West Dunbartonshire Leisure's Sports Development Service is a key provider of sporting opportunities across the local authority with sports programmes being delivered in Alexandria, Clydebank and Dumbarton.
The Sports Development service moved from West Dunbartonshire Council into a new Leisure Trust called West Dunbartonshire Leisure on 1st April 2012. The service continues to have very strong links with the local authority, especially the Educational Services and Housing, Economic and Environmental Development Departments.
School coaching programmes are delivered into all schools in West Dunbartonshire that substantially contribute to pupils educational attainment and assist the development of additional life skills and self-confidence. 95% of young people believe that the sessions are excellent and that they motivate them to participate in more sporting activities, highlighting the impact of this part of the service. The service also has club and community development as a high priority and as a result a lot of time is spent working with local clubs, groups, coaches and volunteers. Sports Development programmes cater for over 300,000 participants per annum, demonstrating the popularity and demand for the projects that are in place.
All programmes are designed to widen opportunities for people to participate in sport and physical activity, and to establish a sustainable sports infrastructure that provides a fluent pathway, enabling people to fulfil their potential in a chosen sport. The service delivers many projects that focus on young people, as enjoyable contact with sport and physical activity at a young age lays the foundation for life-long participation. Sports Development programmes are also delivered within a fun and open environment to ensure that young people are educated to realise that sport is something that can improve their quality of life.
Sport has the ability to improve individual's confidence, self-esteem, social interaction, fitness, skills and most importantly their health. These benefits can be experienced by everyone and as a result Sports Development aim to provide opportunities for all no matter their age, gender, disability or race.
Information on the various Sports Development projects can be found by navigating through the links shown above left (see listing below 'Sports Development' in left hand column).
In addition to all of the school and community projects, the service provides extensive school holiday programmes during spring and summer.
