The proceeds of crime are to be used to fund one of the most significant
investments in youth rugby ever seen in Scotland.

The latest strand of the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities
scheme will use over #1.4 million seized from serious organised
criminals to provide free rugby coaching and playing activities for over
32,000 young people throughout the country by 2011.

The Scottish Government has brokered agreement with Scottish Rugby (the
SRU) to deliver a comprehensive three year programme across Scotland to
encourage participation by young people in rugby.

Activities to be funded will include:

- Offering rugby to children in primary and secondary schools,
particularly where there is little opportunity to play rugby at present.
- Linking schools activity to local rugby clubs and creating satellite
rugby centres for disadvantaged and disengaged youngsters.
- Introducing an easy to play and portable version of Street Rugby to
engage with young people in their neighbourhoods and working with
Scottish FA and others to deliver joint events.
- Support for the Scottish Widows Rugby Champions programme to reward
and recognise volunteers to help promote rugby in secondary schools.
- Offering training and leadership opportunities to young people through
the delivery of coaching courses and
- Using professional rugby players as ambassadors for the CashBack for
Communities scheme.

Speaking in advance of launching the new initiative with members of the
Calcutta Cup-winning Scotland rugby team, Justice Secretary Kenny
MacAskill said:

"Criminals don't contribute to our communities - they live off them.
That harms our economy but it also saps self-confidence and ambition -
especially among our young people.

"That's why the Scottish Government is taking the cash these criminals
make off the backs of law abiding folk and putting it back into our
communities.

"This latest strand of our CashBack for Communities scheme will help to
take rugby out of its traditional heartlands and provide opportunities
for young people in our more disadvantaged communities to play the game.
Geography, social standing and sex should be no barrier to participation
in one of our great national sports.

"We want to give our young people positive things to do with their lives
and our CashBack for Communities scheme is giving our young people the
opportunity to be all they can be."

Welcoming today's announcement, Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby Chief
Executive, said:

"Scottish Rugby believes that our sport can play a major role in helping
young Scots to become healthier, safer and stronger and make a positive
contribution to their communities

"Working in partnership with volunteers, teachers, rugby clubs, schools,
local authorities and the Scottish Government, Scottish Rugby is pledged
to increase opportunities for young Scots to play rugby.

"We're delighted the Scottish Government is using the Cashback for
Communities scheme in this way. Rugby in Scotland has to be accessible
to all and this investment will mean that we can open the door to many
more young Scots.

"Our top players will play their part too by supporting the Cashback for
Communities scheme as ambassadors and, who knows, in the future, we
might see players running out in the blue jersey at Murrayfield, who
were first inspired to take up the game by this first-class initiative."

Scotland captain Mike Blair said:

"I am lucky enough to play rugby for a living and to have the massive
honour of playing for my country. Rugby can teach lessons for life and,
above all, is a great way to keep fit and have fun.

"Scottish Rugby and those who've already caught the rugby bug are
working hard to introduce our sport to more youngsters. This money from
the Scottish Government will enable Scottish Rugby to reinforce that
there are no no-go areas for our sport."

Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said:

"Today's announcement is a tremendous boost for youth rugby and builds
on the significant investment the Scottish Government already makes in
the sport.

"We want to see more young people playing and enjoying the game the
length and breadth of the country, especially in communities not
historically associated with rugby.

"This funding will strengthen the infrastructure that will support and
inspire them to realise their sporting ambitions.

"Sport can help boost self confidence and it's not just about creating
sporting stars of the future. Just as important is increasing the number
of people, young and old, participating in sport and physical activity.

"This initiative puts the boot into criminals and their illegal gains
reinvesting the money to build better, healthier communities."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. The total funding to be provided from the proceeds of crime is
#1.415 million over three years broken down to
#435,000/#466,000/#514,000.

2. Details of the four strands of the CashBack for Communities
youth rugby initiatives:

School Sport
- Work with the active schools network to offer rugby activity to
children in primary and secondary schools
- Work with the FSA to promote basic healthy living messages to primary
school children.
- Target secondary schools with little or no opportunities to experience
rugby and offer curricular and extra curricular programmes.
Specific Targets:
- 450 primary schools in year one, growing to 600 by year three.
Additional target of 13,500 pupils, growing to 18,000 by year three.
- 250 secondary schools in year one, growing to 300 by year three.
Additional target of 7,500 pupils, growing to 9,000 by year three.

Club Development
- Create a pathway to rugby through links from school activity to local
rugby clubs and create satellite rugby centres for
disadvantaged/disengaged youngsters.
- A of Pro Team Community visits by identified key professional players
as ambassadors for the Cash Back for Communities scheme.
Specific targets:
- A minimum of 50 players appearances at CashBack events has been
guaranteed by Scottish Rugby.

Street Rugby
- In partnership with local agencies introduce an easy to play and
portable version of 'Street Rugby' to engage with youngsters in their
own neighborhoods.
- Work with youth agencies to implement further training for jointly
funded development officers to work with challenging and disengaged
young people.
- Work with SFA, and other CashBack funded sports bodies, to deliver
joint CashBack events where appropriate.
Specific targets:
- 70 Street Rugby venues spread throughout Scotland, growing to 90 by
year three. Timescales will be agreed with local CSP's.
- 3,500 Street Rugby participants, growing to 4,500 by year three.

Volunteer Development
- Support Scottish Widows Rugby Champions Programme to reward and
recognise volunteers to help promote rugby in state Secondary Schools
- Offer training and leadership opportunities through the delivery of
coaching courses, Street Rugby leaders, Sports Leaders Awards,
refereeing and volunteering opportunities. Also opportunities for young
people to progress to our modern apprentice - Scottish Vocational
Qualifications programme. Any interested candidates will be offered
financially supported places.
Specific target:
- 400 volunteers in year one, growing to 625 by year three.

3. Scottish Rugby will work with partners to ensure these new
opportunities for Scotland's young people continue after the initial
funding period from CashBack for Communities.

4. Anyone wanting to register for further information, should log
on to www.cashbackscotland.com and for free updates about free
activities for under 18's in their area they should text "CASHBACK" to
61611.

This article was posted on 21-Apr-2008, 07:20 by Hugh Barrow.