

Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group discusses support for athletes transitioning careers
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Scottish Sport recently met in the Palace of Westminster to discuss support to athletes looking to transition to a new career after retirement. The Group welcomed former international badminton player, Emma Mason, who now holds leadership positions at several international governing bodies, and heard about her experience of retirement from sport and self-directed progression into a new career. Mason is also now a Director of Switch the Pl


Scottish Orienteering join Parliamentary Group
Scottish Orienteering have joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Scottish Sport. The Group, which comprises Members of both Houses of Parliament and from all major parties, exists to discuss and advance issues of importance to Scottish sport by complementing the work of the Scottish government and all Scottish governing bodies. Organisations with an interest in Scottish sport are welcome to join the Group, take part in its conversations, and challenge issues that face


Gavin Newlands MP calls on local fitness heroes to lead the way in run-up to National Fitness Day
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has attended a launch event for National Fitness Day in Westminster, and is now urging constituents to put themselves forward to be a regional fitness hero ahead of the event, which takes place on Wednesday 26 September. Mr Newlands, who is also SNP’s spokesperson for Sport, called on people to share a message about what fitness means to them online, using Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and the hashtag #Fitness2Me. From t


Gavin Newlands meets with St Mirren FC
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has visited St Mirren Football Club to formally congratulate them on winning the Scottish Championship. Mr Newlands – who also serves as the SNP Westminster Spokesperson for Sport – met with Chief Executive, Tony Fitzpatrick and Gary Tracey to speak about how their preparations for next season’s campaign in Scotland’s top flight is progressing. A discussion was also held on fan ownership and also on the range of commu


Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group welcomes first Governing Body Member
Scotland Rugby League has become the first organisation to join the All-Party Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group. The Group has recently adjusted its format to allow organisations with an interest in Scottish sport to join, take part in its conversations, promote the good work of sports in Scotland, and help to challenge issues that sport faces across the country. Scotland Rugby League is the national governing body for rugby league in Scotland and oversees development and pa


Gavin Newlands MP delivers speech on women in sport
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has delivered a conference speech calling on further action to be taken to increase sporting opportunities for women and young girls. Mr Newlands while chairing a seminar at a Westminster Media Forum event entitled Women and the Sport Sector: Leadership, Investment and International Competitiveness, delivered a speech which highlighted a number of barriers stopping women and young girls from participating in sports an


Commonwealth Games kick off with Gavin Newlands MP seeking a funding commitment from UK Government
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has called on the UK Government to guarantee that the Scottish Government, and the other devolved administrations, receive funding after it came to light that the UK Government plan to spend £560M to support the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This follows the UK Government supporting both the Manchester Commonwealth Games and the London Olympics but offering not one penny for Glasgow 2014. The Gold Coast 2018 Com


Gavin Newlands MP retains Parliamentary Darts Championship
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has retained his title as parliamentary darts champion following his victory at the charity Parliamentary Darts Championship held during the PDC Darts World Championships at the Alexandra Palace, in London. Mr Newlands – who also serves as the SNP Westminster Spokesperson for Sport – saw off competition from other parliamentarians on the night, including Tory MPs Nigel Adams MP, Nigel Mills MP and Labour MP, Toni Anto


More Scots women in sport
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North and SNP Westminster Spokesperson for Sport, has welcomed new statistics which show that more women are getting involved in sport than ever before. Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that in the last four years, we have witnessed a 40% increase in the number of women across Scotland participating in basketball, football, hockey, aquatics, rugby and tennis. Figures from the Scottish Parl


Parliament looks forward to Rugby League World Cup
Members of Parliament are looking forward to the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. A motion has been tabled in the House of Commons, wishing all home nations well ahead of the men’s and women’s competitions. The men’s competition kicks off on 27 October with England’s group A match against Australia, whilst Wales and Scotland face Papua New Guinea and Tonga respectively in the first round of fixtures. England are the only home