Future of sport in Orkney in good health as funding boost for coaches announced

Orkney’s communities will be on a more level playing field when it comes to the number of qualified sports coaches thanks to a funding package from the Council’s Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund, sportscotland and Orkney 2025. 

Coaching courses have been underway since January 2024 across a range of Island Games sports – athletics, swimming, badminton, football, squash and archery – and the funding of £79,620 will contribute to the Coach and Official Development project, which runs until 2027. 

The Council’s Community Sports Officer, Elaine Harcus, said: “A high number of local sports clubs are at full capacity and unable to grow or develop due to a lack of coaches, meaning training new coaches and upskilling existing coaches is essential for the sustainability and development of the clubs. 

“This funding will enable an increase in the number of coaches and, in turn, the opportunity to help make sport and activity more accessible for all. 

“The project will develop and support the local community by supporting volunteers in developing their personal skills, through coach education, official courses and Continuing Professional Development. 

“It will also support young people beginning their coaching pathway, for example Orkney Gymnastics Club are working towards offering the qualification in some of the isles. 

“Getting potential coaches involved from a young age is key to the development of local clubs and is promising for the future of Orkney sport.” 

The project will also support the development of performance athletes, including those identified as ‘podium potential’ for Orkney 2025, as upskilling local coaches will increase their ability to plan and deliver more specialised training for the athletes. 

Elaine continued: “Several clubs also have plans to make their sport more accessible to the island communities – such as Gymnastics are looking to train Activity Instructors in Hoy, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray, and the Swimming Club aim to train coaches in the Isles. Increasing opportunities for all to participate in sport and physical activity will lead to improvements in both physical and mental health for many of the Orkney population, and consequently improve quality of life.” 

Active Schools Co-ordinator and a football coach, Michael Swanney, said: “The funding has already greatly benefited our club - Hotspurs youth football.  Everyone who is involved in coaching, now has a basic 1.1 coaching badge, which only helps grassroot football and will help to benefit Orkney football in the future.  The club looks forward to the next set of coaching courses, which is planned to later on in the year.” 

The Council’s Service Manager Sustainable Regeneration and Arctic and a local swimming coach, Inga Burton, added: “The funding from sportscotland and the Council’s Community Led Development Fund is hugely appreciated particularly when the financial situation is so challenging nationally. 

“It is often difficult to get access to coach development training without having to travel away so having training delivered locally is a huge help. This investment is much more than investment in clubs and supports the development of our young people and volunteers which all goes back into supporting the wider community.”   

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer commended the efforts of all involved in gaining the additional funding. 

“Orkney athletes and clubs continue to make national headlines for all the right reasons, with medal success stories being shared on what seems like a weekly basis at the moment. 

“This additional money focused in on coaching will ensure that we not only encouraging our young folk to get involved but also make sure our athletes are receiving the level of coaching that they require to allow for continued success.”