Sporting Memories clubs to get off the starting block in Orkney

Two Sporting Memories clubs are on track to be up and running in Kirkwall and Stromness soon. 

Sporting Memories supports folk aged 50 and over to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through sports-based reminiscence and inclusive activities. 

Brian Sloan and Donna Mackey from Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland will be in Orkney next week to continue conversations with partners, including the Council, the Pickaquoy Centre, Orkney 2025, Voluntary Action Orkney and the Stromness Men’s Shed around the launch of the clubs in the county. 

There will be an open session for anyone interested in finding out more about the clubs on Tuesday 25 March from 6-7pm in the Magnus Room at Picky. 

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage funding and as part of Orkney2025, Sporting Memories will also be collecting and curating memories from across decades of International Island Games history. This will include an intergenerational project with school pupils carrying out some of the interviews. 

Sporting Memories is inviting those with any connections to the Island Games from the past 40 years to share their memories to create a treasure trove of stories as a legacy of this, the 20th International Island Games. All memories will be shared online to form an important archive for the history of the Games. 

The Council’s Sports Development Officer, Elaine Harcus, said: “The clubs provide the perfect opportunity for folk to connect through sport - reminiscing, reconnecting over shared memories, some physical activity and a cuppa! The content and structure of the sessions will be very much determined by the folk who come along and their interests. 

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in sport to come along to the open session to hear more.”