Scouts Scotland and SCA team up
Jul 15, 2019
We are excited to announce a new partnership between Scouts Scotland and the Scottish Canoe Association with the vision: “All Scouts will have the opportunity to paddle”.
SCA and Scouts Scotland will work together to focus on providing support and training to existing volunteers, and recruiting further volunteers who can deliver paddlesports to Scouts, as well as linking up with existing providers of paddlesport who are not already involved with Scouts. Scouting is the largest co-educational youth movement in Scotland. Each week, Scouts Scotland give almost 40,000 young people in Scotland the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed in life. Scouting offers more than 200 activities from abseiling and coding to drama and archery. All made possible by the efforts of 12,000 volunteers in Scotland.
The partnership will also focus on creating more opportunities for paddling across different disciplines and exploring the creation of “regional paddlesports hubs” for Scouts.
Recent work between British Canoeing and the Scouts Association has created a clearer link between Scouting paddlesport activity and British Canoeing qualifications and awards, and the partnership between SCA and Scouts Scotland will develop this work further.
Andy Murray, Head of Coaching and Development at SCA said “We are delighted to be working with Scouts Scotland to create more opportunities for young people across the country to enjoy paddlesport. Thousands of Scouts across Scotland already take part in paddlesport, but in some cases a lack of suitably qualified volunteers or opportunities means paddlesports is not available to all young Scouts.
We know that paddlesport is a hugely beneficial activity for young people; paddlesport offers adventure, develops important life skills, improves mental health and wellbeing, and working with Scouts Scotland to help more Scouts get on the water can only benefit the younger generation.”
Judith McCleary, Head of Outdoor and Adventure at Scouts Scotland said "‘Scottish Canoe Association and Scouts Scotland are aligned in many objectives, and we are delighted to have a partnership that can only enhance opportunities and recognition for volunteers and participants alike. Introductory paddlesports sessions are included in many of our programmes, whether that be at one of our Scout Adventure centres, or directly through scouting groups. By working more closely with SCA, we aim to provide a clear pathway for anyone wishing to progress their development further in the sport."
Jon Schofield, double Olympic Sprint Kayak medallist and Head of Performance and Pathways at SCA said “The opportunity I had to paddle with the Scouts absolutely changed my life. When I tried kayaking in the swimming pool for the first time, I was hooked. Since then I found the competitive disciplines matched my nature and I have had a long and enjoyable career racing around the world. This has given me an amazing community of like-minded friends, all down to that first chance that Scouting gave me. Enabling more scouts to have the opportunity I had, due to this new partnership is very exciting to see.“
Visit the Scouts Scotland website here.
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