Edinburgh Leisure’s popular action attraction, Clip‘n’Climb at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA): Ratho is getting an exciting refresh this December, introducing five brand-new climbing elements designed to push your limits and keep the fun flowing.
From today – Friday 12th December – visitors can experience the ultimate vertical playground with these new additions:
Constructor
Zig Zag
Champion Lead
Hexed (replacing Orbital)
Jungle Vines (replacing Dry Ice)
These innovative challenges replace older features and promise fresh excitement for climbers of all ages. The upgrade will increase capacity from 20 to 22 climbers per session, ensuring Clip ‘n’ Climb remains one of Edinburgh’s most thrilling family attractions. Edinburgh Leisure has partnered with EP Climbing (Entr-Prises) to deliver this exciting transformation.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com
Vicky Harper, Manager at EICA: Ratho, said: “The Vertical Drop Slide, is being replaced, and we’re installing three new elements in its place.
“The other two new elements will take us from 15 to 18 unique challenges and from 19 lines and a vertical drop slide to 22 lines Each one offers something different – whether you’re tackling the honeycomb-inspired Hexed or testing your balance on Jungle Vines.
“This refresh keeps the experience exciting for our regular visitors and gives newcomers even more reasons to come and climb. It’s all about fun, fitness, and facing your fears in a safe environment. Clip ‘n Climb is a fantastic way to spark an interest in climbing and a great activity to entertain the kids.”
No previous climbing experience is necessary, and the activity is suitable for children aged 4 years and up as well as adults. Clip ‘n Climb is open Friday to Sunday, and during the school holidays, with sessions lasting 55 minutes.
Prices are £17.25 per child and £20.75 per adult.
For those looking for a thrilling, private adventure for a group, exclusive group bookings and party packages are available, including catering options.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com
EICA: Ratho is Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena and a true destination venue. Located just outside Edinburgh, it offers something for everyone – from world-class climbing and bouldering walls to Scrambles soft play, a welcoming café, fitness facilities and free parking.
With the recent opening of Lost Shore Surf Resort nearby, EICA: Ratho is the perfect spot for an action-packed day out for families, friends, and adventure seekers.
Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park, and Easter Road Stadium – home of Hibernian Football Club – have been included as proposed venues in the UK’s formal bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.
The application, under the banner of ‘All Together’, reflects the partnership of the four countries involved in the proposal.
The bid includes 22 proposed stadiums – 16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland – across 16 host cities. With 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, it would be the most accessible tournament ever.
A joint statement from the four respective CEOs – including the Scottish FA’s Ian Maxwell – said: “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a huge privilege for our four home nations. If we are successful, the 2035 tournament will be the biggest single-sport event held on UK soil, with 4.5 million tickets available for fans.
“We are proud of the growth that we’ve driven in recent years across the women’s and girls’ game but there is still so much more growth to come, and this event will play a key role in helping us deliver that.
“Working together with FIFA, a Women’s World Cup in the UK has the power to turbo-charge the women’s and girls’ game both in the UK and globally. Our bid also demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy, in the run-up to 2035, and the years afterwards.
“Together, we want to welcome the world to the UK to celebrate and enjoy an unforgettable tournament.”
The 22 proposed stadiums offer a blend of heritage, cutting-edge innovation and elite operational excellence that will be ready to deliver exceptional FIFA-compliant facilities. The 16 host cities provide a network of extensive infrastructure, ample accommodation, efficient transportation and culture.
The tournament would involve 104 matches contested by 48 teams over 39 days, with 48 team base camp training sites, 82 venue-specific training sites and 32 FIFA Fan Festival Sites proposed.
Passionate fans, strong media reach and innovative digital engagement not only ensure that this would be a successful tournament, but also provide a transformational commercial opportunity for global growth and reinvestment in the women’s game for the benefit of the wider FIFA family.
The four nations are committed to leaving a lasting legacy that will be delivered via three key pillars:
Participation: Increase access locally and worldwide, focusing on under-represented communities.
Leadership: Empower women in leadership; double female officials by 2035; and deliver global mentoring and education programmes.
Commercial growth: Transform the game’s commercial potential; attract new fans and partners; and reinvest revenues into grassroots and elite pathways.
Aston Villa and Scotland star John McGinn is calling for greater awareness and acceptance of children who wear glasses or protective goggles whilst playing football – inspired by his young nephew, Jack.
McGinn’s now-famous ‘goggles celebration’ began as a personal gesture of support for Jack, who was found to have poor eyesight at the age of four and needs to wear glasses daily, and goggles to play football.
‘Jack is my first-born nephew, and he was really upset when he had his eyes tested at first,’ McGinn explains.
‘He didn’t want to be different from the others,’ says John. ‘As a wee bit of support, I said I’d do the goggles celebration. I didn’t manage to score at the Euros, so the first time I did it was a few months later for Aston Villa. He was absolutely over the moon.’
What started as a small gesture quickly turned into something much bigger – a movement helping children around the world feel confident wearing their glasses or goggles with pride.
John – who has just renegotiated his contract with Aston Villa until 2028 – believes playing in the English Premier League has given the celebration a global platform, raising awareness that eyesight challenges shouldn’t prevent children from enjoying sport.
‘My celebration gave Jack so much confidence to wear the goggles,” John explains. “He now plays for a little club called Glenvale and all his teammates know Jack is the reason why I do the celebration.
‘It makes him more comfortable to wear them – and for all children with eyesight issues, you shouldn’t be made to feel different.’
McGinn says he has been overwhelmed by the global response from parents and young players, receiving messages from across the world thanking him for raising awareness.
‘I think it’s amazing, I love being able to be a positive role model. Having an impact on so many kids around the world is a huge reason and motivation to do it. For me, it’s a huge part of my game now and something I’ll keep doing for the rest of my career,’ John adds.
Super John McGinn also highlighted the importance of safety when it comes to protective eyewear in sport.
‘The risk of a ball hitting a child wearing glasses is huge. Goggles protect their eyes, and with the technology available now, there’s no reason any child should feel uncomfortable wearing them. It’s about safety, comfort, and enjoyment,’ McGinn explains.
The 31-year-old hopes he can encourage parents to have their children’s eyesight checked regularly – and that more players will help normalise goggles on the pitch.
He explains that good eyesight is essential in football – being able to see a defender in your peripheral vision or spot a teammate making a run can be the difference in a game.
‘It’s great to see players like Andrew Tod in the Scottish Championship wearing goggles and doing their own celebration. There should be more positive messages around glasses and goggles,’ says McGinn.
Jenny Stephenson, chairperson for Specsavers Scotland, says: ‘John’s story is an inspiration to children across the world, and the very reason Specsavers works so closely with the Scottish FA – it underpins everything we do as opticians.’
Specsavers is supporting young athletes by offering a discount on prescription sports goggles for club players under the age of 18. The initiative aims to promote safety and confidence by offering 10 percent off goggles.
Jenny continues: ‘The new sports goggles campaign is about more than vision – it’s about confidence and inclusion. We want young players and their parents to see sports goggles as a normal, affordable and essential part of the game, so no child ever feels held back from playing the sport they love.
‘Parents can be reassured by Specsavers’ care and expertise, while players can focus on performance – knowing their eyewear is safe, durable and designed for the demands of football.’
John concludes: ‘I would encourage everyone to make sure they’re getting their eyes tested as frequently as possible. The earlier you find out about any issues the better.
‘Hopefully one day Jack’s out there playing at Hampden for Scotland wearing the goggles – that would be the McGinn legacy.’
Specsavers, the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, brought Scotland icon Rose Reilly and current star Lee Gibson together to reflect on how far the women’s game has come.
Approaching the anniversary of the first Scotland-England women’s international football match, Rose and Lee compared their careers and explored how modern ways have changed the experiences of women and girls involved in football.
Scotland and England faced off for the first time in the women’s game at Ravenscraig Stadium in Greenock, back in November 1972.
Exactly 53 years on, much has changed since the Auld Enemy ran out 3-2 winners against the Scots, and no one is better placed to discuss it than Scottish trailblazer, Rose Reilly.
Rose Reilly, 70, played in the game and scored Scotland’s second as a fresh faced 17-year-old.
In pursuit of more opportunities to play the beautiful game, Reilly headed to Italy where she played most of her club career for the likes of AC Milan, Napoli and Bari whilst making 14 appearances for the Italian National team.
Nowadays, Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Gibson is Scotland’s No 1 as the women’s game continues to grow in scale and popularity across the country.
The 34-year-old has seen the game progress in her near-20 years as a professional and she sat down to pick Rose Reilly’s brains on how far things have really come in over five decades.
Rose Reilly says: ‘Wearing a Scotland shirt for the first time, a wee bit homemade but it was a Scotland strip, getting piped out, that’s when your heart beats really fast.
‘We never took no for an answer and that was essential for the growth of the game in Scotland, but we’ve got here and I’m proud of the girls playing nowadays.
‘I’m just the spokesperson for the other ladies playing in that game and the whole league at the time. A lot of them aren’t with us anymore so great credit to the other women of Scotland.’
Rose adds: ‘The biggest change is that you’re professional footballers now. I had to change my country and go to Italy to become a professional footballer.
‘That was my dream, so I first went off to play for Stade de Reims in France and then AC Milan playing in the majestic San Siro.
‘It was massive for me, but I just closed my eyes and said, ‘Rose it’s only two goal posts and a ball just like back in Stewarton’.’
Rose Reilly flipped the script and asked Lee Gibson what it’s like to be a Scotland player in the modern age.
Lee says: ‘It’s a joy. I’ve been really fortunate to be involved now for quite a number of years.
‘It’s the biggest honour and it’s always something that, as soon as you get the phone call, you’re just delighted to come away, and I’ve been really fortunate to play with some of my close friends. We’ve almost grown up together.
‘It’s changed a lot even for me growing up, I was born in the 90s and you played mostly with boys because we didn’t have the same opportunities, but we do now.
‘It’s certainly changed days, you go to games and it’s Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert on the back of tops and it’s really special to see that.
‘Even in my era growing up, I didn’t expect to see things like that and see how the game has grown, and we want to continue to do that and be the best role models possible for young girls.’
Specsavers announced in 2024 that it was renewing its’ sponsorship deal, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, marking 24 years of support and beyond for the partnership – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport.
The deal sees the partnership not only helping with the training and development of referees but also supporting the growth of Scottish football in both the men’s and women’s game.
As the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers is here to change lives through better sight and hearing, by making expert care accessible and affordable for all.
Visit www.specsavers.co.uk or go in store to book an appointment with one of our hear care experts.
The Scottish FA has commissioned a review of Youth Development, and specifically the player development pathway, in advance of the publication of a new 10-year strategic plan.
Following the publication of the Transition Report, which looked at innovative ways of maximising game time for young Scottish talent, this latest review provides a detailed look at the fundamental structures within the player development pathway and provides recommendations to better cultivate future talent.
The review was carried out by Chief Football Officer Andy Gould and Chris Docherty, Head of Men’s Elite Strategy. It compares the existing structures within Scottish football to the most successful development strategies in world football and sport.
The key findings are incorporated within three distinct age groups – 0-5, 5-12 and 12-16 – and include:
A gradual phasing-out of the Scottish FA’s seven Regional Performance Schools.
An overhaul of Club Academy Scotland programme
A focus for the national association on cultivating players at the most impressionable ages through an ‘at home’ love of the game.
A new approach to government investment in ‘free-to-use’ municipal facilities.
An increase in education, mentoring and development opportunities to support all stakeholders involved in player development
Andy Gould, Scottish FA Chief Football Officer: “The Review of Youth Development in Scottish Football looks into global best practice in the development of young talent and examines how we can improve the pathway for our most talented players.
“While this naturally looks at trends within football it also looks at the commonalities between elite talent in other sports, as well as professions such as music and the arts.
“This has been undertaken in the context of how the Scottish football player development pathway has evolved since the launch of the performance strategy more than a decade ago: which initiatives need to be refreshed and updated, and which need to be revisited entirely.
“It’s no secret Scottish football has finite financial resource, so the recommendations have been made on the principle of maximising that resource to deliver the best results for talented young players – in the words of Arsene Wenger ‘to give every talent a chance’.
“The decision to phase-out our Performance Schools is not one that we have taken lightly. Based on our evidence from the review, the national association’s focus should be on the more impressionable age of birth to 12 years old, rather than potentially duplicating or conflicting with clubs’ own development plans.
“Similarly, a country of our size cannot credibly fund 27 academies while we have a well-known and long-standing challenge in seeing academy players graduate to first-team football.
“At present the criteria-based system is not producing top-class players and has become, anecdotally, a tick-box exercise to unlock funding.
“There are various models that exist, and we need to provide a better system for Scottish football, one that helps players maximise and – crucially – realise their potential, but also provides a flexibility of academy structure that clubs can choose based on their resources.
“This review is a commitment to harnessing investment in the right areas – as proven in the case studies we have highlighted. It is also to highlight the importance of looking beyond formal, organised, structured football and looking at a holistic approach in the early years, with emphasis on mastery of the ball and love of the game: founded on a freedom of expression and increasing free-to-play environments.”
The next step is to work with all stakeholders to agree on a new model for Club Academy Scotland, including alternative games programmes, via the Scottish FA Professional Game Board.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
Age 0-5:
The Scottish FA should look beyond formal, organised activity, and consider how to begin a project which targets parents and encourages every child to have access to multiple balls at home during infancy.
Nationwide education programme for parents on the holistic benefits of engaging their children with a ball – this can encompass nursery and primary school age groups.
A revised player journey to include consideration to 1v1 prior to established Fun 4s and 4v4 format at early ages.
Age 5-12:
Remove mandatory ‘Best v Best’ games programme for elite to reduce travel and maximise contact time with the ball.
Grassroots & Children’s Education should focus on falling in love with the ball, rather than focusing on a games-only approach.
‘Seven Days of Practice’ principle including dual registration system to allow children to train and play with professional clubs, grassroots clubs and in school.
Children encouraged to master the ball with daily practice and spend hours practicing outside of organised football training programmes.
Technical “skills clinics” around the country to enhance development along with online/YouTube presence to inspire young people.
Creating free-to-use “space to play” facilities via building football cages, campaigning government to unlock school facilities, and creating access to indoor facilities (school gym halls) in winter.
Innovative methods to tackle the Relative Age Effect.
Develop a Movement Skills Curriculum with video content, to be shared with grassroots clubs (for warm-ups) and Primary School teachers (for PE lessons).
Consider how to widen and improve the quality of workforce for grassroots football, such as developing a deploying young coaches via C Licence Qualification and College & University programmes related to sport, who partner with parent volunteers and deliver the Scottish FA curriculum to children at Grassroots level.
Age 12-16:
Reform Club Academy Scotland programme.
Employ experts in youth development, who can work closely with our top academies on an ongoing basis.
A strategic approach to the Youth National Team structure, focused on working with a wider group of players for longer, including late developers.
Phase out Scottish FA Performance Schools and reallocate resource to new Scottish FA Regional projects.
Explore the possibility of a National ‘Full Residential’, with a focus on players not selected for academies (such as late maturing players) and those from rural areas.
Consider regional elite development centres for children born in the Islands.
The Executive Summary of the review can be read here, with the review in full found here.
John Higgins, Mark Williams, Zhao Xintong, Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and defending champion Lei Peifan are among the snooker stars in the field for the BetVictor Scottish Open in Edinburgh in December.
The draw and schedule is OUT NOW for the world ranking event and fans are strongly urged to book tickets fast to make sure of their seats to see the greatest stars on the planet competing for the Stephen Hendry Trophy. Tickets start at just £16.50, incredible value for the chance to see world class live sport.
The 64-player tournament runs from December 15th to 21st at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in the Scottish capital and it will be screened across the planet by broadcasters including TNT Sports, Eurosport, DMAX and WST Play.
China’s Lei, ranked 84th in the world at the time, registered a massive shock last year when he beat Wu Yize in the final to land his first pro title. He starts the defence of his crown against Amir Sarkhosh on the opening morning at 10am on Monday December 15th.
Other key matches over the opening days include:
Scotland’s four-time Crucible king John Higgins v Antoni Kowalski. 1pm on Monday December 15th
British Open champion Shaun Murphy v Liu Hongyu. Not before 2pm on Monday December 15th
World number three and Saudi Masters champion Neil Robertson v He Guoqiang. 7pm on Monday December 15th
Reigning World Champion Zhao Xintong v Robert Milkins. Not before 8pm on Monday December 15th
Former UK Champion Stephen Maguire v Chang Bingyu. Not before 8pm on Monday December 15th
Scotland’s Anthony McGill v Tom Ford. 1pm on Tuesday December 16th
Xi’an Grand Prix champion Mark Williams v Ben Mertens. 1pm on Tuesday December 16th
Four-time World Champion Mark Selby v Robbie McGuigan. Not before 2pm on Tuesday December 16th
World number two Kyren Wilson v Gao Yang. 7pm on Tuesday December 16th
BetVictor English Open champion Mark Allen v Ishpreet Singh Chadha. Not before 8pm on Tuesday December 16th
Higgins said: “I always enjoy playing in my home tournament, with my family and friends watching.
“Obviously it would mean a great deal to win the title, it would be really special and all of the Scottish players would say the same. The standard is so good now, without a doubt it’s the best time there has ever been to be a fan.”
It’s the third event in the 2025/26 BetVictor Home Nations Series and the arena will be packed for many sessions across the seven days in the heart of one of the world’s most historic cities.
Craiglockhart Tennis and Leisure Centre is about to change the game for golfers in Edinburgh. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to sharpen your swing or someone seeking a fun, new experience with friends, the cutting-edge Trackman Golf Simulator officially opens today, Monday, 29th September.
Occupying the space formerly used as a spin studio at the entrance to the tennis centre, this exciting new addition represents a significant investment in leisure innovation by Edinburgh Leisure. The simulator offers a powerful, immersive indoor golf experience – perfect for training, socialising, or simply enjoying the game, rain, or shine.
Costing just £25 per hour, customers can bring their own clubs, or Edinburgh Leisure can provide. Bookings are per session and can accommodate up to four people at each hour-session.
“We’re thrilled to bring this state-of-the-art golf simulator to Craiglockhart,” said Kirsty Stobie, Manager at Craiglockhart Tennis and Leisure Centre.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for golfers of all levels to enjoy the game in a new way, and we’re proud to offer our members something truly special with the discounted launch offer.”
Whether you’re chasing performance or just looking to play for fun, book now via the Edinburgh Leisure app and website:
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, has called on the City of Edinburgh Council in a formal open letter today to take urgent steps to secure the future of Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC), one of Scotland’s biggest and most successful community clubs.
ESCFC, has over 1,000 players across 75 teams and more than 200 volunteers, collectively contributing over 40,000 hours of unpaid time, is facing severe challenges due to a shortage of pitches and lack of long-term security over its facilities. Every week, 5–10 children are being turned away, while six full teams, around 120 young people, risk having nowhere to train from September.
Despite more than seven years of talks with the Council, the club still does not have the land security or access to facilities it needs. Edinburgh Leisure has not responded since March regarding long-term Astro pitch availability, and without action the club has missed out on major investment opportunities, such as the £8.6m Scottish FA Pitching In fund.
The club’s impact stretches far beyond football, with initiatives including:
Free after school club and holiday camps (averaging 600 free places weekly across the year)
Free mental health counselling and physiotherapy
Racism and disability awareness training
Free use of club facilities for local schools
Fee waivers and discounts for families in need
Completely free Soccer School every Saturday for up to 120 children aged 5-8
ESCFC is a Platinum-level accredited club, the highest recognition awarded by the SFA, and has been nominated for National Community Club of the Year.
Ian Murray MP said: ““Edinburgh South CFC is a shining example of everything that is good about grassroots football. The scale of the club’s impact from free school holiday places to counselling, mentoring, and a boot exchange programme is extraordinary.
“But that success is now under threat. It is simply unsustainable for children to be turned away week after week because of a lack of facilities and security, and miss out on repeated funding rounds.
“This has gone on far too long. The Council must now step up, work with the club, and deliver the long-term security and pitches it desperately needs.”
Joe Sneddon, Chair of Edinburgh South CFC, said: “Our ethos has always been simple: if you want to play, you play.Thanks to our incredible volunteers we’ve been able to make that a reality for decades, but the lack of facilities and long-term backing is now putting that at risk. We don’t want to turn children away, yet that’s exactly what is happening.
“The Council cannot allow a club of this standing, delivering this scale of community benefit, to be held back by lack of facilities and short-term agreements. The time for warm words is over, we need action to allow us to continue delivering for our communities.”
Ian Murray has written formally to the Council setting out a series of practical steps, including a new Astroturf pitch at Inch Park, guaranteed access to the new Liberton High School Astro, and long-term leases at key facilities across South Edinburgh.
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has partnered with Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of Rugby to launch the Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies, an initiative that will expand inclusive playing and training opportunities for juniors to engage with wheelchair rugby at both grassroots and performance levels.
Wooden Spoon has a long-standing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, through the power of rugby. This partnership with GBWR is a natural extension of that mission; creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering space for young people with disabilities to thrive.
Building Tomorrow’s Champions: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Junior Regional Academies
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby to launch the Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies; a transformative initiative set to redefine the landscape of junior wheelchair rugby across the UK.
This exciting collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s development, creating a structured and inclusive pathway for young athletes and expanding opportunities for juniors to engage with wheelchair rugby at both grassroots and performance levels.
A Game-Changer for Junior Wheelchair Rugby
The new academies will provide increased playing and training opportunities for junior athletes in both wheelchair rugby (Paralympic discipline) and Wheelchair Rugby fives, while also welcoming young people who are not currently affiliated with local clubs. Wooden Spoon’s sponsorship is instrumental in supporting this growth, helping to build a vibrant and sustainable junior community.
Why Junior Academies Matter
Many junior players currently train within senior clubs under “Safe to Play” rules. While this has enabled participation, it often limits peer-to-peer engagement. The new academies will offer a dedicated space for juniors to connect, compete, and grow alongside athletes their own age; fostering personal development, confidence, and a shared passion for the sport.
Aligned with GBWR’s Performance Pathway
The academies will serve as the first step in GBWR’s performance pathway, offering consistent, high-quality coaching and a clear route for talented young athletes to progress. This structured environment is designed to nurture the next generation of Paralympians.
Key Pillars of the Junior Academies
Talent Development: A structured environment aligned with GBWR’s talent pathway.
Inclusivity: Open to all junior players, including wheelchair ruby fives athletes.
Accessibility: Welcoming juniors regardless of club affiliation.
Competition: Regional teams will compete in tournaments, starting with the inaugural Junior Tournament on Saturday, 7th February 2026.
Academy Identity: Each academy will choose its name and design bespoke kit.
Geographic Boundaries: Players will join their nearest academy, with flexibility for border regions.
Regularity: A minimum of five sessions per year, complementing club commitments.
Junior Voice: Each academy will elect a player representative to a Junior Panel.
Coaching Excellence: Led by passionate GBWR club coaches, supported with CPD and a structured syllabus.
Launch Details
The first academy sessions will take place on the weekend of Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025, with initial locations in:
North – Galashiels (Coaches: Adam Robson & Aaron Kilpatrick) Midlands – Corby (Coaches: Jamie Higgins & Kascie Higgins) London & South – Reading (Coaches: Sally Sycha & Omar Foster) Wales – Location TBC (Coaches: Byron White & Dominic Evans)
Following the launch, regular sessions will be held in November, January, and March, leading up to the Junior Tournament in February 2026.
Contact Jamie Higgins to find out more information or register your child jamie.higgins@gbwr.org.uk
Voices from the Community
Jason Brisbane, GBWR CEO, said:“This partnership with Wooden Spoon is a powerful step forward in our mission to grow the sport from the ground up.
“Junior athletes deserve a space where they can thrive, connect and dream big. These academies will be the launchpad for future Paralympians and community leaders.”
Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon CEO, said: “Every child deserves the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that sport brings.
“That’s why this partnership is so important, it opens the door for more young people to discover wheelchair rugby, to fulfil their dream of representing their country at the Paralympics, and to build lifelong friendships along the way.
“Together, we’re not just creating opportunities to play; we’re building a future where every child with a disability can see themselves as an athlete”
Jamie Higgins, Junior Programme Development Officer and Midlands Coach, added: “These academies will not only provide consistent, high-quality coaching through links with the Talent pathway, but also create a sense of community and competition among young players.
“We are confident this will lead to increased participation and pave the way for future wheelchair rugby stars.”
A 9-year-old junior player from the North Academy shared: “I can’t wait to play with other kids like me!
“It’s gonna be so fun making new friends and learning new stuff together.”
A Shared Mission for Inclusion and Empowerment
Wooden Spoon has a long-standing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, through the power of rugby. This partnership with GBWR is a natural extension of that mission; creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering space for young people with disabilities to thrive.
🔗 Learn more about Wooden Spoon at woodenspoon.org.uk
The Craigroyston CYFC management committee would like to invite you all, to our annual general meeting. It will be held at the club on the 4th of October 2025 at 9.30am. Space will be tight so please arrive in plenty time.
All required info is in the below notice. If anybody has any question regarding the meeting, please reach out via the email address in the notice.
