Kay's golden boost

Kay Copland, right, and teammate Jennifer McIntosh won gold medals at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

SHARPSHOOTER Kay Copland has been given a £10,000 reward for capturing gold at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The 21-year-old former Banff Academy pupil, whose parents live near Portsoy, is among Scotland’s 28 medallists to receive a share of £182,500.

Each of the ten gold medallists were awarded £10,000, 15 silver medallists were given £5,000 each and three bronze medallists received £2,500 each.

Details of the ‘Medallists Reward Scheme’ were announced last week by Michael Cavanagh, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) Board.

The purpose of the scheme is to show recognition for Scotland’s most successful games athletes, and to assist them after they ‘retire’ from competing at elite level, with a boost to their longer-term savings and investment planning.

The initiative is being funded through CGS investments, including monies received from the Glasgow 2014 Joint Marketing Plan Agreement.

Mr Cavanagh said: "It is recognised that while many athletes receive some contributions towards their sporting costs while competing through the Lottery and other support mechanisms, most put their non-sporting lives on hold and can struggle to re-establish their career after they retire.

"These funds are targeted to invest in pensions or to assist in establishing their life following retirement from top-flight competition.

"We believe this is a real step forwards and something we are keen to continue.

"We also see this as a tangible benefit for athletes, resulting at least in part from Scotland being the next games hosts and CGS receiving monies from the required buy-out of our marketing rights by the organising committee."

Among those receiving £10,000 was Kay’s 50-metre rifle prone pairs teammate Jen McIntosh, from Aberdeen, who went on to win an individual gold. The pair also won bronze in the 50-metre rifle pairs.

The team gold could not have been closer, with Kay and Jen defeating English rivals Michelle Smith and Sharon Lee into second place on a countback of bulls scored after both teams finished on the same points.

Kay, a music student in Aberdeen, and Jen now have their sights set on trying to make the UK team for next year’s London Olympics.

Welcoming the news of the reward scheme, Jen said: "I am already really excited about the prospect of competing in front of a home crowd in Glasgow in 2014 and trying to repeat my achievements from Delhi.

"However this is a great additional boost for athletes, knowing that they will be recognised and supported in the longer term. I have put my studies on hold this last year to help me realise my sporting dreams and this type of initiative will be really beneficial when the time comes to move on from being a full-time athlete."

Former swimmer and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Andy Hunter said: "As someone who has just retired from their sport and is starting out on a new career path, this funding will be invaluable in helping me bridge the gap between my old life and my future direction."