Perth, Kinross and Fife residents are being urged to get behind a local youth 
sports group to help them win £200,000 in a national competition launched by a leading housebuilder.
Persimmon Homes launched its Healthy Communities scheme last May, with the aim of giving £615,000 to support amateur youth sport in England, Scotland and Wales.
Thirty finalists are now competing for the top prize with the winner to be announced at a gala dinner at York Racecourse on Thursday, March 22. One
individual or group will scoop £200,000, while two runners-up will win £50,000 each. Each of the 27 finalists will win £5,000 each.
Kinross Volleyball Club has been chosen to represent Persimmon Homes North Scotland in the final and it is now up to the public to decide on the winner with online voting under way for six weeks until March 16.
People can vote for their favourite sporting group by visiting www.persimmonhomes.com/healthy-communities/finalists#list
Coach David Munro said: “We are urging everyone in Perth and Kinross and of course across Scotland to back us in this competition and take the time to vote as such a large amount of money would be a real game changer for our group allowing us to reach more youngsters across a wider area.
“Both our junior teams and the wider club would benefit hugely from the funding giving us the chance to fund our teams in competitions around the country, train additional coaches and officials, cover the cost of essential first aid training as well as employing two part time volleyball development officers to work in schools.
Iain Innes, managing director of Persimmon Homes North Scotland, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the Healthy Communities scheme, and the incredible talent, expertise and dedication shown by all the sporting groups that entered.
“The aim of the scheme is to help create a sporting legacy, and we believe Kinross Volleyball Club could do this if they win the £200,000. We would urge local people to get behind this group by adding their vote online, as the work they do is tremendous.”
As part of the scheme thousands of groups and individuals applied for monthly donations of £750 to pay for kit and equipment. As part of their entry they had to say what they would spend the £200,000 on if they were lucky enough to win the top prize. Persimmon Homes North Scotland donated £6,000 locally as part of this and nationally, Persimmon’s 30 businesses donated £180,000.
The Kinross youngsters have been busy this past week with the under 18 boys’ and girls’ teams competing in Scottish Volleyball’s Dundee Festival where the boys finished in bronze medal position. The under 13 boys team travelled to Glasgow to play in Scottish Volleyball’s Cup competition where they lost to Belmont House and Belmont Academy. The under 15 boys face Carrick Academy at home with this game being played next Wednesday. The following Wednesday sees the under 18 boys at home to Oban High School also in the Scottish Cup with the girls’ under 18 team due to travel to Banchory Academy.
All of this plus the fact that many of the Kinross youngsters are also involved in the Perth District League at Bell’s Sports Centre on Sunday evenings with some of the boys due to play for Perth & Kinross Under 18’s in the MACVolley Super Cup at Ravenscraig Sports Centre on Sunday 4th March.
Kinross youngsters received another massive boost with the announcement that Callum Campbell and Jack McKelvey have been named in the Scotland under 20 men’s squad.
