MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Maree Todd believes Highlands have potential to become Scottish sporting hub of excellence
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Scottish Government minister for public health, women's health and sport Maree Todd believes the Highlands have the potential to become a Scottish hub of sporting excellence.
Speaking at Scottish Gynmastics event in Inverness, the MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross spoke to officials from the governing body, witnessed Inverness Gymnastics Club sessions and even take some ribbon advice from Commonwealth Games silver medallist Louise Christie.
What struck the minister in particular, though, was the passion that shone through from everyone involved.
Accessibility can be a barrier in the Highlands to participating in sport, with youngsters sometimes having to travel many miles to get to clubs or training centres.
However, clubs from a range of sports continue to thrive despite those potential limitations, and with Highland athletes generally making their mark on a global stage Todd would love to see opportunities continue to develop.
If that is the case, she believes there is every chance the Highlands could become a powerhouse region of Scottish sport.
"I think the Highlands is the centre of the universe, so I'm loving it that everyone has come here," Todd said of the Scottish Gymnastics event in Inverness.
"Children and young people travel from miles to participate, and it has got phenomenal rates of participation and success. This is a sport that is flourishing in the Highlands, and if it flourishes in the Highlands it can flourish anywhere.
"I think there is a real opportunity for the Highlands to be a hub of sporting excellence.
"We are really getting it now, and actually the Commonwealth Games was so inspiring for that.
"We're an inspiring bunch of people, and when we put our heads and our bodies into it we can do anything."
Given the event Todd was attending, she particularly hailed the potential benefit of gymnastics for people of all ages and backgrounds.
"Those tiny tots come along and they learn physical literacy, which is something that they can take with them right throughout their career in gymnastics but also into other sports as well," she added.
"Even older people can participate in gymnastics, and actually as public health minister we're understanding that much better. We focus on aerobic exercise for health, but it's really important that you have this strength and conditioning as well – that's what's going to help you stay independent in your old age.
"I want everybody to participate in sport. It's really good for your physical health – that's a no-brainer – but it's also good for your mental health and your social health.
"These children are having great fun interacting with each other, so it's really important, if you want that life-long benefit, that the first time that children come along and get involved in sport that it's really welcoming and they feel like they can enjoy it and participate whatever their ability."
