EDUCATION AND HEALTH MUST GO HAND IN HAND

YOU only need to look at the pictures on these pages to understand what the return of grassroots sports means to those involved. It didn’t matter if it was athletics, football or rugby. It didn’t matter what level it was being played at. It just mattered that these young people were able to return to something which brings them so much joy. And everyone has a part to play in building on that. The biggest obstacle to sport in this country remains opportunity — or, rather, the lack thereof. Now is the time for that to change. In a country where many would rather play politics, of course, change is never easy. The Scottish Football Association made a plea to the political parties earlier this week to harness football as a force for good. It’s the right sentiment but Scottish sport needs to see the bigger picture. This must be a combined effort, not just one sport ploughing its own furrow, and it needs to target our young people. The best place to start would be with sport engaging more in schools, and not just at elite level, to help provide more opportunities for children. In these pages, Laura Muir spells out clearly how much school played a part in her development. Education and health go hand in hand. It has been suggested this week that a ‘sports afternoon’ be brought in across the spectrum every week and not just be the preserve of private schools. It is an idea worth investigating. There are people in sport at all levels desperate to make a difference. It’s now time to give them the backing they need, the funds they deserve — and unleash their full potential.