We are delighted to be partnering with the following organisations to support community sports projects for young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
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"Cricket Start" in Livingston delivered by 4 Sport Scotland and Livingston CC
Cricket sessions were delivered to three primary schools in Livingston, at Bankton, St Ninians and Dedridge. Over the project, 145 pupils from P5, 6 and 7 were introduced to the game after school and for many, it was the first time they had tried the sport. We now plan to run an increased programme in the Summer term of 2023 with opportunities for pupils to then move to Livingston Cricket Club over the summer holidays.
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'Cricket Start' at Oxgangs Primary in partnership with George Watson's College, Watsonians Cricket Club & Boroughmuir Cricket Club
Following on from the success of the Hockey Start programme, we are delighted to announce that Sporting Start is funding Cricket Start, a new two-year programme starting February 2022.
George Watson’s College is working with Watsonians Cricket Club and Boroughmuir Cricket Club to provide specialist cricket coaching for pupils in five primary schools who do not currently have access to cricket in their schools. This includes a block of coaching during PE curriculum time so that all P5 pupils can experience cricket and for those interested, the option of an extracurricular cluster cricket club so that pupils have an opportunity to continue playing cricket in their local area.
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Capoeira 2021 October Camp, delivered by Axé Boom Boom
Axé Boom Boom, an Edinburgh based organisation, aims to develop physical literacy by helping children and their families to keep healthy and active by encouraging them to learn Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music.
Sporting Start funded 24 spaces for children from low-income families in Wester Hailes and Broomhouse area to attend the October Capoeira Camp. Funding covered coaching and venue hire.
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Murrayfield Wanderers FC 2021 October Rugby Camp
Sporting Start provided funding to open up Murrayfield Wanderers FC three-day P4-P7 October Rugby Camp to 21 children from Wester Hailes area who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to participate in this camp due to financial or other barriers. Many rugby journeys were started and the camp was an opportunity for these children to increase their confidence, build their resilience, enjoy themselves and most importantly create a ‘hook’ for participation in a sport.
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Randori Judo Club, Midlothian
In December 2020, we provided funding for additional membership spaces and new equipment which will enable many more young people in the local community to access Judo and benefit from all the physical and mental wellbeing involved.
Spartans Community Football Academy Para-football
Our second project with Spartans Community Football Academy was started in January 2020. Sporting Start has provided funding to help support para-football coaching for special needs schools in Edinburgh, enabling 65 children to participate weekly. Funding covers coaching staff costs and equipment.
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City of Edinburgh Basketball Club
In December 2019, Sporting Start provided funding to City of Edinburgh Basketball Club for new portable equipment and allow the club to do vital outreach work for across the city. In 2020, using the new equipment, the club will be taking the sport to children in North Edinburgh with the aim of getting more young people involved in the sport and living a a healthier more active lifestyle.
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Leith Rugby Club
Sporting Start provided funding to Leith Rugby Club towards the cost of running Leith Vixens and rugby festivals for children in the Leith Academy cluster of primary schools. Additionally we supplied playing kit, secure storage for it, transport costs to get the children to games and coaching fees. Leith Rugby Club have strengthened their relationships with the six local primary schools as they continue to deliver curricular rugby to P4 - P7 children in blocks of 5 – 6 weeks.
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'Hockey Start' with George Watson's College and Watsonians Hockey Club
‘Hockey Start’ is a programme run by George Watson’s College designed to spread the joy of sport, and in particular hockey, to more young people who may not otherwise get the opportunity to participate. Started in February 2019, the project is now in it's 3rd year and funds coaching time to enable all P5 pupils at Gracemount Primary, St Catherine’s Primary and Frogston Primary to enjoy weekly hockey sessions delivered by coaches, all who have played the sport at national or international level. The programme has been expanded to include lunch time hockey club coaching for pupils in P6 /P7 who wish to continue playing hockey.
'Street Football in a Safe Place' with Spartans Community Football Academy
Sporting Start is supporting the north Edinburgh-based football club’s 'Street Football in a Safe Place' programme. Our funding goes towards establishing a boot bank to ensure primary school children have the opportunity to take part by borrowing appropriate footwear. We will also fund a community coach to support Granton Primary School with Saturday morning sport.
Community Youth Programme with Lismore Rugby Club
This project supports Lismore's community youth programme to help fund the delivery of the rugby and personal development programme to the Castlebrae High School cluster of primary schools in Edinburgh. This three year programme will cover the costs of staff time to deliver the programme and sports kit required for the participants.
