We are delighted to introduce Scottish rugby legend, Scott Hastings, as our new sports expert. Scott played for the Scottish rugby team from 1986 to 1997, and represented the country in 51 international games. He is the Scotland team’s most-capped player ever.
Scott is also the spokesperson for the Scottish Sports Association – an independent organisation that manages governing bodies and oversees sports strategies. He spoke to Informed Edinburgh’s Rebecca Jamieson about why encouraging Scotland’s sporting culture is so important.
Scott Hastings
What are your top tips for keeping fit in Edinburgh?
It’s not about paying a lot of money to join a gym; it’s about getting outdoors and enjoying yourself. Edinburgh is a beautiful city and has so many parks and hills to explore that there’s no reason not to be active. Another good way to get fit is to join a club. Making connections with like-minded people can create a sense of community and make everyone more enthusiastic about sport.
Why did you decide to become involved with the Scottish Sports Association?
I’m passionate about sport. It’s given me everything in life; health, friendships, discipline. My outlook on life has been shaped by playing sport. I want to see Scotland participating in sports because it encourages such good discipline and behaviour, not to mention the health benefits it brings. Scotland is a great country with fabulous landscapes and fabulous walks, and I think that being active should be a part of our lifestyles. Scotland has so much to offer on the sports front.
Why do the Government need to focus on sport?
The SSA has launched a Manifesto for Sport to encourage all political parties to put sport at the top of their agenda. This is so important because when it comes to the Scottish elections in 2011, the government who goes into power will also be the government who take Scotland through a very important time in its sporting culture. The Ryder Cup (major golfing event) will be hosted at Gleneagles in 2014, and we have the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow later that year. The Commonwealth Games are hugely important to Scotland as they give so many people the opportunity to get involved in sport. Hopefully they will also help improve sporting facilities across the country.
How important is it to have good sporting facilities in Scotland?
Spartans FC's pitch at Ainslee Park
Good facilities make such a difference to a community. In Edinburgh there is Broughton High School, which now has Astroturf pitches as well as a brand new school. That Astroturf pitch is actively being used out of school hours by many clubs and societies, where previously it wasn’t available. It gives me great delight to see so many kids out playing sport because that opportunity to play there didn’t exist 12 months ago.
Do you think improved facilities help to improve people’s attitudes towards sport?
Yes, I definitely think they do. I think good facilities encourage people to come along because they make it a more enjoyable experience. We’ve all heard about the leaky taps and cold showers after a game of sport, and it really doesn’t appeal to people. Modern facilities are the key.
A great example of improved facilities in Edinburgh is the Spartan’s football club down in Ainslie Park. They’ve got a state-of-the-art 3G pitch, a five-a-side pitch, new changing rooms and the facilities are absolutely fantastic. This is a focussed area for the local community – for young boys and girls to go down and play sport. For me, the more facilities we have locally, the more the community can really own them.
What would you say are the individual benefits of doing sport?
I think the discipline, and the understanding of the laws and rules of a game, as well as the fitness and health benefits. And the communication benefits are so important – it really keeps your brain mentally alert. I heard a lovely story recently from a teacher who used to love teaching her kids once they’d come back from a P.E session because the kids were far more attentive and alert and buzzing with endorphins. She said it was a lovely atmosphere to teach in, and she felt like she got the most out of them after they’d been doing exercise.
How important is keeping fit for you?
Walking in the Pentlands
Hugely. I’ve got to keep my weight down! So I need to keep fit and healthy. I love running around the hills in Edinburgh and was out running this morning with my dog. Corstorphine Hill and Inverleith Park are particular favourites. If I don’t exercise I feel lethargic and uninspired. Of course, there are times when I’m feeling tired and can’t be bothered, but I usually try and overcome that. Once you get past that and get out the front door it makes it all worthwhile.
And what else are you doing with yourself these days?
I’m involved in sports marketing as well as running my own events. Sport is very much at the core of what I do. I also do a lot more media work – I’ve recently been co-hosting the Hour Show with Michelle McManus, and I also work on the Magners League which is a rugby programme. Additionally, I co-host a programme on STV rugby with Andy Nicol, and I do a bit of commentating for Sky and Setanta.
Look out for more information from Scott, coming soon on Informed Edinburgh.
