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Scottish Rowing secures investment to extend reach through Summer of Sport

Posted: 26 May 2026

Scottish Rowing has secured £35,000 of investment from sportscotland to deliver a national programme of rowing activity as part of the 2026 Summer of Sport.

The programme will be delivered through Scottish Rowing’s network of clubs and community partners, with a mix of club-based and outreach activity shaped around local need.

A core focus will be increasing delivery capacity within the sport. The funding will support the recruitment, training and deployment of a new cohort of young coaches and leaders, working alongside existing club coaches to expand opportunities across Scotland, delivering around 1,000 additional hours of coaching across clubs and communities.

This additional capacity will enable clubs and partners to deliver accessible opportunities, including Come and Try sessions and short introductory programmes, with activity provided free at the point of access to help remove barriers to participation.

Participants will be supported beyond their initial experience, with clear pathways into Learn to Row activity and ongoing club participation, alongside targeted support to help those facing financial barriers continue in the sport.

Delivery will take place across urban, rural and coastal communities, supporting access in areas where opportunities are currently more limited.

The programme will run from summer 2026 through to March 2027, supporting sustained engagement in rowing beyond the summer period.

Chief Executive of Scottish Rowing, Lee Boucher, said:

 “This investment allows us to extend our reach and respond directly to the growing demand we’re seeing across the sport. Clubs are working hard to provide opportunities, but capacity hasn’t kept pace with interest.

“Through this programme, we’ll make rowing more visible and accessible in more communities across Scotland - creating opportunities for children and young people who may not otherwise have access to the sport.

“Just as importantly, we’re investing in the people who make the sport happen. By supporting and developing a new cohort of young coaches, we can increase capacity within clubs and create stronger foundations for the future.”

 Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:

 “At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”

The 2026 Summer of Sport is a £20 million Scottish Government initiative, facilitated by sportscotland, providing free and low-cost opportunities for children and young people aged three to 26 to get active in their local communities, including Scottish Rowing’s work to extend access to the sport across Scotland.

To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: sportscotland.org.uk/2026

To get involved with rowing throughout the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: Summer of Sport - Scottish Rowing

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