By David Gold
February 22 – Up to £25 million ($39 million/€30 million) will be invested into the first ever national performance centre for sport in Scotland, it has been announced.
Shona Robison, the Commonwealth Games 2014 and Sports Minister, made the announcement and revealed a steering group to be chaired by Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Stewart Regan would be set up.
The £25 million (€29.6 million/$39 million) funding would come from the Young Scots Fund, while the new facility will feature a multi-sports performance centre and a national football academy, which they have pledged to create by 2016.
The steering group’s first meeting will be held in March, and it will be charged with setting out criteria for local authority bids to host the centre.
“Football is Scotland’s national game and, building on our record investment in the sport, we want to build the foundations of future success for our national sides,” said Robison.
“Despite the challenges which Scottish football is facing, the Government’s commitment to developing and improving our national game remains undiminished.
“Delivery of a new National Performance Centre is a key commitment and today’s announcement is the first step towards delivery of that commitment.
“I am delighted that Stewart Regan of the Scottish FA has agreed to chair a steering group which will look at the creation of what will be known as the National Performance Centre, a multi-sports centre with football very much at its heart.
“Stewart has been tasked with gathering a group to scope the project, setting out the criteria by which bids from local authorities and their partners will be assessed and agree a timetable for completion.”
Regan (pictured with Robison) added: “I am delighted to be chairing the National Performance Centre steering group.
“The commitment to the National Performance Centre is a hugely significant step forward – not just for Scottish football but Scottish sport and culture.
“It reinforces our relationship with the Scottish Government and this joint commitment is integral to the Scottish FA’s Performance Strategy.”
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