sportscotland is delighted to announce a major investment totalling £639,029 to the Scottish Hockey Union (SHU) today to support all areas of the governing body’s business plan from grass roots development to medal success. The award is a combination of £359,529 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £279,500 of Exchequer funding.
The investment includes £316,529 for athlete support and elite coach development, £283,000 for staffing, club development and player improvement and £39,500 towards the Youth and Development Manager and Grampian Hockey Development Officer posts and volunteer development.
This investment comes as SHU and sportscotland announce the appointment of John Gunn as the new Chief Operating Officer, a post jointly funded by the two organisations.
John joins the SHU following a career at Theatre Workshop in
Commenting on his new appointment, John Gunn, said: “These are exciting times for Scottish Hockey and I am delighted to be able to contribute to our national success. The continued support of sportscotland is greatly appreciated.”
Over the last few years, the SHU has developed a successful pathway through the sport from participation to excellence and actively contributes to all 11 targets of Sport 21 – the national strategy for sport. At grassroots level, emphasis has been placed on providing quality coaching and youth participation programmes to strengthen the numbers of young people enjoying the game and developing talent.
sportscotland’s funding supports two posts responsible for targeting this area. Ben Glencross, Youth and Development Manager oversees the hockey development network, strengthening partnerships with local authorities, schools and clubs and Kevin MacNab, Grampian Hockey Development Officer whose role incorporates elements of the Active Schools programme by increasing participation, offering tailored in-service for teachers and coach education for volunteers and coaches. Both posts are making a significant impact, encouraging wider participation.
At elite level sportscotland’s investment contributes towards the long-term medal success of the Scottish senior and junior teams. As a core sport within the Scottish Institute, hockey already has strong support provision through the Institute network with sportscotland supporting the East and West of Scotland Area Institute coaching positions. Institute staff are taking the lead in the provision of coaching, sport science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning support available for the players.
Both the senior men and women’s squads are currently ranked in the top ten Commonwealth countries (the men 9th and the women 6th) which is high enough to qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. All the players will be hoping to make an impact in competitions this year and be nominated for selection for the Scottish Commonwealth Games team which will be announced by the Commonwealth Games Council for
As part of the performance programme, there will be an increase in the quantity of international competition opportunities for the senior teams (men and women’s) with a view to improving
Brent Deans, Performance Manager, SHU said: “This substantial award and the new integrated method of funding will be of enormous benefit giving us the flexibility we need to support our programme over a four year cycle and maximise the value we can derive from it. It provides us with a fantastic platform as we aim to establish ourselves in the world’s top ten hockey nations and to increase the number of our athletes who are included in the GB pool for 2008.
“This funding comes as we announce our new Chief Operating Officer and I look forward to working closely with John. He has a wealth of experience in business which will add value to our team.”
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: “sportscotland is delighted to announce £639, 029 of funding to the SHU. Our integrated investment process reflects our new approach to working in partnership with sports, looking at their overall business needs to deliver the best support and value for money.
“I am sure John Gunn’s appointment as the new Chief Operating Officer will be an asset to the SHU. His managerial experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable and sportscotland looks forward to working with him in the future.”
For further information, contact
Emma Glen, Press Officer, sportscotland
Tel: 0131 472 3341 or 0131 317 7200
Karen McCall, Marketing Manager, SHU
Tel: 0131 453 9070
Senior Men’s Hockey Squad
Graham Moodie,
Paddy Conlon,
Alan Law,
Michael Leonard, EDINBURGH, EH11
Andy McBride, EDINBURGH, EH11
Alistair McGregor, ELLON, AB41
Craig Harper, FORRES, IV36
Vishal Marwaha, GLASGOW, G62
Kris Kane, GLASGOW, G62
Graham Dunlop, GLASGOW, G41
David Mansouri, GLASGOW, G61
Andrew Sewnauth, GLASGOW, G61
Douglas Simpson, GLASGOW, G33
Gavin Sommerville, GLASGOW,G61
Allan Dick, KIRKCALDY, KY2
Stephen Dick, KIRKCALDY, KY2
David Ralph, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE11
David Mitchell, MOTHERWELL, ML1
Chris Nelson,
Jonathan Christie,
Mark Ralph,
Gareth Hall,
Senior Women's Hockey Squad
Cheryl Valentine,
Debbie McLeod,
Lou Carroll,
Vikki Bunce,
Linda Clement, EDINBURGH, EH12
Ali Rowatt,
Aimee Clark,
Lou Munn,
Carmin Dow, FORFAR, DD8
Abi Walker, GLASGOW, G3
Catriona Forrest, GLASGOW, G43
Julie Kilpatrick, GLASGOW, G46
Kath Gray, GLASGOW, G42
Lorna Dobbie,
Lou Gordon, GLASGOW, G40
Jacqui Fortune, GREENOCK, PA16
Jane Burley,
Gareth Hall,
Sam Judge, RENFREWSHIRE, PA11
Ali Bell,
Viewing Group (Being monitored maybe selected for senior squad at a later date)
Ailsa Robertson,
Kath Rae, EDINBURGH, EH8
Lynsey Allan, EDINBURGH, EH11
Linsey Thompson,
Ailsa Young, GLASGOW, G62
Amy Hislop, GLASGOW, G64
Fiona Sullivan, GLASGOW, G69
Holly Cram, GLASGOW, G61
Karen Jarvie, GLASGOW, G66
Lynsay Macrae, GLASGOW, G43
Kylie McEniery,
Nikki Kidd, PETERHEAD, AB42
Kat Cameron, RENFREWSHIRE, PA6
U21s – Squads still to be selected
