McMillan Welcomes Cashback for Communities Funding

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill that grass-roots level athletics, badminton, hockey, squash and tennis will benefit from a £1.5 million investment over the next two years using funds from the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities initiative.

Cash recovered from the proceed of crime will be used to provide new participation opportunities for more than 10,000 young people across Scotland, and adds to existing sports programmes in football, rugby and basketball.

Mr McMillan commented:

"I am delighted that the Scottish Government is using the money recovered from the proceeds of crime in a positive manner and investing in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

"Athletics, hockey, tennis, badminton and squash are five popular sports that have a common strand - they can make a difference to people's lives.

"Sport contributes to the health and well-being of young people and this investment is an excellent example of how Cashback is making a positive impact. By taking funds from the ill-gotten gains of crime and putting it back into our communities we are making them safer. There will be places for up to 10,000 young people to get involved in these new sports and help steer them away from potentially getting involved with petty crime or drink and drugs."