Sports Minister Shona Robison will perform opening ceremony at Heriot-Watt University to launch the community sport hub.
She will be joined by Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, to perform the official unveiling of the plaque to mark the occasion.
Also in attendance will be Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, and Councillor Cathy Fullerton.
Nine sports clubs are currently part of the Hub – Balerno Bowling Club, Currie Football Club, Currie Rugby Football Club, Currie Star Football Club, Dunedin Netball Club, Edinburgh Spirals Trampolining, Edinburgh Weightlifting Club, Edinburgh Wrestling Club, and Kingsknowe Golf Club.
The Community Sport Hub initiative is a key component of sportscotland’s contribution to the Scottish Government’s 2014 legacy plan, and provides an exciting and innovative approach to the development of sport in local clubs. A total of 117 Hubs are already operational throughout the country.
Based in local places such as club pavilions, sports centres, community centres, the natural environment, and with at least 50 per cent in schools, the hubs bring local people together and provide a home for the local clubs and sports organisations. They also provide information, support, and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities.
South-West Edinburgh Community Sport Hub, which covers Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Wester Hailes, Sighthill, and Ratho, is the first hub to be based at a Tertiary Education institution.
As part of the launch event on Friday a school sport festival is being held, with almost 150 primary five pupils from local schools taking part.
To help organise and run the Hub a Youth Sport Panel has been set up, which is made up of young people from local high schools and further and higher education institutions.
The panel has already made a significant contribution to the formation of the Hub and the success of the Launch Week, while also selecting the winning design for the Hub’s logo. A competition was held in local schools and the winner, who will take home prizes for both them and their school, will be announced at Friday’s launch event.
Shona Robison, Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games, said:-“It’s heartening to see such a diverse range of sporting groups working together for the benefit of their local community.
“With only six months until the Commonwealth Games, we have already delivered 117 Community Sport Hubs across the country.
“Today’s launch sees the sixth hub in Edinburgh and I am particularly pleased with the involvement of young people in the future of the Hub.
“Initiatives like this sporting hub are key to encouraging more Scots to get more active, which will help deliver a lasting legacy of the Games of which we can all be proud.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: -“sportscotland is investing £1.5 million of Lottery funding each year into developing at least 150 hubs across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities by 2016.
“The initiative is already providing more opportunities for communities to engage in an active, healthy lifestyle, and for people in Scotland to enjoy sport in excellent facilities.
“It is terrific to see South-West Edinburgh Community Sport Hub up-and-running, and all those involved will undoubtedly see the benefits of being involved in this hub.
“Each hub works on the same basic principles but each has the flexibility to identify the needs of their community. This focus on local needs ensures that all partners get behind the approach and the work they do has the biggest impact.”
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said: “The Community Sport Hub is another area in which Heriot-Watt University is supporting the development of Scottish sport.
“The Hub will be of great benefit to the local community, including our staff and students. The university is committed to supporting the development of sport at all levels through projects such as the Hub and the National Performance Centre for Sport.
“Although separate projects, the two dovetail neatly with the Hub helping to develop opportunities for participation, sustainability and growth for clubs, and the development of people; all of which combines to provide a solid platform and basis for performance sport.”
Five other Community Sport Hubs have been developed in Edinburgh. These are Broughton High School Community Sport Hub, Colinton Community Sport Hub, Forrester High School & St Augustines RC High School Community Sport Hub, Inch Park Community Sports Club, and Royal High School Community Sport Hub.
For more information about South-West Edinburgh Community Sport Hub, you can visit www.csh.hw.ac.uk. (although when we checked the website was not yet live)
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