£1.9 million investment in Borders sport

The deal sees over £1.6 million invested in the Active Schools programme, with further funding to support PE and school sport, and additional investment to support grassroots initiatives.

The funding has been provided by SBC and sportscotland, with Borders Sport and Leisure set to deliver the projects across the region.

In addition to enhancing the work of the Active Schools programme, the partnership will see the roll-out of the School Sports Awards programme as a means to develop school sport. Club sport will also be promoted through funding for the region’s Community Sports Hubs.

Two years of funding has been committed to support local coaching initiatives through the provision of ongoing training and education opportunities for coaches and volunteers across the region and a review of the local coaching infrastructure will be carried out. The partners will look to further enhance provision for the development of athlete potential and have agreed to create a new Facilities Strategy for the region.

The agreement guarantees a commitment by sportscotland, SBC and Borders Sport and Leisure to deliver a world-class sporting system that connects schools and education, clubs and communities and performance sport and encourages Borderers of all ages to be more active more often.

SBC councillor Vicky Davidson, said: “I welcome the partnership agreement with sportscotland that sees over £1.6 million invested in the Active Schools programme, over £40,000 in supporting PE and £24,000 in developing school sport. This really is a four-year programme of investment for taking school and club sport forward in the Borders.”

Perrotine Orr, Borders Sport and Leisure, added: “Borders Sport & Leisure is delighted to be working in partnership with SBC and sportscotland to deliver a range of projects across the Borders. This four-year agreement secures funding for the continuation of Active Schools as well as club and workforce initiatives.”