‘Go For It Scotland’… Dundee Gymnast Head Over Heels With Bursary Win

Kirsty Campbell, a gymnast from Dundee and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth hopeful, is one of 40 lucky recipients of a £500 Go For It Scotland! bursary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in partnership with sportscotland.

Today (Monday 12 May) The Minister for Parliamentary Business, Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, met with Kirsty to present her with the bursary. The Minister was joined by Jenni Henderson from Quality Meat Scotland. Kirsty was joined by team members and a coach from her club, The Dundee Gymnastics club 2K (DGC2K) who have also been awarded a bursary in the group winners section.

Kirsty has been training with the Dundee Gymnastics Club since she was four years old and her greatest ambition is to compete at the highest level possible for Scotland in gymnastics - she is aiming to be selected for the Scottish Commonwealth Team this summer.

In order to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, Kirsty needs to gain the qualifying score on the floor which she will attempt to do at the English and British Championships. This requires entry fees as well as transport and accommodation costs and as Kirsty is currently in full time education, it is not something she could afford without the help of the Go For It Scotland! bursary.

Kirsty said: “My ultimate aim is to do well while representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games this summer. Without the help of the Go For It Scotland! bursary this is not something I would have been financially able to do. The bursary will be a massive help in getting me where I want to be within my sport. ”

Minister for Parliamentary Business said: “We are just months away from the best Commonwealth Games the world will have ever seen.  Ahead of the summer, Go For It Scotland! is already breaking down barriers by supporting people and clubs from a range of backgrounds, ages and sporting ambitions. The awards today will help make Scotland a more active place, encourage more people to enjoy sport and create a legacy from the Games.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to Kirsty on this bursary and wish her all the very best in her journey to the Commonwealth Games.”

Jenni Henderson, Quality Meat Scotland’s health and education executive said: “Since its launch in 2012, the Go For It Scotland! bursary has enabled over 1000 individuals and clubs across Scotland to be better equipped and has further increased the opportunities for local communities to be physically active.

“Working in partnership with sportscotland, the bursary programme is a terrific extension to our other health and education initiatives that encourage a better understanding of the importance of a healthy diet and the role played in that by Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.”

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, the national agency for sport, commented:  “Our partnership with Quality Meat Scotland has benefited a number of excellent projects throughout the country which assist young people to participate in sport and physical activity.

“With 2014 set to be a momentous year for Scottish sport, congratulations to Kirsty Campbell and all of the recipients of a 2013-2014 Go For It Scotland! bursary.” 

2013/2014 winners include:

Individual Winners 2013/14

Kirsty Campbell

Gymnastics - commonwealth hopeful

Dundee

Brad Arthur

Triathlon

Coull

Kobe Barker

Inline Roller Hockey

East Kilbride

Donna Robertson

Freestyle Wrestling - commonwealth hopeful

Hamilton

Fiona Robertson

Freestyle Wrestling - commonwealth hopeful

Hamilton

Hamish Taylor

Sailing

Mhairi McLaughlin

Fencing

Edinburgh

Toby Carter

Fencing

Aberfeldy

Ella Connolly

Mountain Biking (cross country racing)

Nairn

Vaila Chapman

Freestyle Snowboarding

Lasswade

Daniella McCormick

Figure Skating

Saltcoats

James Coulter

Karate

Glasgow

Michael McGraw

Tae Kwon Do

Bellshill

Group Winners 2013/14

Balfron Barracudas Swimming Club

Swimming

Livingston and District Dolphins

Swimming

Falkirk Bicycle Club

Road Cycling

Clydesdale Colts Cycling Club

Cycling

Filles A Velo

Cycling

Mayfield and Easthouses Youth 2000 Project

Mountain Biking

Men's SHARE Project

Football

Riverside Football Club

Football

Mossend Football Club

Football

Grampian Flyers Basketball Club

Basketball

Dundee Gymnastics Club 2K (DGC2K)

Gymnastics