YOUTH and sport organisations in the north east of Glasgow are celebrating after scooping grants worth £100,000.

Active East, a community based legacy project, has given small grants to 21 organisations for new physical activity provision and training.

The grants enable the organisations to give young people opportunities to be active in their community, which expands their skills and confidence.

The project has two strands - one is active champions, a volunteer programme for people aged 14 to 25 which is tailored to their interests in sport.

They also have a small grants strand which gives partner organisations access to funding.

This year 21 groups, including Glasgow Girls FC and Judo Scotland, have benefited from the funding of £99,323.23.

The aim is that these organisations will be stronger and have better resources to get more young people active and give them more volunteering opportunities.

Pavillion Youth Café, Barlanark Youth Club and Playbusters used the cash to come up with a sporting alternative to football and focused on parkour on Thursday evening sessions.

Parkour is running through an environ-ment using what is there as equipment to hurdle obstacles or manoeuvre around them. It can include gymnastics and break-dancing and teaches self control.

It has 54 young volunteers on board, who have delivered 6628 volunteer hours this year across their community.

Active East prog-ramme manager Kirsty Partridge said: "It's a unique and special opportunity we have been given, from helping young people deliver traditional sports to parkour and tricking.

"Next year we will be building on the success of this year and making sure that young people have the opportunity to try to participate in sporting activities in their communities.

"We will be linking with all of the big sporting events in the East of Glasgow, including the badminton and judo, and are also in talks with the Kiltwalk."

Active East itself has been given funding for another three years to create a legacy of the Commonwealth Games in the north east of Glasgow.

The Commonwealth Games saw volunteers from the project work-ing as Clydesiders at the closing ceremony and as baton bearers.

Active East is also hosting an awards evening at Celtic Park on December 5 to recreate some of the magic from the Games.

The awards will recognise the commit-ment and support young volunteers and partner organisations made.

The theme for the event is formal, but incorporating the four colours of the Commonwealth Games.

Ms Partridge said it felt like they had come 'full circle' as they had been at the rehearsal for the opening cere-mony at the stadium in July.

Eight awards will be given out including, Coach of the Year 2014.

The winners will receive a trophy while the runners up will be given medals.

Ms Partridge was proud of the Active Champions success.

She said: "Young people are changing their lives through their involvement in the programme."

sarah.cooper@ eveningtimes.co.uk