Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg and Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Kimberley Reed today showed their support for the Games for Scotland programme at a Commonwealth themed dance event featuring 500 children from across Edinburgh.

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 was delivered in partnership between Edinburgh Leisure and The City of Edinburgh Council and 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 23rd July, a date which represents three years to go, and will continue until the 27th October, the date which signifies 1,000 days to go until the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

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 27th October it’s so inspiring to see events like this running across the country right up until this significant milestone.”

Kimberley Reed, 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.”

Dance Fest saw 500 children from schools across the capital come together for the city’s first ever school based recreational dance show. The event played a huge role in encouraging local people to be active and learn about some of the countries that will take part in the Glasgow 2014 Games. Participating schools included: Ferryhill, Pirnehiall, Broughton, St Mary’s Leith, Granton, Forthview, Flora Stevenson primary schools.

Edinburgh Leisure Legacy Officer Shelagh Jackson said: “Building on the success of the Delhi Commonwealth Games Handover Celebrations in the city last year, today’s event is an excellent celebration of the work being done by all partners on the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Legacy Group to increase participation in dance by young people, showcase dance styles from around the Commonwealth and develop the long term capacity for dance provision in local schools/ communities.

City Education Leader Cllr Marilyne MacLaren said:
“The Commonwealth Games present a fantastic opportunity and we’re determined to make the most of the enthusiasm. A legacy shouldn’t just be assumed, we need to make sure that young people have the opportunity to become involved. Programmes of events which reflect the sporting and cultural values of the Games can do this and I’m confident that pupils who take part in our events will feel that they’ve played their part in Glasgow 2014.”

Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said: “It’s little more than three years until the start of the Commonwealth Games. Now more than ever in the countdown to 2014 it’s important that we involve local people and communities from across Scotland in the excitement of the Games.

“Hosting the Games is not only about putting on a spectacular sporting extravaganza but also about leaving a lasting legacy for the people of Scotland. The Games for Scotland programme will form a key strand of this and is a perfect platform for bringing the community together. I would encourage everyone to come along, have fun and play their part.”

Paul Bush, EventScotland Chief Operating Officer said:
“With just under three years until the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games events like Dance fest provide local community members with the opportunity to be inspired, motivated and to feel a sense of pride around Scotland’s role as hosts of the next Commonwealth Games. The event is a great example of how local communities can be engaged in, and really feel as though they are a part of the Commonwealth Games”

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.

‘Get involved and be part of our Games’. For further information on Games for Scotland go to www.eventscotland.org/gamesforscotland

For further information on Glasgow 2014 go to www.glasgow2014.com