An MSP has launched a campaign to bring Scotland’s new flagship national football academy to Dundee.
Labour’s Jenny Marra is calling on the Scottish Government to recognise Dundee’s “proud history of footballing excellence” by basing the multi-million pound centre in the city.
Ms Marra, who was elected to Holyrood through the list system in May’s election, told The Courier Dundee is the “ideal” place for the planned facility, which was a key election pledge of the SNP.
The move would lead to a more equal geographic distribution of sports investment in the coming years, she said, in light of the large amount being ploughed into Glasgow as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The call will put pressure on Dundee East MSP Shona Robison who, in her role as Commonwealth Games and sports minister, has overall responsibility for both projects.
Ms Marra has written to Ms Robison asking her to give “serious consideration” to locating the academy and associated national indoor football centre in Dundee.
“The SNP pledged a new national football academy and indoor centre in its manifesto,” she said. “Shona Robison repeated this promise in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament last month. I think Dundee is the ideal place to host the national football academy and the new indoor facility.
“Dundee has a long and proud history of footballing excellence, in the professional clubs, juniors, amateurs and schools. Our clubs’ glory days are known throughout Europe. With the Commonwealth Games investment based in the west, it is only fitting that Dundee gets a slice of the sports investment.Sign up”I would ask anyone who supports this to sign up to the campaign on my website. Dundee is the ideal place to train football stars of the future. We have two great clubs with a proud record of training and development in our community.
“I have no doubt that the whole city would welcome the national academy with open arms, be generous hosts to young footballers coming here to train, and make a great success of this exciting national initiative.
“I am urging Shona Robison to deliver for her own city and bring the future of football home to Dundee.”
Ms Robison reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to the creation of a national football academy, saying efforts continue.
Highlighting work already under way to improve leisure facilities in Dundee, she said, “We want all of Scotland to see both tangible benefits and a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Dundee is already seeing improvements being made to a range of sporting facilities, including the new Olympia pool, upgraded pitches at Dundee International Sports Centre and the creation of a gymnastics centre for excellence.
“We are committed to the provision of a national football academy and are currently in discussion with the SFA and sportscotland to determine the next steps in this process.”