From: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

15 January 2008

BRACEWELL AND DONNELLY TO STAND DOWN

Julia Bracewell is to stand down as chair of sportscotland, it was announced today.

Chair of the Scottish Institute of Sport (SIS), Dougie Donnelly, will also vacate his position.

These moves follow the recent Scottish Government announcement that sportscotland will merge with SIS, to create a single, streamlined national organisation for sport.

The new organisation's remit will be significantly widened to include the functions of the former SIS, and the new chair will have responsibility for coordinating the development of Scottish sport from grassroots participation to elite performance.

Julia Bracewell and Dougie Donnelly will formally give up their posts on 15 February.

An interim chair of sportscotland will be appointed from the current board. The search to find a permanent replacement will begin as soon as possible.

The Sport Minister paid tribute to the contribution made by Julia and Dougie.

Stewart Maxwell said:

"I would like to thank Julia and Dougie for all their work.

"They made a positive contribution to the development of sport at all levels in this country, and I valued their input towards Glasgow's successful bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"This is a time of considerable change, not only for sportscotland, but also for Scottish sport as a whole.

"The new organisation will drive forward this Government's policy of simplifying the sporting landscape, ensuring the interests of sport remain paramount, and the whole nation benefits."

This article was posted on 15-Jan-2008, 15:55 by Hugh Barrow.