Shona Robison has welcomed news of a sportscotland award for the development of a covered 3G surface sports arena at the Back Football and Recreation Club.

The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport was in the Western Isles for a series of engagements, including a visit to the club at Upper Coll and the launch of NHS Western Isles' 'Well North Bus' - a mobile unit providing healthcare screening and treatment services to local communities - at Tolsta School.

The £338,417 sportscotland award for the Upper Coll facility includes £200,000 from the CashBack for Communities scheme, which re-invests money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act back into communities hit by crime and anti-social behaviour, providing opportunities for young people to take part in free activities and programmes. It completes a funding package to bring the new all-weather arena to reality.

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Ms Robison said: "This investment in a cover for the sports arena and the launch of the Well North Bus is excellent news for the people of the Western Isles.

"Sport can make a significant contribution to Scotland's health and well-being as well as giving our young people something positive, purposeful and constructive to do. This latest investment in facilities at Back Football and Recreation Club will deliver a covered all-weather pitch that will help increase the opportunities for young people in the local area to participate in football."

Since its launch in 2007, the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme has re-invested £44 million of money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act back into communities hit by crime and anti-social behaviour, providing opportunities for over 600,000 young people to take part in free activities and programmes.

CashBack for Communities is part of the Scottish Government's commitment to a Safer, Stronger and Healthier Scotland.

(GK)