We’ll build on legacy

Aug 17 2012 by Eric McGowan, Irvine Herald

COUNCIL chiefs have vowed to build a sporting legacy in North Ayrshire in the wake of the Olympic Games.

Bosses say they are well prepared to deal with an expected rise in youngsters – inspired by the London Games – looking to take up sport. And with the Commonwealth Games bound for Glasgow in two years time, they’re desperate to ensure North Ayrshire is at the forefront of a national sporting revolution.

Earlier this year, the council announced a £72,000 Nurturing Excellence fund which will provide support for budding athletes.

Secondary schools including Irvine Royal Academy and Auchenharvie Academy have enrolled in the Schools for Sport programme which will support and nurture young talent in football, rugby and basketball.

Local clubs and facilities have also benefited from major investment. This included £3.9million for an ice rink in Stevenston and £500,000 for Kilwinning Community Sport Club. This summer, North Ayrshire will host Camp2012, Scotland’s biggest basketball camp, which attracts the best young basketballers from Scotland and beyond.

The provision of sport and leisure facilities across North Ayrshire has also been improved with the creation of KA Campus leisure suites. The sportscotland’s National Sport Training Centre in Largs and the watersport facilities at the National Centre Cumbrae, provide some of the world’s best sailing waters, and a range of golf courses.

Councillor Alan Hill, spokesman for Community and Culture said: “We are in a unique position to ensure there is a real legacy – both for our most talented young people to excel and for local communities to participate in more sports and leisure.

“With the creation of Schools of Sports and a fund to Nurture Sporting Excellence, we can make sure that the sporting enthusiasm can be channelled, make our communities more active and let our young people shine.”