This year’s Summer of Sport programme recorded over 5000 attendances, as children, young people and families embraced an active summer.
The packed programme of free sporting activities across Shetland and was delivered in partnership with local clubs, coaches, and volunteers, giving participants a chance to get active, learn new skills and try sports they may never have experienced.
Around 750 children and young people booked onto activities during the summer holidays, and the popular Picnic & Play sessions, which did not require to be booked, also attracted an estimated 2,400 attendances.
The programme featured a variety of activities, including fifteen sports, from basketball to fencing to table tennis, as well as dance and skateboarding. Families also enjoyed accessible opportunities such as Picnic & Play, Pedal Power cycling sessions and family badminton, table tennis and rugby events.
Activities took place in communities across Shetland, in the North, South and West Mainland, as well as on Yell, Unst and Whalsay.
This year’s programme also included a visit from Scottish Youth Dance (YDance), who delivered a week of dance camps, attracting almost 80 children and giving them a chance to explore difference dance styles in a fun, inclusive environment. YDance also provided a week-long Leadership programme, attended by six young people who gained experience and learned skills to support future local dance activities.
Ability Shetland’s summer programme offered inclusive sporting opportunities, including kayaking, boccia, curling, wheelchair basketball and goalball. The initiative helped build local capacity for more people of all abilities to be active and engaged in sport.
The programme was part of the national ‘Summer of Sport’ 2026 initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated through sportscotland, with local delivery coordinated by the Council's Sport & Leisure service. As well as volunteer coaches from local clubs, the delivery of the programme in the summer holidays was assisted by three seasonal staff employed by the Sport & Leisure Service.
A survey being led by Research Scotland has been shared with parents/carers of children who took part in Summer of Sport activities.
For anyone who attended non-bookable activities such as Picnic & Play, they can share any feedback through a Survey link on the Council’s Sport & Leisure webpage
Louise Jamieson, Active Schools Manager at the Council’s Sport & Leisure service, said:
"This summer's programme has been a fantastic success. The demand for activities was incredible, and it was wonderful to see so many children, young people and families getting involved. We are grateful to the clubs, coaches, volunteers, and partner organisations who helped deliver such a diverse programme. Their enthusiasm and commitment made it possible for participants to try everything from fencing and archery to hockey, rowing and skateboarding."
"Summer of Sport is all about creating positive experiences, building confidence and helping people discover activities they can continue to enjoy long after the holidays have ended. We would like to thank everyone who took part and helped make Summer of Sport 2026 such a memorable success."
Summer of Sport 2026 was funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated through sportscotland. More details at: sportscotland.org.uk/summer-of-sport