sportscotland - Graham Lindsay
sportscotland
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Their vision is an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport and can find ways to be physically active as part of their daily life. sportscotland follow six key principles: inclusivity, accountability, responsiveness, a person-centred approach, collaboration, and striving for world-class standards.
Within Shetland, they have been instrumental in supporting individuals who do not have access to suitable sports clothing to get involved in Sport. A Sports Recycling Scheme was created in 2023 which encourages donations of unwanted sports clothing and equipment, which are then redistributed to those in need. The initiative has received generous donations and positive feedback.
In Shetland, sportscotland provide strategic guidance for sport and physical activity. They invest annually in staffing, and deliver Active Schools and Community Sports Hubs programmes. They invest £190,000 per year in a number of groups and projects including; Active Schools, Community Sports Hubs, Young People in Leadership, Coaching & Volunteering, and Athlete Travel Support. sportscotland are also investing £200k in the new 3G pitch in Lerwick, which will be a huge asset for local people and clubs.
sportscotland’s part in the Shetland Partnership is to provide strategic and political support and expertise into the local Strategy for sport and physical activity. They strengthen the network of People, Places and Partnerships towards enabling more people to be more active and involved in sport and physical activity.
Find out more about sportscotland on their website.
Graham Lindsay, Partnership Manager (Highlands & Islands)
Graham believes the partnership can best serve the community by working collaboratively to enable people in Shetland access to sport and physical activity without barriers. He would like the partnership to ensure that people are aware of the range of opportunities available to live more active lives. Strengthening the network of people, places and partnerships will create opportunities to allow more people to be more active, more often.
In three years’ time Graham would like a Shetland where more people are physically active and taking part in sport, reinforced through local and national indicators. In order to achieve this he would like there to be a refreshed Active Shetland Strategy developed with a shared action plan, informed by the Physical Activity for Health Framework and ‘Systems Based Approach to sport and physical activity, endorsed by the Shetland Partnership.
The greatest strength of the partnership and their work is that there is a clear buy-in to the Active Shetland Strategy and partnership, with regular attendance at strategy and sub-group meetings.
Neil Watt, Executive Manager of Sport and Leisure at Shetland Islands Council attends the in-person Shetland Partnership Network sessions. Neil feeds back to Graham at their regular catch ups and through the Active Shetland Strategy work.