A revised nationwide Sports Strategy was launched today as final approval was given for work to begin on the £27 million Stirling Sports Village. Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said Reaching Higher: Building on the Success of Sport 21 took into account the need for greater participation and elite performance improvement, and recognised that strong leadership was required to deliver legacies from a London Olympics and a Glasgow Commonwealth Games. "The strategy is primarily about the improvement and development of Scottish sport but it is also about improving health, developing self confidence and improving quality of life. "It is, I believe, a new strategic approach which provides clear leadership and direction for sport in Scotland. "Having state of the art facilities can help realise our sporting ambitions. That's why the Scottish Executive and its partners are investing tens of millions of pounds in new sport training and competition facilities across Scotland." Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "We welcome the launch of the revised strategy which provides a strong framework from which to increase participation and improve performance in Scottish sport. We look forward to working with the Scottish Executive and key partners in delivering it." THE STRATEGY CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE MEMBERS AREA OF OUR SITE VIA THE LINK BELOW...