Lynne hopes new Oriam centre will hand sport a massive boost

Lynne, the Team GB handball captain at the London Olympics in 2012, joined representatives from two other sports to launch a partnership agreement with the operators of the new Oriam centre in Edinburgh which is scheduled to be completed later this year.

And after signing on the dotted line - along with Glasgow Rocks basketball captain Kieron Achara and netball star Jo Pettit, she said she believes being able to take advantage of the facilities at Oriam will play a big part in the growth of handball in Scotland.

She said: “Our partnership with Oriam shows how far we have progressed in the last four years with our young players.

“It will provide an important base for them to continue their development.

“It was a great experience to be involved in the London 2012 Olympics and see the increased interest in handball. It’s important for our sport to take advantage and build on this.”

The contracts signed by the Scottish Handball Association, Basketball Scotland and Netball Scotland mean they will be able to use the facility for national training and events from its launch in August.

And to celebrate the announcement the three international stars made the trip to Edinburgh to see the impressive site at the Heriot-Watt University campus for themselves.

The aim of Oriam is to provide Scotland’s top sportsmen and women with the facilities, access and support services pivotal for successful performance on the international stage.

Once completed, the multi-sport centre will include a full-sized indoor pitch with seating for 500 spectators, top-level grass and synthetic outdoor pitches, a high performance strength and conditioning centre, a high performance medical centre and hydrotherapy pool, fitness centres and studios, a 12-court sports hall with 300 seats and various support services.

Catriona McAllister, Oriam’s Chief Executive, said: “Not only will Oriam be home to high performance athletes, such as Kieron, Lynn and Jo, but it will also be a centre for everybody in the nation.

“Schools, community clubs and Heriot Watt students will all benefit from the high-performance facility, as will performance teams and athletes in a wide range of sports.

“This facility meets and exceeds the expectations of everybody who comes to visit. It’s just what Scotland needs.”