The £20 million Scottish Government investment will give young people the chance to get involved in different sporting activities on their doorstep.
Shetland Islands Council, working in partnership with sportscotland, has secured funding from the national initiative to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people locally as part of the national agency’s 2026 Summer of Sport.
The £20 million initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, will offer young people aged three to 26 the opportunity to get active and maybe try something new.
This summer, it’s game on, with the 2026 Summer of Sport a unique opportunity for communities across Scotland to embrace the excitement of sport. Inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Scotland will be showcased on the global stage, and young people will have a chance to take part, get active and begin their own journey in sport and activity.
With activities running throughout the summer and beyond, young people in Shetland will have access to a range of free activities and events, helping remove barriers to participation and ensure more young people have the chance to get involved.
Shetland Islands Council is working with a network of partners, including Ability Shetland, Shetland Recreational Trust, Shetland Arts, YDance, Shetland Netball, the Scottish Football Association and various local sports clubs to ensure these opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of background. The funding will enable the delivery of activities designed to help young people develop healthy habits, build stronger social connections, and foster a lifelong love of movement.
Through these investments, Shetland Islands Council is working to ensure that the 2026 Summer of Sport positively influences as many young people as possible, fostering engagement in sport and outdoor activities across all communities.
Neil Watt, Executive Manager – Sport and Leisure, Shetland Islands Council, said:
“We’re proud to support the 2026 Summer of Sport and bring exciting, accessible activities to young people in Shetland. This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to try something new, get active, and experience the joy of physical activity, whether it’s through sport, outdoor events, or community-based activities. Our goal is to make these opportunities available to everyone, regardless of their location and background.”
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:
“At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”
To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: https://sportscotland.org.uk/2026
- sportscotland is the national agency for sport. It is a non-departmental public body, responsible through ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It is a National Lottery Fund distributor and is governed by National Lottery distribution rules.
- sportscotland invest Scottish Government and National Lottery resources to build a world-class sporting system for everyone in Scotland. More details at:
- About the 2026 Summer of Sport
The 2026 Summer of Sport will provide children and young people across Scotland the opportunity to get active in their local communities through events and activities hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities. Free and low-cost opportunities will be provided with investment from the Scottish Government and delivered by sportscotland, as the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games and more inspires a generation to get involved in sport and physical activity.
The Summer of Sport forms part of a wider £20 million Scottish Government investment in sport and physical activity across Scotland, including:
- £15 million for the Summer of Sport, providing free and low-cost sport and activities for children and young people.
- A universal learn-to-swim offer for every primary school child in Scotland, that will continue beyond 2026, backed by initial year-one investment of £2 million.
- A £2 million ‘Celebration of Football’ fund, aligned with the FIFA World Cup, using the power of Scotland’s national game to change lives through football.
- A £1 million ‘Health in the Community’ campaign targeting areas with low activity levels to become and stay active