Women and Girls in Sport Week - leading on sports development - Elaine Harcus

Leading on sports development at Orkney Islands Council is North o’ the Galt’s Elaine Harcus, who always knew she wanted to pursue a career in sport. 

Brought up in Stronsay, Elaine went on to study Sport and Exercise Science at Robert Gordon University before starting work with the OIC Sport and Leisure team in 2013 as the Duty Officer for KGS Sports Centre, when the new school opened. 

In July 2014 she took on the role of Senior Duty Officer, managing the Council’s Sport and Leisure facilities (KGS Sports Centre, Dounby Centre, the seven Healthy Living Centres and the Hostels and Campsites). 

Elaine said: “While I was on maternity leave in 2019, I decided to take a two-year career break to be at home with my three bairns. When I returned to work, I still wanted to remain in sport and leisure but needed a more flexible role to fit around busy family life. I was lucky to be appointed Community Sports Officer which I’ve been doing up until recently. I am now the Council’s Sports Development Officer (SDO).” 

The SDO post is externally funded by the CECLDF (Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund) and sportscotland until March 2027. A key priority of the role is to bring sport and physical opportunities to Orkney, including the ferry linked isles. 

Elaine’s workload covers coordinating Orkney’s Performance Development Programme (PDP); administering the Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS); supporting local clubs with aspects such as funding, linking with schools, setting up inclusive sessions, accessing facilities and Island Games preparation. 

She also arranges generic courses for local sports club volunteers and facility staff, whilst working with local clubs and Scottish Governing Bodies to plan coach development activity; planning and delivering Orkney’s Parasport Festivals, the holiday programmes and Sports Awards along with Active Schools Co-ordinators. 

“I was successful in getting funding through the CECLDF, sportscotland and Orkney 2025 for the Coach and Official development project. Another successful project was working with the Orkney Cycling Club to get funding for the development of cyclo-cross.” 

Growing up in one of the North Isles, there were many opportunities to be active and get involved in sport. 

"When I moved away to Uni it also had an important role to play as joining university sports clubs allowed me to meet so many new people and make friends.  

“I see sport as being a really important part of folks’ lives. Besides the obvious benefits to folks’ physical and mental health, it allows strong friendships to be made, it allows people to work towards and achieve their goals and experience success. It also allows people to be part of the sporting community that’s so strong here in Orkney.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Elaine is a wonderful example of growing one of our own leaders in sport and I have no doubt she will be an inspiration to others.”