It was the greatest privilege to be awarded a CBE for Services to Sport in His Majesty, The King’s New Year’s Honours. The award was completely unexpected and I want to publicly thank those who nominated me.
Sport has been a very large part of my life from a very young age and I have both my parents to thank for that. They were both hugely supportive and encouraging, as were my teachers and good friends at school. The sports in which I have participated are too numerous to mention but there is no doubt that, over many years, I gained the most from tennis, hockey and cricket. They instilled in me the importance of being part of a team; of good leadership, of building confidence, resilience and self-esteem, but also that sportsmanship is just as important as the competition itself. Sport taught me how to lose as well as how to win, or, in the words of Rudyard Kipling which are inscribed above the Players’ Entrance at Wimbledon, how to “treat the two imposters of triumph and disaster just the same.” That lesson in life is so important (especially in politics!).
Since becoming an MSP in 2007, much of my work has been devoted to Holyrood’s Cross Party Group on Sport and on developing the opportunities for young people to experience the benefits of outdoor education. In both cases, it has been my privilege to work with so many sports associations and educational establishments across Scotland and particularly with so many wonderful volunteers at every level. Often unsung and working in challenging circumstances (including the Scottish weather!), they are a remarkable army of people who do so much to bring credit and excellence to Scottish sport. Without them, we wouldn’t have our elite athletes but neither would we have the thousands of grassroots clubs where it all begins.
Recently, as Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Sport, I once again hosted the annual Scottish Sports Association Reception at Holyrood. On this occasion there was specific focus on the development of disability sport. The sheer courage and determination and also the skills of the athletes who attended was remarkable and an example to us all about what sport really means. It is so good to see the progress that is being made to improve inclusion and accessibility in sport although there is still much work to be done. That challenge will remain central to my efforts in the Scottish Parliament.
Working with the governing bodies within the Scottish Sports Association, so ably run by Kim Atkinson, is one of the great pleasures in my life at Holyrood. I would like to think my CBE reflects their dedicated service to sport across Scotland.
