Local MSP Brian Whittle has been urging First Minister Humza Yousaf to find more funding for community sports facilities in the wake of success by Scottish athletes at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
The South Scotland MSP and former Olympic runner highlighted the gold and silver medals won by Josh Kerr and Jemma Reekie at the Championships, as well as the past successes by the likes of Jake Wightman and Laura Muir, as one of the most important reasons to protect community sports facilities from closure.
Following the Scottish Government’s budget, local sports facilities are being forced to reduce operating hours, increase charges or even close their doors altogether as councils fight to balance their books. Brian used his question at Holyrood to argue that these decisions are a “false economy”, pointing out that sport and physical activity are known to improve physical and mental health, which can reduce the numbers of people seeking help from the NHS and elsewhere for preventable illnesses.
Brian, who has heard from communities across Scotland with leisure centres and swimming pools at risk of closure, including in Auchinleck, wants to see the Scottish Government protecting these kinds of facilities and recognising their importance to communities and public health.
Speaking after his exchange with the First Minister, Brian Whittle MSP said:
“The path to the success for athletes like Josh Kerr, Jemma Reekie and Laura Muir all begin with being able to try athletics at a young age at their local track. The same is true for every footballer, swimmer, tennis player and swimmer who’s ever won a world championship or Olympic medal.
Cutting local sports facilities might help councils balance their books today but the long-term cost to health, wellbeing and competitive sport is far greater than any saving.
Local sports facilities are an important part of communities across Scotland, from Auchinleck to Aberdeen. We should be doing more to make sure they are protected to give the next generation of young athletes the same access to opportunities that were available to others before them.”
