04/10/2012 Sport Nation

Hello and welcome to Sport Nation. This is the programme covering the

length and breadth of sporting events, issues and personalities.

Coming up: We have a special investigation into Murrayfield's

plans to conquer the world. People say, isn't the World Cup, winning

at a bridge too far? We're in the business to be the best. We look at

the Parc Scotland House plague in the Ryder Cup. So Scottish golf, it

is in our DNA. With Andy Murray now confirmed as one of the best and

the world, can this country be optimistic about his legacy? Having

courts in the park opening up our school facilities to the wider

community, seems to be the most obvious way to get new people into

the game. We speak to one of our London Olympic winners and her life

has changed since he struck gold. am not going to lie, it is a big

bike nut! With the sporting summer now but a memory, we assess the

challenges facing Glasgow before the Commonwealth Games. Things that

-- but things like the Health League's not having to walk too far

to do it food hall, having the right length of beds! It is the

details that are important. Scotland win the Rugby World Cup in

2015? Can we even win a Grand Slam between now and then? We would like

to have been sold. Scottish rugby set itself simple targets this

summer. That included success in both of these events and a massive

increase in people watching and playing. With the Autumn

Internationals just around the corner, here is a rugby reporter,

Jim Mason. Scottish rugby is facing a shake-up, a plan that will affect

everyone who plays and watches the game in Scotland.

From the stars to wear the jersey, to the men, women and children who

turn out now thousands to play the game every week. What the

international stage, Scottish Rugby's mainland has described the

National teen... as an on of the day side. Occasionally they can mix

it with the best. Scotland has brought 27 long years of Australia

resoundingly to a close. Or as in last year's Six Nations, they

finished bottom of the pile. Just watch it, he has got to make that

tackled. Unfortunately, he slips out of the tackle. To be, too

strong. No longer, says Scottish rugby. They have a target in their

sights. 2015, the Rugby World Cup. What we're trying to do is say to

people, this is where we want to be. This is a journey between now and

2015 that Scottish rugby is going to go on. We're setting targets for

her cells often on the field, and for the nation to say this is what

Scotland will be in 2015. Iain Morrison is now one of the

country's most respected rugby journalists. You have got to set

goals. Mark Dobson has done that. You put a time frame on it, 2015.

He has made it public. The problem is that the third aspect, it has

got to be attainable. I am not convinced that this Scotland team

can win a World Cup, and afraid. create a strong national team,

Glasgow and Edinburgh have to play their parts. That target for the

team's his success in Europe and more people at games. The 10,000

fans at Edinburgh, they should be getting that now every weekend.

Edinburgh is a rugby city. Why don't they have that? They

certainly should be getting that. A smaller ground would probably help

as it would have more atmosphere. Same target for Glasgow. At no

reason why they shouldn't make it. It might it them a bit longer.

Queensferry are in new club and they play in the East League Three,

one of those targets would benefit them greatly. By 2015 it is hoped

that the number of adult teams in Scotland would rise from 401, to

500. That could mean a second team for so Queensberry -- South

Queensferry. I think the plants to get 500 teams are extremely

ambitious. There is a pool of players and rugby is not a game you

can learn as an adult and compete at first 15 level. It is something

you need to grow up with. It is very difficult to get the players

who haven't played before. We have given ourselves a target this year

to finish mid-table, and next year to be competing for promotion. We

have given ourselves a target at the end of the season to have a

second 15 out for at least one game. What is behind it is for the

community to get behind us and for the rugby players do want to play

for their community club. There is one guaranteed way to get people

into the game, is to create heroes and stars, were people want to be

those players. That is why the professional game is so important,

not just to the finances of the Union and the clubs, but to the

grass roots. That is why we have made such a sustained effort and

put our investment into the professional teams. So, the quest

for World Cup glory, a desire to quote again from the bottom-up go

hand in hand. It is a bold target. People will say, winning the World

Cup isn't that an extraordinary dream? And as far as we're

concerned, that is we're in the business to be the best. You talk

to the players and coaches and they want to perform at that level. They

are not interested in coming joint 5th. These guys are winners. We

need to make sure that we as an organisation support them and give

them every opportunity to win the World Cup. Paul Lawrie and his

European Ryder Cup team mates are still basking in the glory of the

victory. His involvement is just another chapter in a long Scottish

tradition with the Ryder Cup. That tradition is about to get stronger.

There is nothing quite like it in sport. The first tee at the Ryder

Cup. It is spectacular. For all three defied years that has been

the case. There has been a Scottish dimension, tradition running deep,

and a tradition with the Ryder Cup coming to Gleneagles in two years,

We all know their history. A seed merchant called Samuel Ryder

donated a small golden trophy after British and American golfers played

the first recognised match at Gleneagles. Two years after the

first Ryder Cup, a man from Aberdeenshire lifted it. George

Duncan, the first winning captain from Europe in 1929. Since then a

succession of Scottish players have looked up the match. None more so

than this man. Bernard Gallacher stays calm and hammers Lee Trevino.

Bernard Gallacher, eight times a player, three times a captain.

get more nervous nowt watching the players playing. When you're

playing in the matches, you don't get nervous. You are young, in

control of your swing. At was much more nervous watching the players

as a captain and a was playing. greatest moment came in 1995,

leading you to victory at Oak Hill. His worst game a little closer to

home. Muirfield in 1973 is the only time Scotland has hosted the Ryder

Cup. He fell ill with food poisoning in a match America one.

40 years on, Muirfield is proud of its weak in the spotlight.

American team, so full of distinguished, famous names, were

going to come here. Would we give them a good game? Then, of course,

you begin to see the names in the paper, on the television, and

realise what is happening. This being the first time in Scotland,

but was a bit of pride and we began to really look forward to it.

Pretty spectacular, isn't it? The architecture makes the clubhouse

one of the most unique in world golf. Unique to is that MIDI neck

course. It is a monster. With this being the Ryder Cup, we have a

Scotsman to thank for that. A if it wasn't for the Scottish you

wouldn't have Nadina. Tom bundle was a great Scot. He came over in

the early 1920s and designed are two courses, then convinced the

owners of the course that we should have a third course, which is a

championship course, number three. Tommy are more was are pro in the

early 1940s. Celebrities came from all over the country to play with

him here. It now of course has even Paul Laurie's second Ryder Cup

appearance was memorable, certainly. The Aberdeen man playing a pivotal

role in one of sport's greatest comebacks. You little gem! I have

never seen him so excited. It feels pretty awesome. I am proud of the

team, but pretty proud of myself to perform like that under the utmost

pressure against a tough crowd. think Scottish golf, Scottish

golfers just like the Ryder Cup. Be like to pit against the best

players. It is in our DNA, I think. In the end, the most fantastic day

for Paul Lawrie and his European team-mates, overturning such a big

deficit to bring back the Ryder Cup. They will defend it in Gleneagles

in two years' time, an event that strengthens Scott Young's Ryder Cup

traditions. So will the Ryder Cup is coming to

Scotland in 2014. Another event is coming in two years' time, as well.

Glasgow is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games. Would it be

ready? We look ahead to the The summer of 2012 was very much a

golden one for Scottish athletes. As London put on an Olympic Games

to live long in the memory. But no sooner had the Olympic flame been

extinguished then 53 of those countries turn their attentions to

Scotland. That is because other clarion call made in India or in

2010. Now please allow me also to offer a warm invitation from the

City of Glasgow to the nation's, athletes and people of the

Commonwealth to come and join us in Now there are under two years to go

before the Commonwealth Games comes to the biggest city in Scotland.

get a home crowd. Nothing better than at home crowd. It is an

amazing opportunity for athletes and spectators. We have had

something further south and now something up north. We're so lucky

to be involved in the sport at that time with a home Olympic Games

followed by a Home Commonwealth Games. It is a huge motivation for

anyone involved in the sport. The group I am training with, we have,

fingers crossed, the World Championships next summer. Everyone

is thinking about competing in Glasgow. How our preparations going

in Glasgow? The venues are coming along beautifully. This arena is

absolutely fantastic. A number of venues open up in 2013. Glasgow has

a fantastic reputation already. Games infrastructure of a sleep

comes at a cost. The Budgett is �524 million. -- obviously comes.

We are doing very well. We're attacking far ahead of previous

Commonwealth Games. We are very confident. -- we are tracking. We

need to be working smarter. We are engaging a lot of sponsors. It is

how we chose procurement as well - to get the biggest bang for our

buck. As well as places to compete, the athletes need a place to sleep.

In the east end, work on the athletes village is another project

well under way. Does anyone know what is happening in July, 2014?

This woman is a former hockey player and veteran of five multi-

sports Games. She has been making sure the village will meet the high

standards expected for top-class athletes was dubbed I have been

fortunate to see around the village. -- athletes. The accommodation is

nice and spacious. That is great. When you are cooped up for 12 days,

it is nice to get the bit of space. That is important. Also, make sure

it is very close - the communities in the village. The athletes do not

have to walk too far to get to transport and the food will. The

length of the beds for example, they are the right length to

accommodate anyone. It is the details that are important. It is

not only Brooks and mortar that organisers have to get into place.

-- Brooks. Of the 16,000 workers, only 1000 will be paid. The rest

will be volunteers. This is the woman responsible for finding them.

It is a massive operation and it is fun as well. The volunteers will be

meeting and greeting people from across the world, he will be coming

to Glasgow, to watch the Commonwealth Games happen. The

volunteers will be the face of the Games. They're so important to us.

They have a Hart and soul of the Games. We want to ensure we recruit

3000 friendly faces. She was also a volunteer at the London Olympics.

As well as meeting Usain Bolt, she took weight other valuable

experiences. We have learnt from the London experience. -- took away.

The volunteers were recognised well in London. We will insure up Arab

volunteers feel like the most important people in the world.

ensure our volunteers. The face of Glasgow, 2014, will be Clyde, the

mascot. Where the you are an athlete, a spectator or the media,

we're looking forward to hosting people in Glasgow in Scotland in a

way that will be very memorable. We One of the Scottish stars of London

2012 was an unassuming young bloke called Scott brash. He was part of

the British team that won showjumping gold. We had been to

meet him and his incredible horse. The rolling countryside of the

Scottish Borders. A very private training ground. They did make

their way to London to take on the world. -- they would make. Imagine

there was huge excitement in the local community. -- I imagine.

guess so. They made a huge banner. The whole community has been

fantastic. # Here I am in London town, waiting

for the world to begin. His lie in Peebles is a lie away

from Greenwich Park with thousands of fans willing him on. I put the

pressure on the Dutch. He nicked off the second fence. It really put

the pressure on. The Dutch have to go quick and they had fences down.

He has kept his head. He is pretty quick. Is it quick enough? 48.01

with a four faults. I do not like coming second. A 1-2 win gold and

so did the others. We got stuck in. -- I wanted to win gold. Winning

gold somewhere else like Beijing or Sydney would be fantastic. It would

not love -- it would not be like London for Bath. It is a memory

Do you think you were in a bit of a days afterwards? You probably did

more media interviews then you have ever done. We had the good

celebration that night. -- a big celebration. How will this change

be lie? I hope it improves my pulling-power with women. -- change.

I am not going to lie. It is a bit of a babe magnet. I definitely

would encourage people to try and win one. Let's put it that way.

Enough said. Has he changed since he won a limpet gold? He thinks he

is a celebrity. -- Olympic gold. He knows he is a superstar. Up close,

he looks incredible. Remind us how much he is worth? The rumours were,

he was worth 2 million euros. I think, after the Games, might only

got a big bid for him - over double that from the Saudis. -- my own are

got. That is a great thing with top owners, they love the horse. They

do not want to sell him. That is great for me. Showjumping is a

funny sport. It is not just a bike or a tennis racket or feet for

football, we have another creature there. They can be very

unpredictable at times. That is what makes our sport so unique. It

means it can go up anyway. It depends how your horse will react

on the two -- on the day. I would imagine that Rio was a four-year

plan. They have just got another six-year-old horse for Rio.

Ultimately, I want to be world number one. I am going to target to

try and do that in the next four years. How far will you be able to

take Sanctus? Do you hope you will still be around for Rio? He will be

14 when Rio comes. It all depends what happens in his lifetime - if

he gets an injury. Things like that. Basically, if I look after him and

do not do a show every week or whatever with him. That is why we

have so many other horses so we can rest him and accused the other ones.

If I can look after him and keep him sound, he will sue -- he will

still be able to do Rio. Scotland watched with pride this summer as

Andy Murray won gold and won his It is a golden triumph for Andy

mammy! -- Andy Murray! There will never be a better time to invest in

tennis in Scotland. How do we captured the imagination of all

those kids who want to try tennis? We lost so many courts because they

were not being used. Now kids want to play, we have to look at

resurrecting and replacing them. Otherwise, where will the kids

play? He finished off like a champion that he is. The key for me

in growing the game in Scotland is investment in public facilities.

Not everybody wants to try out a new sport in a private club. Having

courts in the park or opening up schools to the wider community

seems to be the most obvious way to get new people into the game.

Murray. Never a man to take short cuts. Nor mum either. That is

really going to be the key. Everybody can try. Not only kids

but adults as well. The adults, parents in particular, will take

the kids down to play with them. They have been with him - building

him physically - supporting him. He shared a room with him when he was

the youngster. Agents, friends. Delighted to see his dad here.

have to invest in the stronger and bigger coaching work force all the

way across the country. A mean that from people who work in Parks and

schools. We need to invest in teachers. If we are going to

improve the level at entry level of the game, we will get better

players coming through, which will beat club teams and school teams

and we might be able to produce more champions. -- will feed. One

of the biggest challenges for our top young players is that there are

very few of them to start with and there are very few coaches.

Probably about two or three in the whole country, who actually

understand all the issues in terms of skill development and things

that the kids need to learn at the young age to have any chance of

surviving on a world Tour. We have a number of kids on the programme

who are world class, between the ages of 12 and 16. By the time they

are 14 and 15, we have run out of an environment for them in Scotland

and they need to look for a training base overseas, where they

can be independent and train outdoors in the sunshine, on

surfaces like clay. That costs money. It is like paying -- paying

to go to an expensive boarding school. The onus goes back on to

the parents. That is one of the things we would really like to see

changed. That is it for this programme. We are on radio every