Scottish Rugby today (Tuesday 20 November) put its weight behind Lanarkshire's bid to host Scotland’s first International Children’s Games in four years’ time.   North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and New Lanarkshire Limited are bidding to host the Games – the largest youth sporting event in the world and regarded as the ‘Mini Olympics’ – in 2011, showcasing the Lanarkshire area on the world stage.   The Games would see more than 2,000 young athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 coming to Lanarkshire from over 70 countries to participate in the core sports of track and field and swimming and other potential sports such as football, badminton, golf, hockey, netball, tennis and rugby.   The Lanarkshire bid is one of three for the 2011 event, with strong competition coming from Singapore and Daegu in South Korea. Although confidence is high that Lanarkshire will be the host announced at next year’s Games in San Francisco in July, home-grown support for Lanarkshire 2011 – like that from Scottish Rugby – is vital.   Scottish Rugby Board Chairman, Allan Munro, said: “Scottish Rugby is delighted to support the bid by North and South Lanarkshire Councils in partnership with New Lanarkshire Limited.  The effort they are putting in to encourage sport at all levels, particularly, from our point of view, rugby, deserves to be recognised.   “We wish Lanarkshire every success in its attempt to replicate that energy on an international stage and trust the bid to host the 2011 International Children’s Games will hold sway over rival bids from Singapore and Daegu in South Korea.”      “Lanarkshire is a vibrant, dynamic and fabulous location with terrific facilities”, said Councillor Jim McCabe, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, "and I am delighted that this has been recognised by Scottish Rugby's backing for our bid. The Games complement the two councils' commitments to promoting and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles and will give our young sporting talent an opportunity to shine and these messages are also of importance to Scottish Rugby, so it's great to have their backing."   Councillor Eddie McAvoy, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "Lanarkshire's bid hinges on the community – as individuals and organisations – getting involved not just in backing the bid but in the Games themselves in 2011 as competitors, volunteers and spectators. I welcome the support of Scottish Rugby not only as an endorsement of the Lanarkshire bid but as a signal to rugby clubs and players across Lanarkshire and Scotland that the International Children's Games will be a significant international sporting event for this community and one well worth supporting."   Ian Livingstone, Chairman of New Lanarkshire Limited added: "I am delighted with the progress of the Lanarkshire bid through the strong partnership working by North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and New Lanarkshire Limited.  It is vitally important to progress with a partnership approach and I warmly welcome new potential supporters to the Lanarkshire bid as host of the International Children's Games in 2011."   The outcome of Lanarkshire's bid will be announced at the 2008 International Children's Games in San Francisco in July.   ends