CHILDREN from across Edinburgh took part in a dance event to show their support for the Games for Scotland scheme.
The 500 youngsters were joined by Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg and Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Kimberley Reed.
Delivered by EventScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Games for Scotland programme sees a number of events taking place across the country which inspire, motivate, engage and engender pride in the people of Scotland around Glasgow’s role as host of the next Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Today’s event took place at Broughton High School. It celebrated the culmination of a series of dance classes held in schools and communities since the start of the academic year. Following their participation in the programme and with the support of the partners involved, dance provision within communities and schools will be sustained out with the school day.
The Games for Scotland programme of celebrations started on July 23, a date which represents three years to go, and will continue until October 27, the date which signifies 1,000 days to go until the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
Exciting
Speaking at Dance Fest, Edinburgh Leisure’s Games for Scotland event, David Grevemberg said: “The Games for Scotland programme has provided a fantastic opportunity for people across the country to participate in a number of fascinating events that have celebrated Scotland’s culture, heritage and role as host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Innovative and exciting cultural programmes are an essential part of any Commonwealth Games and events like Dance Fest here in Edinburgh allow participants the opportunity to enjoy and experience a range of dance and sporting activities. As we prepare to celebrate 1,000 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2014 on October 27th it’s so inspiring to see events like this running across the country right up until this significant milestone.”
Kimberley Reed, a local athlete and silver medallist in the women’s hammer at the recent Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man, suggested that the Games for Scotland event programme will play a key role in generating local community interest in the Commonwealth Games in the lead up to 2014: “Obviously having a home Games is going to be huge for Scotland, and getting people interested is really important with only 1000 days to go. I’ve had a taste of it at the Commonwealth Youth Games and that’s just left me wanting more, so I hope other people will feel the same after today.”
Events still to come as part of the 2011 Games for Scotland programme include Active Renfrewshire Gateway to the Games, Count us In (Scottish Borders), Dance Track (Falkirk) and East Dunbartonshire Gym and Dance Fest.
