Athletics: Scots athletes land pounds 100,000 sponsor boost.Byline: By David McCarthy David McCarthy (born 16 July 1983 in Dublin) is an Irish sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres and began racing over 800 metres in 2007. He finished seventh at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston and fifth at the 2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships in SCOTLAND'S athletes have been promised they will never again have to beg, steal or borrow to represent their country at the Commonwealth Games Commonwealth games, series of amateur athletic meets held among citizens of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Originated (1930) as the British Empire games, the series is held every four years and is patterned after the Olympic games; women have participated . First Minister Jack McConnell Jack Wilson McConnell (born June 30, 1960 in Irvine, North Ayrshire) is a former First Minister of Scotland, leader of the Scottish Labour Party and current Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency. made that vow as the Clydesdale Bank The Clydesdale Bank PLC is a commercial bank in the United Kingdom, a subsidiary of the nab Group. In Scotland, the Clydesdale Bank is the third largest clearing bank, although it also retains a branch network in London and the north of England. yesterday threw a six-figure sum - described as well over pounds 100,000 - into the team's efforts to make an impact at the Games in Melbourne next March. Scotland produced their second best medal haul in Manchester three years ago and the Scottish Executive has found pounds 2.5million to push the team to even greater efforts in Australia. The First Minister said: 'I was proud of what our team achieved in Manchester but was dismayed to learn how the team has had to beg, steal and borrow financial support. 'The Commonwealth Games is one of the few occasions when Scottish athletes compete under the Scottish banner and for that reason if no other, it is vital the team is well prepared'We have established a new endowment fund Noun 1. endowment fund - the capital that provides income for an institution endowment patrimony - a church endowment chantry - an endowment for the singing of Masses of pounds 2.5m of Government money and invited the public sector to join us as sponsors. I'm delighted the Clydesdale Bank have decided to support us. 'There are no guarantees of medals and no guarantees of success but we can ensure Scotland's teams are prepared. 'A Scotland team will never go to the Commonwealth Games again wondering where the money is coming from in the months and years beforehand.' Scotland's Commonweath Games Council chairperson, Louise Martin, insisted every Scottish athlete who makes the qualifying time for their event will be on the plane to Melbourne. She said: 'From January this year any athlete who makes the time will be going. Money doesn't come into it. We will find the money to take them. 'Our standards of qualifying have gone up but the way our athletes are training and working I think we will have a team of about 200 going down there all having qualified.' Gold medal-winning gymnast Steve Frew and 400 metres silver medallist from Manchester, Lee McConnell, attended yesterday's announcement with swimmer Scott Houston, who recently scooped five medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini version of the Commonwealth Games aimed at children and young people. The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games was in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2000, and the second was in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, in 2004. . They are all expected to take part next March but they have to hit qualifying standard or they'll be staying at home. Martin insisted any athlete who does not make the standard by November won't be given extra time to make the mark. She said: 'They've been given a year to do it and if they can't deliver by November there will be no extension'If we give them one it means that they are not concentrating on the Games - they are still thinking of the qualifying standard. 'There will be no excuses from us. We will be the best prepared, we will be the best kitted out again and the athletes will be happy and confident. 'We select in November, which gives them five months. 'Competing in our winter will be difficult and you never know what can happen on the day but we won't use that as an excuse. 'It will be difficult for athletes to turn schedules around because they don't usually compete at this level in March but the coaches are looking at this CAPTION(S): TARGET: Lee McConnell |
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