Kieran Healey-Ryder, Chair of the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) spoke to attendees at this years Network Dinner and Awards on 7th September at Perth Racecourse
Sport is not for everyone. Statistically, 2 in 5 participate. Yet, in my community, 4 in 5 are connected to our local. Clydesdale is a proud club back to 1848, with a thousand members today, from P1 to octogenarians. Look through our clubhouse, our trophy cabinet, our presidents’ roll call. It is a live narration of our story – a community on the South Side of Glasgow.
The club has born witness to every world event, every local event, my daughter’s birthday, our anniversary Ceilidh and incomparable fireworks every November.
Club Sport has undeniable power. Be that to transform the individual, to bring people together, and to make positive impact in the community. That is for everyone.
Too often the measure of sports’ import is reduced to a count of players. Club Sport does not happen by accident. It is not as simple as a time, a place – hopeful for good weather. There is greater pride, health and positivity in a community home to a club, then without.
Club Sport is home to the best of humanity. There’s none so passionate as the fanatics firm in the belief that their team may do well, who suffer the season, travel the road; ground to ground; game to to game; across Scotland. At the first glimpse of victory, they allow themselves that rarest of things – hope.
It’s true at ‘The Dale’, as it is at St Johnstone. Hope is electricity that binds a Club.
We need that energy to enthuse, to organize, to safeguard, to stock-take-kit (washed and unwashed!), to assuage neighbours, to recruit and replace a funder, or repair and replace the roof. Hope is key to how we cultivate the next generation of players.
It is a privilege to serve as Chair of an industry partnership that seeks to do good in the community, albeit not of a sporting nature. We do that by promoting responsible consumption of alcohol, and investing in initiatives that address the small proportion that encounter harmful drinking.
We recognize the good done by sport in the community, as we are right there – invested.
Yet, the game is tough. Conditions, not favourable. A part of the magic of these islands is the uniquely Scottish character of our communities. Yet, that spirit needs kindle, and that is where Club Sport comes in.
For The Dale, and in Hockey, despite the National Pride in Team Scotland, the grass roots need cultivated. We have the potential to be up there as the best in our nation. A bid for two Guinees World Records, 8 Teams competing in Europe, and a bid for Euro 2025. ‘Mon the Dale!
We are home to Hockey, Cricket, Dance, Netball, Salsa, Road Runners, Schools, University and Masters – even land-based swim training. But, the game is tough. We are volunteer-run, with a new pitch requiring 500,000, and a closed door on grant-funding. We have emergent need for video-assisted analysis. Dug Outs need ‘Re Dug’. The evolution of standards, which we welcome, requires investment in qualified and unqualified umpires. Critically, the distance from pitch to toilet is an endurance test in its own right, and that’s a challenge for the youngest and the oldest of our community!
Hockey is not alone. Investment in the community has suffered the successive, erosive impact of decisions made ‘in the board room’ but outwith the sport. Development Trusts, Local Authorities, Holyrood and Westminster have all have had a hand in suspended play.
The game is tough. But there is hope. Industry stands to do good in the community. Despite the risk of restriction, by a government threat of legislation, that stod to constrain the partnership between industry and sport.
Be that; to raffle, to sponsor, on the field and in the clubhouse.
Today we have a government in Holyrood today with a renewed commitment to foster a positive role for industry. We all welcome that. `‘Hope is that we continue to have a place on that touchline.
Today, I take this opportunity to call on government. First, to recognize the intrinsic value of Club Sport in the community. Second, to create conditions that foster positive involvement by industry, in Sport, long term.
The joy of Club Sport does not begin and end on the field. I challenge every elected member of every colour to spend an afternoon in their local club – you’ll be glad you do.
To those in community sport – you are champion. When the paint is dry, new bleachers are in, whether you win, loose or draw – this industry is ready to stand with you.
Scottish ClubSport thanks the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership for their sponsorship of this years Network Dinner and Awards.