Sports funding

SHETLAND has secured £10,000 of government funding to host a local sports week between 29 September and 7 October.

The event aims to encourage people to participate in sport and dance and, building on last year’s success, will also be introducing disability sport activities.

The Games for Scotland Programme has been drawn up to encourage sport development across the country in the countdown to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, in 2014.

The council’s active schools manager James Johnston said: “Already we have had agreement from regional and national sports development staff and athletes in basketball, football, athletics, golf, gymnastics, rugby and swimming who wish to visit Shetland during the week and deliver activities, coaching workshops and inspire everyone to become more physically active and involved in sport.”

Meanwhile, the Shetland Canoe Club has received £6,627 from SportScotland to hold a kayaking symposium and buy equipment, and Burra and Trondra Community Council will get almost £10,000 for new swings at the Hamnavoe community park.