Our sport and outdoor education team became part of an elite group when they were awarded the title Sports Leadership Outreach Centre by Sports Leaders UK.

Stevie Begen, business development manager for Sports Leaders UK said the award was down to the hard work and quality programmes that the council has delivered and also the work they are looking to deliver in the year ahead.

He said: "I've been particularly impressed by their commitment to work closely with local communities to break down barriers to participation in sport. The council is one of only six other organisations to achieve this award in Scotland."

Some of the programmes that we have run in partnership with Sports Leaders UK include:

• Two sports development unemployment training programmes that the sport and outdoor education team runs in partnership with Lanarkshire's Working;

• Young leaders award in partnership with early years and child care;

• Women get set go award;

• Dance leaders award; and a

• One day sports leaders certificate.

Last year, our sport and outdoor education team, supported by Lanarkshire's Working, put 30 unemployed people through the sports leaders award level 2, and 24 of them are now in employment.

In addition, 70 children have successfully completed the young leader's award and 15 women have successfully the women get set to go award.