The Scottish Government, in collaboration with sportscotland has launched the 2026 Summer of Sport a £20 million initiative aimed at inspiring young people to embrace active lifestyles. This campaign, which coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is designed to make sport more inclusive and accessible across Scotland.
The initiative is not just about sports; it’s about fostering community engagement promoting healthy habits and building social connections. With activities running throughout the summer and beyond, the campaign aims to remove barriers to participation and ensure that more young people have the chance to get involved.
British Ice Skating Joins the Initiative
British Ice Skating in partnership with sportscotland has secured funding from the national initiative to provide low-cost opportunities for young people to learn to skate. This collaboration includes a network of partners such as the Inverness Ice CentreWaterfront Ice Rink and Time Capsule Ice Rink ensuring that young people across Scotland can experience the joy of skating.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “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.”
Ice Skating Opportunities Across Scotland
The 2026 Summer of Sport initiative includes a range of free and low-cost sporting events, with a particular focus on ice skating. Young people aged 3-26 are encouraged to participate in short-term learn to skate courses taking place at Scottish ice rinks over the coming months.
For instance, the Waterfront Ice Rink is offering daily learn to skate opportunities from 12-16 October. Meanwhile, the Time Capsule Ice Rink in Coatbridge has completed its Summer of Sport sessions but continues to provide information on how to get started with skating.
The initiative is not just limited to these rinks. Funding is still available for two more rinks in Scotland to collaborate on this project, with interested parties encouraged to get in touch with Kate Matthews-Forbes at [email protected].
The Impact of the Commonwealth Games on Basketball
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have sparked a renewed interest in basketball across Scotland. The men’s team won Scotland’s first-ever team sport medal with a bronze in the 3×3 basketball event, while the women’s wheelchair team secured a silver medal. This success has ignited hopes for an “explosion” in the popularity of basketball in Scotland.
Robyn Love, a key player in the women’s wheelchair basketball team, shared her optimism, stating, “We’ve made fans out of people today. I think that you’re just going to see an explosion, not only of people competing, but of people being involved in the sport, volunteering, coaching, coming to watch the sport.”
Fraser Malcolm, a member of the men’s team, echoed these sentiments, hoping that the success would bring more coverage and publicity to the sport. He noted, “It’s not as popular a sport as it is in other places in the world, but every time we play an international stage, we punch above our weight.”
The Caledonia Gladiators, Scotland’s only professional basketball team, have retained the services of both Kyle Jimenez and Fraser Malcolm, further signaling the growing interest in the sport. This breakthrough could prove to be a watershed moment for basketball north of the border.
