This programme aims to strengthen sports clubs and community organisations by funding paid roles that shall improve the governance, sustainability, safety, and inclusion within club sport in Scotland.
The roles will build capacity within clubs, support - not replace - volunteers, and create sustainable structures that enable clubs to grow participation and better serve their communities.
The expected outcomes of the programme will be to have a clear impact on:
The growth of club membership.
Increased diversity of both participants and volunteers involved in club sport.
Improved member retention and the provision of sustained participation.
Stronger volunteer and workforce structures within clubs.
SGBs, Local Authorities/Leisure Trusts and Invested National Partners will work with clubs and community organisations to develop a business case against the programme priorities of; Making clubs stronger, Making clubs more sustainable, Making clubs safer and Making clubs more inclusive that will see paid roles such as administrators, development officers, coaching coordinators, safeguarding officers, and facility managers put in place based on club need.
Further guidance and a business case template shall be made available to SGBs, Local Authorities/Leisure Trusts and Invested National Partners on the 8th April 2026.
For further information please email TBC
Frequently asked questions and answers
Who will we fund?
Clubs must be affiliated to a recognised SGB or an invested National Partner.
Investment may be channelled through Local Authorities and Leisure Trusts to community organisations. (Appropriate operating requirements will be required for all
Who will we not fund?
Businesses and profit-making organisations are not eligible to apply.
Professional sports clubs and organisations
What kind of posts will we support?
Funding will support paid roles that strengthen club capacity based on club need and could include the following:
Club/Membership Administrator
Coach/Coaching Coordinator / Head Coach
Club Development Officer
Outreach Officer
Safeguarding Officer
Facility/Operations Manager
Coach Developers/Mentors
Community Impact Officer
Will we fund current posts?
We are looking for additionality, so we will work with Scottish Governing Bodies and Partners to look at gaps and areas of potential growth rather than directly funding current posts in the system. Aptos_MSCustomFont, Aptos_MSFontService, sans-serif; color: rgb(33, 94, 153); background-color: rgb(198, 198, 198) !important;
What level of funding will be provided?
sport scotland will fund up to 75% of costs (max £20k per club/applicant per year).
25% partnership funding is required to cover the project costs across the investment period of the project.
Posts must pay at least the Scottish Living Wage.