Tag: Sport

Inverleith aiming for European pétanque glory!

Inverleith Pétanque Club will fly the flag for Scotland at the 28th European Cup in France in November.

The Edinburgh outfit locked horns with Newtongrange, Perth and Fochabers in the EuroCup qualifiers at Carnoustie at the weekend for the right to represent Scotland at the major continental tournament, which brings together top club teams from across Europe.

After a tense two days of competition at Auld Alliance Park, Inverleith came out in a head-to-head decider against Fochabers and will now prepare to travel to Sin-Le-Noble, Douai in the north of France where they will take on the cream of Europe from 5-8 November.

Shena Whelan, Treasurer of Inverleith, said: “The IPC team, and the whole of Inverleith Pétanque Club, are extremely proud to have the opportunity to be representing Scotland again at the European Cup for Clubs (‘Eurocup’) in Douai, France in November. 

“It was a hard-fought win against formidable clubs we consider to be our friends. Thanks must go to Carnoustie Pétanque Club for hosting and supporting us all over two long days of play in the Eurocup qualifier.”

Scottish Pétanque Association (SPA) president David Moxham said: “Congratulations to Inverleith, who now carry Scotland’s colours to France in November.

“It was a terrific weekend of competition and it was fitting it all came down the final two games.

“Beyond the competition itself, the weekend showed clubs coming together to support national pétanque. 

“Carnoustie Pétanque Club provided a warm welcome, with players, coaches and officials well looked after throughout. The club’s home on the old curling rink at Maule Street – the Auld Alliance Park – provided a distinctive setting for the qualifier, and the SPA thanks everyone at Carnoustie who gave their time and effort to hosting the event.”

Colin Sinclair, Carnoustie Pétanque Club chairperson, said it was a real honour to be asked to host this important event in the SPA calendar: “Our committee and members got enthusiastically involved in helping plan the event, and in return were treated to a very high standard of play that we hope to aspire to.

“We were very grateful to both Carnoustie Gala committee and Carnoustie Bowling Club for the use of equipment and facilities. The event ran very smoothly and positive feedback was received from both the SPA and the clubs involved.”

Anyone in the local area interested in trying out Pétanque, can contact the club for more details by emailing carnoustiepetanqueclub@gmail.com.

£857,000 investment creates sport and physical activity opportunities for Edinburgh’s young people

Children and young people aged three to 26 will be able to take part in a range of free and low-cost activities thanks to funding from the Summer of Sport initiative in partnership with sportscotland.

Inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the programme aims to encourage more children and young people to get active, try new sports and enjoy the physical, social, and mental wellbeing benefits of participation.

Delivered by the Council, Edinburgh Leisure, the University of Edinburgh, local sports clubs and community organisations, the funding supports free and subsidised holiday and regular activities that began during the summer holidays and are taking place until the end of March 2027.

This includes swimming, tennis, football, rugby and opportunities for children and young people with additional support needs. It will also expand community sport programmes, provide more opportunities in areas experiencing higher levels of poverty, and support young people who are care experienced, unaccompanied, or learning English.

Investment will also help develop the city’s sport and physical activity workforce through new coaching opportunities, qualifications, and training. The investment includes a £170,000 grant for local sports clubs and community organisations to deliver activities for young people at greater risk of poverty.

Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “This is a great opportunity for children and young people to get active, try something new like lawn bowling or cricket and enjoy the benefits of taking part in sport.

“Through the Summer of Sport programme, we’re working with partners across Edinburgh to provide more free and affordable opportunities that are inclusive, accessible, and shaped around the needs of local communities.

“This investment will help more young people take part in sport, while also strengthening local partnerships, developing skills and creating a lasting legacy beyond the summer.”

Cllr James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to be active, build confidence and develop new skills, and cost shouldn’t be a barrier to that.

“By working with schools, community organisations, and sports clubs across Edinburgh, we’re creating more opportunities for children and young people to stay active, make new friends and discover sports they can continue to enjoy for years to come.”

Perrotine Orr, Operations Director of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “This investment is helping us create more opportunities for children and young people across Edinburgh to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“We have already seen strong engagement throughout the summer, and the real opportunity now is to build on that momentum over the coming months.

“By continuing to provide free and affordable activities until March 2027, we can help more young people develop confidence, make connections, improve their wellbeing and establish healthy habits that last a lifetime.”

Further information about activities and how to take part will be available on the Council website and the Edinburgh Leisure website.

Backing Scotland’s future football stars

World Cup Fund investment launched

Scotland’s future football stars will benefit from a £500,000 World Cup Fund officially launched by First Minister John Swinney during a visit to Barclays Hampden.

The fund will support a three-year programme delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA to strengthen elite youth development pathways for boys and girls across Scotland.

The programme will provide specialist support to clubs within the boys’ Club Academy Scotland – the national programme for developing young talent at club level – and girls’ Next Gen pathways, enhance player development opportunities and expand the use of performance insights and innovation across the game.

During the visit, the First Minister met young players, coaches and Scottish FA representatives to hear how the investment will help develop talent and support the next generation of Scotland internationals.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup reminded us all of what can be achieved through talent, hard work and ambition. Sport and physical activity can transform lives, and we want to support the next generation of talent in Scottish football.

“Alongside our £20 million Summer of Sport programme to get children and young people active, this World Cup Fund builds on that momentum by investing in the young people who could represent Scotland in years ahead and delivers on my commitment made for the Scottish Government’s first 100 days.

“Supporting both boys’ and girls’ pathways, this investment will help create more opportunities for talented young people, strengthen clubs and support the long-term future of Scottish football.”

Scottish FA’s Chief Football Officer, Craig Mulholland, said: “Scotland was gripped by our return to the World Cup stage this summer, and it united a nation in a way no other event can do.

“It had been too long, and our job is to make sure it’s a regular occurrence.

“We are delighted with the investment and support from the Scottish Government, on the back of their excellent Summer of Sport programme.

“This initiative aligns fully with our Scottish FA strategy. We will take a bespoke, creative, and innovative approach to supporting our club network through Club Academy Scotland, for our boys, and our girls’ Barclays NextGen pathways. Helping our clubs grow in a modern way, using objective insights that will significantly enhance the offering to young Scottish talent – creating better players and coaches.

“We need our young people in Scotland to have ambition and aspire to follow in the footsteps of the exceptional role models we have, such as Andy Robertson and Caroline Weir. Our task, working with the Scottish Government, is to provide the best environment for these dreams to be realised.

“In addition, the wider benefits of football – to the individual, families, communities, and country in general – are apparent.

“We need to harness the power of football, on and off the pitch.”

The £500,000 investment is part of a three-year programme, delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, running from 2026-2029.

The Scottish Government will invest £500,000, with the Scottish FA contributing a further £85,000.

Caledonia Gladiators launch 2026/27 fixtures with greater value for fans

Scotland’s professional basketball club, Caledonia Gladiators, is encouraging fans to secure their seats for the 2026/27 season, with Season Tickets now offering greater value than ever across both the men’s and women’s teams.

Fixtures are now confirmed with the Gladiators returning to East Kilbride this September for their fourth season at the 1,600-capacity Arena at Playsport, with the new campaign bringing another season of top-level basketball to Scotland.

With players travelling from as far as the US and as close to home as Falkirk, fans can secure their place at every home game through a Season Ticket, with packages designed to make following the Gladiators throughout the season more accessible.

Season Tickets for the women’s team start from just £115, while men’s Season Tickets start from £280. Junior Season Tickets are available from £54, while families can follow the women’s team for £284 for a family of four, with a family Season Ticket for the men’s team available for £625.

The value-led pricing comes as the Gladiators continue to see their fanbase grow across both teams. Following the women’s historic campaign at the Playoff Finals earlier this year, Season Ticket sales for women’s games have already increased by 20%, highlighting the growing appetite for women’s basketball and the momentum behind the club.

Season Ticket holders become part of the new and exclusive Courtside Club to benefit from a host of exclusive perks, including a guaranteed seat at every home game, discounts, exclusive access to players, discounts with club partners and more.

Tony McDaid, CEO of Caledonia Gladiators, said: “We want to make following the Gladiators for the season as accessible and rewarding as possible, whether you’re a long-time supporter, a family coming to basketball for the first time or a fan who wants to make sure they never miss a game.

“We’ve introduced a new Season Ticket structure that we believe offers fantastic value across both our men’s and women’s teams, while giving supporters the chance to be part of everything we are building here in Scotland.

“In particular, we know how important families are to our club, so being able to offer junior Season Tickets from just £54 and family packages that make watching live basketball more affordable is something we’re really pleased to introduce.

“Our ambition is to build a basketball nation and our supporters are at the heart of that. A Season Ticket is more than just a seat – it’s the opportunity to be there for the big moments, support our players and be part of the Gladiators community throughout the season.”

Caledonia Gladiators will officially return to the court on 20 September 2026 at 4pm for the 2026/27 Season Opener, with the men taking on Super League Basketball’s newest team, Liverpool Basketball, for the first time.

With fixtures now confirmed, fans can secure their Season Tickets now and guarantee their seat for the campaign, while benefiting from the club’s new value-led pricing structure.

Season Tickets and individual game tickets are available now at:

caledoniagladiators.com.

Edinburgh Leisure opens applications for Talented Athlete Support Scheme

Talented local athletes can apply for free access to Edinburgh Leisure facilities to support their training and development

Following an inspiring summer of sport and the excitement of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh Leisure is encouraging talented athletes across the capital to apply for the Edinburgh Talented Athlete Support Scheme (ETASS), which provides free access to facilities to support their training, recovery and development.

Delivered annually in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Scottish Institute of Sport Network (SISN), ETASS helps reduce some of the practical barriers linked to performance sport.

Applications for the 2026/27 intake are now open and available until the 31 August.

Packed arenas, standout performances and stories of determination at this year’s Commonwealth Games highlighted the positive role sport can play in people’s lives. Edinburgh Leisure hopes that energy will encourage more talented athletes in Edinburgh to pursue their ambitions, with ETASS helping to make the facilities needed to train, recover and develop more accessible.

Angela McCowan, Sports Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Watching athletes compete on a major stage can be incredibly inspiring, especially for young people and emerging athletes who see what is possible through hard work, support and opportunity.

“The Commonwealth Games may have come to an end, but the impact they leave behind can last much longer. Through ETASS, we want to help talented athletes across Edinburgh take the next step by giving them access to facilities that can make a real difference to their development.”

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young and aspiring athletes to develop their skills in Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city.

“The Commonwealth Games will no doubt have been a source of inspiration, in particular Edinburgh’s own gold medal-winner and record holder Josh Kerr.

“By nurturing emerging talent like this the Edinburgh Talented Athlete Support Scheme is helping to encourage the Capital’s next generation of sporting stars.”

Successful applicants will be able to use Edinburgh Leisure gyms, swimming pools and athletics tracks to support key areas of their training, including strength and conditioning, endurance work, recovery and rehabilitation.

Athletes interested in applying can find full details, eligibility criteria and application information on the Edinburgh Leisure website.

To learn more and apply, visit: Edinburgh Talented Athlete Support Scheme

New Zealand Team gifts silver fern to Glasgow as living legacy of 2026 Commonwealth Games

A silver fern gifted by the New Zealand Team is to take root at Glasgow Botanic Gardens as a lasting symbol of friendship between Glasgow and Aotearoa New Zealand during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The fern was formally presented to the Lord Provost of Glasgow at Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens on day eight of competition of the Games, which is bringing athletes, teams, visitors and supporters from across the Commonwealth to Glasgow.

The gift was made by Te Kapa o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Team, whose New Zealand House has been based nearby at Òran Mór throughout the Games.

The fern and accompanying plaque recognises the warm welcome extended by Glasgow and create a legacy for residents and visitors to enjoy when visiting the iconic Victorian glasshouse.

The plaque reads:

‘During the Games, New Zealand House stood across the road at Òran Mór, where Glasgow welcomed us with warmth and generosity.

‘This fern stands as a living symbol of friendship, unity and shared pride between Aotearoa New Zealand and Scotland.

Ko Tātou Katoa – The Fern is All of Us.’

The fern is an Alsophila dealbata, also known as Cyathea dealbata or ponga, by the Maoris. The silver fern is deeply associated with New Zealand sporting teams and is recognised as a symbol of New Zealand national identity.

It has been planted in the centre of the Kibble Palace glasshouse, home to an internationally significant collection and the Plant Heritage UK National Collection of tree ferns, alongside existing silver ferns that have already grown to more than ten feet high.

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Cllr Jacqueline McLaren, said; “This is a thoughtful and generous gift from the New Zealand Team and a beautiful reminder of the friendships being formed in Glasgow through the Commonwealth Games.

“The silver fern will be a living legacy of these Games and of the warm relationship between Scotland and Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Nicki Nicol, CEO, New Zealand Olympic Committee, said; “This Silver Fern is a small gesture of thanks for the warmth and generosity Glasgow has shown the New Zealand Team throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“We wanted to leave something lasting that reflects the friendship we’ve shared and the connections formed during our time here.

“As a symbol that is deeply important to New Zealanders, we hope this fern stands as a reminder of the bond between our nations and the New Zealand Team for many years to come.”

New Zealand have put in a solid performance during the Games with a tally of more than 20 medals so far before competition comes in an end today – Sunday 2 August.

Swinney: FM: Glasgow Games have shown Scotland at its best

Lasting impact and legacy of inclusivity and innovation

First Minister John Swinney has praised the success of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and said its legacy will be long-lasting and far reaching.

The First Minister paid tribute to people in Glasgow and across Scotland for embracing the Games, welcoming visiting nations and celebrating inclusivity.

He said the 2026 Games had ‘set a new standard’ for the future through innovative approaches and thanked everyone involved in delivering an outstanding event.

Speaking ahead of attending the Closing Ceremony at the Ovo Hydro, the First Minister commented: “The success of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has shown Scotland at its very best. We have welcomed athletes and supporters from the 74 nations and come together in an outstanding celebration of sport and diversity.

“We have enjoyed watching athletes competing at the highest level, breaking records and inspiring many of us to take part in sporting activities ourselves. The 2026 Games will leave a positive legacy of vital infrastructure upgrades to sporting facilities which will benefit individuals, communities and clubs in Glasgow, particularly at the grassroots level.

“People who have travelled to Scotland for the Games have experienced our world-class hospitality, which has been an excellent boost for our tourism sector and wider economy.

“It was only possible with Glasgow stepping in at short notice that we’ve been able to protect this special event. The reimagined model of these Games will help them continue into the future, creating hosting opportunities for other Commonwealth countries – with a focus on inclusivity and innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact.

“Scotland continues to demonstrate its strength as a host of major international sporting events, with the Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh in 2027, and UEFA EURO 2028, which we will co-host.”

Those bloomin’ hurdles are too high!

“It’s not fair! Those hurdles are way too high!”, says former Olympic and Commonwealth athlete Catherine Chiwakwa Chunda, as the athletics events kick off in Glasgow.

Catherine represented her home nation of Malawi in the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the Commonwealth Games and now calls Scotland home. The former long-distance runner says action is needed to fix the unfair debts faced by one in three Commonwealth nations.  

She’s now working with SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, and they set up a hurdles race to highlight the issue. 

She said: “Commonwealth countries like my homeland of Malawi face the constant hurdle of debt and it’s getting worse every year. They need to pay debts back at a much higher rate, meaning there’s little left to spend on things like health and education. 

“For those representing rich countries like Scotland and England, the hurdles were tiny. No problem to overcome.   

“The hurdles represent unjust debt. And it’s not hard to imagine what happened: higher hurdles for many of SCIAF’s partner countries made it impossible to run a fair race.   

“Removing obstacles for countries like Malawi and Zambia so they can use the money they have to get more children into school, access to healthcare and ensure families get support to have food on the table, is vital.”  

Children Invited to Try Surfing for Free This Summer

Scottish Surfing and Lost Shore are investing in the future of the sport

With Scotland preparing to welcome the Commonwealth Games this summer, Scottish Surfing and Lost Shore are encouraging children to discover a sport that could inspire the country’s next generation of athletes. 

Children across Scotland are being invited to catch their very first wave this summer, with Scottish Surfing offering free beginner surf lessons at Lost Shore Surf Resort as part of SportScotland’s ‘Summer of Sport’ campaign.

Research increasingly highlights surfing’s positive impact on physical fitness, confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing, making it an ideal activity for young people during the school holidays. 

The free sessions are taking place on Sunday 26th July and Sunday 2nd August from 10.30am, at Europe’s largest inland surf destination Lost Shore Surf Resort, located just outside Edinburgh.

Open to primary and secondary school children aged seven and over, the sessions give young people the opportunity to experience surfing in a safe, fun and supportive environment completely free of charge.

Delivered through Scottish Surfing’s Catch the Wave programme, the initiative is designed to widen participation in surfing, introduce young people to the sport at an early age and help build Scotland’s future surfing community .

Participants will receive expert coaching from qualified instructors, all surfing equipment and wetsuits, followed by lunch to refuel after their time in the wave pool.

SportScotland’s Summer of Sport is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage children and young people to get active, try new sports and enjoy positive experiences during the school holidays.

Mark Boyd, from Scottish Surfing, said: “Catch the Wave is all about giving young people the opportunity to experience surfing for the first time, regardless of their background or previous experience. We know that trying something new can be life-changing, helping build confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of being active.

“Working alongside Lost Shore gives us an incredible venue where children can learn in a safe and controlled environment with expert coaching and guaranteed waves. We’re proud to be part of Summer of Sport and hope this inspires even more young people to discover everything surfing has to offer.”

Lee Wood, Managing Director of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “One of the reasons Lost Shore was created was to give more people the opportunity to experience surfing, regardless of where they live or whether they’ve ever stepped into the sea. These sessions are exactly what that vision is about.” 

“The sessions build on Lost Shore’s growing programme of community initiatives, schools engagement and youth development activities designed to make surfing more accessible across Scotland.”

Lost Shore’s consistent, controlled waves provide an ideal environment for first-time surfers, allowing children to build confidence without the unpredictability of the open sea. Every participant will be supported by experienced coaches throughout the session, with all equipment provided.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance. For more information about the Catch the Wave programme and to register for a free place, visit scottishsurfing.scot/catch-the-wave. 

To explore other surf opportunities including lessons and kids camps at Lost Shore Surf Resort visit www.lostshore.com and Scottish Surfing members can take advantage of a 20% discount.