AN East End sports hub scored a winning goal when nearly 400 children from local primary schools had a chance to sample a variety of activities.

The youngsters enjoyed taster sessions of football, netball, basketball and hurling.

The club roadshow event for pupils from Wellshot, Quarry Brae, Thorntree and Eastbank primaries is a key component of SportScotland's contribution to the Scottish Government's 2014 legacy plan.

Based in club pavilions, sports centres, community centres and schools, the events bring local people together and provide a home for the sports organisations.

They also provide information, support and advice on activities.

With 131 community sports hubs already up-and-running across Scotland, SportScotland is working with Glasgow Life on the eight planned for the city, with each at a different stage of its development.

James Steel, SportScotland's lead manager for community sport hubs, said: "This was a fantastic event. As a hub which has been formed relatively recently, it is wonderful to see the clubs engaging with the community to increase the number of people participating in sport.

"Each hub will continue to develop, with the chance for more clubs to become part of them.

"SportScotland is continuing to invest £1.5 million of Lottery funding each year into developing at least 150 hubs across all 32 local authorities by 2016.

"With 131 established, we are on our way to achieving this target."

The clubs which are part of Eastbank Community Sport Hub are Eastbank Netball, Glasgow City Basketball, Budhill Football Academy and Tir Connail Harps.

Each club delivered taster sessions yesterday, giving pupils the chance to try their hand at all of the sports on offer.

Iain McGregor, Glasgow Life sport development officer, who is helping to establish hubs across the city, said: "It was a great day for the clubs and pupils.

"The roadshow has helped to improve the club's links with the schools and given the clubs a stronger presence in the community.

"Now children have had a chance to take part in new sports, the aim is to see some of them come along to the hub and start taking part in sport on a regular basis."

The work of the hubs is vital in increasing the number of people participating in sport, according to Keith Russell, Glasgow Life's head of sport.

David Martin, Glasgow's co-ordinator, said: "Eastbank has helped strengthen the development of sport in the East End, providing a platform from which we can support our development targets of improving clubs, strengthening coaches, increasing physical activity in our communities."

Evening Times Active 2014 aims to improve the health of Scots in the year of the Commonwealth Games and build a legacy of physical wellbeing.

Working with partners Glasgow Life, SportScotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde we'll be creating opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses to get active as we bid to improve the health of as many people as possible in the community.

The message is simple: even a small change in lifestyle can make a huge improvement in health.

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk