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Summer of Sport 2026

2026 Summer Of Sport

West Dunbartonshire Council has been awarded funding to help our children and young people get active, stay fit and lead healthier lifestyles.

The Summer of Sport is being delivered in addition to the wide range of free activities already provided to all children and young people throughout the summer holidays, including free swimming sessions for all West Dunbartonshire school pupils; free gym sessions for pupils aged between 12 and 18, and the SHINE summer holiday programme.

The Scottish Government funding for local authorities is part of a national initiative designed to provide inclusive and inspiring sporting experiences. This investment will allow us to offer a range of activities that are free or low-cost and targeted to ensure that every young person in West Dunbartonshire has the opportunity to participate.

Our aim is to ensure a wide range of sessions are available across West Dunbartonshire’s leisure facilities, schools, and community hubs. 

Please check back frequently for updates on how to get involved. 

The Summer of Sport 2026 is in partnership with sportscotland, the national agency for sport. 

Our Summer of Sport programme provides a wide variety of free camps, active classes, and health initiatives designed to get children, young people, and families moving across West Dunbartonshire.

Holiday camps and active sports classes

Girls Football Camp

Open to girls aged 5 to 12 years, this free camp welcomes all abilities. It offers the opportunity to improve and develop football skills in a fun and safe environment. The sessions aim to get more girls active, build their confidence, develop friendships, and learn new skills. Qualified female coaches will be on hand to ensure girls have fun and enjoy football. Girls will be able to continue their football journey in WDL community classes or in a club environment.

Girls Football Classes

Designed for girls aged 5 to 12 years to try football in a safe and fun environment, these classes provide an opportunity to be more active, learn new skills, develop confidence, and be part of a team. Qualified coaches will ensure the weekly free sessions are fun and enjoyable. Girls will be able to continue their football journey in community classes or a club environment.

Multi-sports Classes

Delivered by qualified sports coaches, these multi-sport classes offer children aged 5 to 12 years opportunities to try new sports in a safe and fun environment while being more active, learning new skills, developing confidence, and being part of a team.

Netball Classes

Designed for children aged 5 to 12 years, these classes provide an opportunity to try netball in a safe and fun environment. It is a chance for children to be more active, learn new skills, develop confidence, make friendships, and be part of a team. Qualified coaches will ensure the weekly sessions are fun and enjoyable, and participants will be able to continue their netball journey in a club environment.

Free Sports Club Sessions

Local sports clubs are finalising plans for free activities this summer. More information will be uploaded as soon as programmes are confirmed.

  • Timescales: Various
  • Contact: To be confirmed

Shine Programme

A range of activities throughout the summer holiday period for West Dunbartonshire school pupils.

Active travel and community cycling

West Dunbartonshire Cycling and Walking Programme Summer 2026

Active Travel at WDC is partnering with Vale of Leven Trust and Dumbarton Football Club to deliver free cycling and walking activities this summer (and beyond) for young people up to the age of 26. The initiative will offer opportunities to learn to cycle, become more confident in cycling or walking, provide access to bikes, and offer support and learning on bike repairs. All participants under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult, and 16 and 17 year olds need parental permission.

  • Timescales: New cycling and walking sessions commence from 29 June 2026 (times and locations to be confirmed).
  • Current active sessions:
    • Adult Group Cycling on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.30pm
    • Beginner/Family Cycling Sessions on Thursdays at 6pm
    • Ongoing Bike Repair Sessions
  • Location: All current sessions take place at 9 Mitchell Way, Alexandria, G83 0LW.
  • Website: Visit the Vale of Leven Trust website.
  • Contact: Email Kirsten.gibson2@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or info@valeofleventrust.com

Targeted support and inclusion projects

Supporting Physical Activity for Priority Families

This project supports priority families engaging with the Working4U Employability Service by removing financial and access barriers to family-based physical activity. It strengthens wellbeing, routine, and resilience while parents and carers work towards employment.

Project SEARCH: Embedding Physical Activity and Wellbeing

This project will embed structured, inclusive physical activity sessions into the existing Project SEARCH West Dunbartonshire programme for young people with additional support needs.

Thrive and Ready2Thrive Wellbeing Sessions

Young people aged between 16 and 24 within the existing Thrive and Ready2Thrive programmes will have opportunities to take part in a range of physical activity sessions to enhance their wellbeing.

Summer of Sport: Sports Development and Active Schools Camps

Priority families engaging with Working4U through employability-linked support will be provided with free Summer Sports Camp places.

NextGen WDLT Coaches Pathway

This project creates a sustainable pathway for pupils to progress from school-based sports leadership into training and employment opportunities. It blends leadership development, coaching qualifications, practical experience, and mentoring. Young people build confidence and skills, moving into entry-level coaching roles while delivering inclusive, accessible sport and physical activity programmes.

Swimming Development Modern Apprenticeships

This project supports the recruitment and development of swimming apprentices to strengthen delivery capacity. Working alongside the Swimming Development Team, apprentices assist in delivering structured lessons alongside qualified teachers, gaining a qualification and creating a clear pathway into employment within aquatics. The project enhances programme capacity, improve learner support, and help build a skilled, sustainable local workforce.

Teenage and Young People Learn to Swim Programme

This project addresses a gap in Learn to Swim provision for 14 to 21 year olds in West Dunbartonshire and targets young people who lack basic swimming skills and water safety awareness. It delivers free, age-appropriate, inclusive sessions in a supportive, non-judgemental environment, helping build confidence and competence. The programme also provides pathways for further development, including potential teaching opportunities. By combining swimming lessons with water safety education, the project aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to stay safe in and around water.

Inclusive Dance Programme

This programme provides high-quality, inclusive dance opportunities for children and young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN). In partnership with specialist providers such as Indepen-Dance, sessions are delivered within ASN schools and settings, alongside the development of community-based opportunities to support participation and transition beyond school. The programme also provides training for staff and volunteers, and participating schools receive resources to support sustained delivery beyond the funding period.

Dunbartonshire Disability Sports Club (DDSC) School Sessions

Active Schools, in partnership with Dunbartonshire Disability Sport Club (DDSC), delivers a targeted programme of extra-curricular physical activity sessions for ASN pupils across West Dunbartonshire. Trained disability sports coaches provide lunchtime and after-school opportunities in all ASN settings. The programme also strengthens pathways into community sport by promoting DDSC activities to families, supporting continued participation, progression, and lifelong engagement in sport and physical activity.

Physical Activity and PE Inclusion Coach (OLSP and Bellsmyre Campus)

An Active Schools Physical Activity and PE Inclusion Coach is based across Our Lady and St Patrick’s and the Bellsmyre Campus, enhancing inclusion in PE and school sport. Working directly with pupils who face barriers to participation—such as anxiety, neurodiversity, additional support needs, or low confidence—the coach offers targeted 1:1 and small‑group support during PE lessons. The programme also delivers inclusive, low‑pressure lunchtime and after‑school activities, creating welcoming opportunities for all young people to engage in physical activity and build confidence.