The £20 million Scottish Government investment will give young people the chance to get involved in different sporting activities on their doorstep. 

 Ayrshire360 working in partnership with sportscotland, has secured funding from the national initiative to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people locally as part of the national agency’s 2026 Summer of Sport.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “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. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”

The £20 million initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, will offer young people aged three to 26 the opportunity to get active and maybe try something new.

This summer, it’s game on, and the 2026 Summer of Sport is a unique opportunity for communities across Scotland to embrace the excitement of sport, inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, both of which will showcase Scotland on the global stage and inspire young people to take part, get active and begin their own journey in sport and activity.With activities running throughout the summer and beyond, young people in East Ayrshire will have access to a range of free activities and events, helping remove barriers to participation and ensure more young people have the chance to get involved.

Ayrshire360 is working with a network of partners, including East Ayrshire Council and local sports clubs, to ensure these opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of background. The funding will enable the delivery of activities designed to help young people develop healthy habits, build stronger social connections, and foster a lifelong love of movement. 

Anneke Freel, Chief Officer of Ayrshire360 said: “We’re proud to support the 2026 Summer of Sport and bring exciting, accessible activities to young people in East Ayrshire. This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to try something new, get active, and experience the joy of physical activity, whether it’s through sport, outdoor events, or community-based activities. Our goal is to make these opportunities available to everyone, regardless of background.”

Through these investments, Ayrshire360 is working to ensure that the 2026 Summer of Sport positively influences as many young people as possible, fostering engagement in sport and outdoor activities across all communities.

To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: sportscotland.org.uk/summer-of-sport

To find out more about Summer of Sport Grant Scheme for local clubs, click here