.......in a recent bbc Scotland research study that was orchestrated by John Beattie and covered over 700 sponsored participants such as athletes, cyclists, rowers/sailing, curlers, shooters, swimmers etc. Some of these elite sports people refused to participate and that's fine under a right of privacy. The required info covered their personal profile and educational background and that info can be gleaned by other means anyway. The eventual results are unsurprising to me but they may surprise other interested readers:-
1. 20% of this elite sports group of people came from fee paying schools - heed the fact that this category of privileged individual covers a minute 3% of the total Scottish population of kids at any time!
2. 70% of this elite group came from state schools in wealthier areas of Scotland.
3. So the remaining 10% of this group covered opportunities for the biggest population of our up n coming new young talent in Scotland.
Conclusion: Equal opportunities for all is just a myth and it's clear that wealth plays a big part in monopolising these opps for a 'select few' who stand to 'climb up the achievement ladder' and reap a sponsorship benefit in front of others who prob could compete at the same level if given a proper chance and are encouraged to do so.
I suspect this 'imbalance' would be similarly revealed in England if such a research study was carried out. Is it fair and right? IMO absolutely not esp in a small country like Scotland where all our young kids should be given every chance to excel!!
1. 20% of this elite sports group of people came from fee paying schools - heed the fact that this category of privileged individual covers a minute 3% of the total Scottish population of kids at any time!
2. 70% of this elite group came from state schools in wealthier areas of Scotland.
3. So the remaining 10% of this group covered opportunities for the biggest population of our up n coming new young talent in Scotland.
Conclusion: Equal opportunities for all is just a myth and it's clear that wealth plays a big part in monopolising these opps for a 'select few' who stand to 'climb up the achievement ladder' and reap a sponsorship benefit in front of others who prob could compete at the same level if given a proper chance and are encouraged to do so.
I suspect this 'imbalance' would be similarly revealed in England if such a research study was carried out. Is it fair and right? IMO absolutely not esp in a small country like Scotland where all our young kids should be given every chance to excel!!