Netball Scotland to benefit from hefty investment

NETBALL Scotland was celebrating today as Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell announced a sportscotland investment of £227,700, the largest sum ever awarded to netball, to develop the sport in the build up to the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The annual investment in Netball Scotland, of which £100,000 is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will strengthen the infrastructure of the sport, with a clear focus on performance. Netball is a sport with high-participation rates among women and girls.

The aim is now to develop a strong performance pathway to provide players with the opportunity to realise their potential and to create a strong national team, particularly for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014, where it is a core sport.

Mr Maxwell said: "The benefits of physical activity to health and wellbeing are enormous and the Scottish Government is committed to increasing participation, particularly among women. This record investment in Netball Scotland will be used to boost the infrastructure of the sport."

In another exciting development for the sport, Scotland has secured a place in the prestigious Netball Superleague. A Glasgow-based franchise will play in the competition next season.