THE benefits of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are continuing to be felt, four years on.

The number of Community Sports Hubs in Scotland is at an all-time high of 192.

A programme to grow sport in the community was launched by sportscotland in 2011.

The National Lottery funded programme has seen 192 in operation with 158, 488 playing members in 1,303 clubs.

The numbers have risen significantly over the last five years as sportscotland and wider sporting networks continue to work towards increasing participation across the country.

Every hub in the network works to grow participation, engage the local community, promote community leadership, offer a range of sporting opportunities and bring key groups together.

Sport Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: "Over the past five years we have invested in growing Community Sports Hubs across Scotland and this is reflected in the 192 we now have.

"These facilities and the hard-working staff and volunteers at them play an important role in the lives of communities throughout the country.

“As Sport Minister I have seen first-hand numerous examples of the great work at hubs that are providing more and better opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport and physical activity. Support for community sport hubs is key to our vision for a more active Scotland, supporting our aim to reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030.”

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, believes the impact of the CSH programme will be felt for years to come thanks to the hard work of those at a community level including volunteers.

He said: “Sport has the power to change lives and we are seeing that in day in and day out in local communities thanks to programmes such as community sport hubs.

"We want to deliver a system for sport in Scotland that is world class and that provides opportunities for everyone to take part in sport and achieve their goals, whatever level that represents. That is why the work of hubs is so important.

“Across the country hubs are providing more and better opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport.

"We have made great strides in this area and will continue to work with our partners in the months and years ahead to ensure that we help build a Scotland, where sport is a way of life.”