Sportscotland is targeting primary schools to ensure that Scottish children are fit for life. A total of pound;2.8 million will be invested to provide training and sports equipment to primary schools throughout Scotland through the TOP Programme, launched this week at Towerbank Primary in Edinburgh. Twelve local authorities have taken part in pilot projects. The TOP Programme is split into TOP Play and TOP Sport. TOP Play aims to nurture children aged five to nine and teach team essential skills such as throing and jumping. TOP Sport teaches seven to 12 year olds basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, rugby and tennis.

“Investment in giving teachers and community leaders the training and specialist equipment to get Scots active at a young age will pay massive dividends further down the line... for these individuals and our nation’s spiralling health bills,” said Sportscotland chair Alastair Dempster.

Application forms from Sportscotland. Local authorities must apply for primary schools.