More money for Scottish canoeists

Aberdeen-born David Florence won silver in the men's slalom

A funding boost for Scottish canoeing has been announced by the sports minister - just days after Olympic medal success in the event in Beijing.

Stewart Maxwell revealed that £323,619 is to be invested in the Scottish Canoe Association over the next 12 months.

He made the announcement at the Grandtully Slalom event in Perthshire and congratulated the three Scots canoeists who competed in Beijing.

Aberdeen-born David Florence won the silver medal in the men's slalom.

Typically, 40% of the athletes on British slalom teams are Scots and all of the Team GB athletes competing in canoe slalom at the Beijing Olympic Games were Scottish.

This funding will provide vital support for our sporting stars of the future as we look to build on the success enjoyed in Beijing Stewart Maxwell Sports Minister

Part of the investment from sportscotland will be used for coaching.

Mr Maxwell said: "Well done to David Florence, his canoe slalom teammates and all of the Scottish athletes for their outstanding performance in Beijing. The entire nation is proud of them.

"Scottish sport is really making a splash on the world stage at the moment and canoeing in particular is a sport in which we excel.

"This funding will provide vital support for our sporting stars of the future as we look to build on the success enjoyed in Beijing."

'Greater access'

Sportscotland chairwoman, Louise Martin, added: "David Florence, Campbell Walsh and Fiona Pennie have all represented their sport at the highest level and through this investment, SCA can implement their plans to ensure that many more young Scots are given the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.

"Scotland is blessed with the natural resources to enable people to enjoy canoeing and kayaking in all its forms. This funding will allow SCA to develop paddlesport across the board and to provide greater access to this exciting and popular sport."

Stuart Smith, of the Scottish Canoe Association. said: "This investment by sportscotland will assist the Scottish Canoe Association to further develop the sport and to encourage greater participation in recreational as well as competitive paddlesport.

"David Florence's silver medal at Beijing together with Campbell Walsh's silver at Athens demonstrate that Scottish canoeists can and do excel on the world stage. The investment will further develop athlete pathways for the Olympians of the future in both Sprint Racing and Canoe Slalom."