West Lothian Council, working in partnership with sportscotland, is continuing to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people locally as part of the national 2026 Summer of Sport initiative.
Harnessing nationwide interest in the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, the £20 million initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, has already helped thousands of young people across Scotland get active and experience the benefits of taking part in sport.
Since launching in May, the council has awarded £84,000 of Summer of Sport grants to 16 sports clubs and organisations which has supported huge numbers of young people to access a broad range of activities, events and opportunities including summer camps, holiday programmes, sport specific camps and events, family and individual swimming and development opportunities for young people.
Depute Leader of West Lothian Council Susan Manion said:
"We are delighted to be a key partner in West Lothian's Summer of Sport 2026 programme, which has already supported many local children and young people to get involved in fun and healthy sport activities.
"It's fantastic that this will continue for the rest of the year and into 2027, so even more young people from across West Lothian will see the benefits going forward."
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
"The 2026 Summer of Sport has already helped thousands of young people across Scotland get active and experience the wider benefits of taking part in sport and physical activity. As we move into autumn and winter, it's fantastic to see free and low-cost opportunities continuing in West Lothian giving even more young people the chance to take part.
"By working with local partners, we're helping to break down barriers to participation and create a lasting sporting legacy that extends far beyond the excitement of this incredible summer of sport."
But while summer may be over, the 2026 Summer of Sport is far from finished.
Throughout autumn and winter, and into 2027, young people in West Lothian will continue to enjoy access to a range of free and low-cost sporting and physical activity opportunities through partners, sports clubs and organisations who have recently been awarded funding via our Beyond Summer, Step Into Coaching Scholarships and Community Sport Hub Events Grants. Active Schools and Community Sport will also be providing October sports camps including a distinct ASN provision with information shared via the relevant schools.
West Lothian Council is also working with primary and secondary schools in Armadale, West Calder, Bathgate, Blackburn and Winchburgh to provide small-sided targeted interventions and extra-curricular activity during breakfast, lunch time and after school through the appointment of 4 Trainee Active Schools Coordinators to enhance the opportunities.
The 2026 Summer of Sport was launched to help remove barriers to participation and give more young people aged three to 26 the opportunity to be active, regardless of their background or experience.
With the programme continuing into the colder months and beyond, young people across Scotland can find even more opportunities on their doorstep - and there has never been a better time to get involved.
To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport initiative and discover what new opportunities are available in your area, visit: Sport Scotland 2026 (opens new window)
More information about the programme for West Lothian is available at 2026 Summer of Sport West Lothian
