-esteem, learning skills, socialising and most importantly, having fun.

“The numbers of women and girls in Scotland participating in sports and physical activity has increased significantly in recent years, including traditional sports such as netball, hockey and shinty and activities such as recreational walking and biking adventures.

“But we want to do more and address the barriers that stop women and girls taking part, and this fund helps support that aim.”

Mel Young, chair of sportscotland, added: “Sport makes a positive impact on people and communities and sportscotland wants to help ensure sport is accessible to all.

“Our Fit for Girls programme continues to go from strength to strength and has an important role to play in shaping physical activity engagement for girls in schools.

“As we celebrate Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, it is important that we build on our work to increase the understanding around the barriers faced by women and girls in sport.

“At sportscotland we will continue to work with our partners to help address those issues and extend existing opportunities.”