Moray sports groups to receive £2,200 funding boost from Sportscotland

COMMUNITY sports activities in Moray will receive a funding boost, thanks to grant funding from Sportscotland.

The grants totalling £2,200 were awarded by Moray Council, to locally based community groups who are using sport and physical activity to bring about positive individual and community change.

The eight successful applicants and initiatives were Walking Netball, Walking Football, Get on a Bike, Elgin Sports Community Trust, Buckie Ladies Football Development, Burghead Coastal Rowing Club, Hopeman Golf Club and Karate Academy Scotland.

All the projects meet the grant award criteria of supporting mental health and wellbeing; addressing trauma and supporting resilience; reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; increasing self-confidence; supporting people with physical disabilities; and supporting families experiencing poverty.

Diane Maciver, Chair of the Get on a Bike initiative, which works to support mental health through cycling said: “Elgin's newest mental and physical health cycling group, Get On A Bike, is delighted to have received this grant. The group has been formed to cater specifically for those recovering from illness or those trying to improve health quality without resorting to medication. With a fleet of hybrid bikes and based in the town's Cooper Park, trained ride leaders are available to help build new skills and confidence.

“We know cycling is great for mental and physical health but the magic happens when we stop for coffee – conversations develop and friendships are formed then. When we set the group up funding the coffee stops was a key consideration. This payment will help us offer a coffee to our participants and give each short ride a purpose.”

Speaking of the impact the grants will have, Moray Council’s Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “The active schools and community sport team has chosen projects that we can all learn from, where they’re using physical activity to positively impact social change.

“I’m a great believer in initiatives that, through partnership working, can achieve a benefit for the individual as well as the community and these projects aim to deliver just that. I wish them all well and look forward to seeing updates from their schemes.”

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