Dundee LibDems back call for better access to sport for young people (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems back call for better access to sport for young people

March 30, 2008 6:26 AM

Dundee LibDems back call for better access to sport for young people

Dundee LibDems have today (Sunday 30th March) said the SNP Government must listen seriously to - and act upon - comments made by Dundee's Liz McColgan who has hit out at the conditions young athletes have to train in.

The former World and Commonwealth running champion was appearing before MSPs at the Scottish Parliament as part of an inquiry to get more young people involved sport.

She said more club coaches should be going into schools to help youngsters into athletics, and also hit out at the prohibitive costs which make it difficult for youngsters from low-income families.

Welcoming Liz McColgan's contribution to the debate on improving access for young people into sport, Liberal Democrat Sports spokesperson, Jim Tolson MSP, said, "I hope that the Minister for Sport listened carefully to Liz McColgan's comments and is now prepared to take action.

"Liberal Democrats are proposing a raft of measures to get more young people into sport.

"We want the SNP to be much more ambitious and adopt our target of every child getting the equivalent of one hour of physical exercise a day."

Here in Dundee, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Strathmartine Ward, Cllr Helen Dick, said, "It is important that government improves access for young people to get involved in sport and physical exercise and it should be providing better financial support to local authorities and others to assist this."