Enterprise and Culture Committee calls for more investment in facilities

CENT007/2005 | 1 December 2005

Greater investment of public funds for sporting facilities has been called for today in a report published by the Scottish Parliament’s Enterprise and Culture Committee.

The findings come at the conclusion of the committee’s 18-month Inquiry into the future of Scottish football.

The report also calls for reform of the way in which football is governed and for the Executive to finalise its audit of Scotland’s sporting facilities.

The Committee welcomes the efforts by senior figures within the Scottish Football Association (SFA) to try to introduce reforms and to promote the development of football in Scotland from youth to senior levels.

But the Committee also voices disappointment at the SFA’s decision in June 2005 to reject a move to allow junior clubs to participate in the Scottish Cup. The Committee recommends that the SFA reconsiders.

Committee Convener Alex Neil MSP said:

“This Inquiry was designed to look at the future of Scottish football and it is clear that those involved in the running of the game are trying to look ahead and make efforts to safeguard the sport.

“Our Committee feels that a successful future for Scottish football requires a joined-up approach from all concerned; both within the game and in the public sector. We want to see the SFA adopt an appropriate structure and set of principles to promote the development of football in Scotland from youth to senior levels.

“We also want the public sector to do its part by bringing forward the investments in suitable facilities that will allow the game to flourish. We want to see the Scottish Executive and sportscotland step up their efforts and increase the budgets available for these amenities.”

In addition to public sector investment in facilities, the Committee has examined other government policies and welcomes the Scottish Executive’s commitment to initiatives such as the development of a Youth Development Plan, which was announced in March 2004.

But the Committee is disappointed that, of the £12.2 million committed to the project by the Scottish Executive, only £1.2 million is ‘exchequer funding’, with the remaining money coming from lottery funding. The Committee is not convinced that this level of financial support is sufficient.

More than 50 written submissions of evidence have been received since the Inquiry started in March 2004. Senior-level football clubs, football’s governing bodies (SFA, SPL and SFL), banks, supporters’ groups and individual fans have all participated.

The report is now being sent to the Scottish Executive and the SFA for their response.

Background Note

In Scotland, an estimated 150,000 people – including an estimated 40,000 young people – regularly participate in organised football at various levels.

In March 2004, the Committee appointed two Reporters, Richard Baker MSP and Brian Adam MSP (no longer a member of the Committee), to investigate specific issues in relation to Scottish football. Following Mr Baker’s report to the Committee, a public consultation was launched on his findings in April 2005. This provided the public with an opportunity to input into the Committee's inquiry before the publication of the final report.

The final report produced by the Committee focuses on the following areas:

• the vision and principles that the Committee believes should underpin the governance of football;

• the financing of the game;

• the provision of suitable infrastructure and facilities;

• the development of ‘football’s future’ - young people, women’s football, participation levels, elite player development, supporters etc; and

• the role of the public sector and football’s wider contribution to public policy

The Committee Report

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne, Tel: 0131 348 6265
E-mail: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk
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Enterprise and Culture Committee contact information

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email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

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