Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games

Scottish Secretary tours bus with sports stars

Monday 19 October 2009

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy MP has added his support to the Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games during a visit to East Kilbride to meet three of the town's future athletics stars.

On a visit to St Andrews and St Brides High School Jim Murphy was given a guided tour of the Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games information bus where he met three of the school's top athletes.

Mr Murphy met Emma Brown, 15, the only athlete ever to have competed at three Children's Games; Ciaran Johnston, 15, a member of the Lanarkshire football team which claimed silver at the Athens Children's Games this year and Zach Bryson, 16, who won silver in the Scottish schools 100 metres and bronze in the 200 metres.

Councillors Michael McCann and Jim Smith - depute leaders of South and North Lanarkshire respectively - and East Kilbride MP Adam Ingram accompanied Mr Murphy as he was shown around the brand new information bus by the young athletes.

The information bus, with its eye-catching Lanarkshire 2011 livery, will be touring Scotland over the next two years to raise awareness of the Games.

The bus is equipped with a large screen which will show the Lanarkshire 2011 DVD, Internet connections and a number of challenges to engage young people with all aspects of the Games.

Mr Murphy said: "For Lanarkshire to be the unanimous choice to host the 2011 games marks what is a remarkable time for sport - firstly the games here, then the Olympic Games in London, and after that there's Glasgow's Commonwealth Games.

"Sport is a great way to spend time and a great way to come together. I think it's a great time to celebrate sport. And the Children's Games raises the curtain on this historic period."

The International Children's Games - the equivalent of the Olympics for under 16s - will see Lanarkshire kick off this unprecedented decade of sport in Britain with high hopes that many of the Lanarkshire 2011 team will make the step up to a Scottish Commonwealth team.

Councillor Michael McCann, vice chair of the Lanarkshire 2011 organising Committee, said: "This is the very first time the International Children's Games have been awarded to an area and not a city, so we really are breaking the mould.

"And judging by the standard of our young athletes, we will be claiming a great number of medals in 2011. We've been working hard to ensure the infrastructure we have in place will deliver an event that will live long in the memory for all involved and leave a lasting legacy across Lanarkshire.

"However, it's not just about winning medals; the games are also about making friendships that last a lifetime."

Up to 1500 competitors aged 12 to 15, along with coaches, administrators and delegates from more than 70 countries will head to Lanarkshire for the International Olympic Committee-recognised event in August 2011.

North and South Lanarkshire Councils believe the 2011 Games represent a unique opportunity to encourage young people to take part in sport at 'grassroots' levels, with all of the associated benefits this involves - improving health, boosting confidence and self-belief and motivating young people to achieve their ambitions.