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Summer of Sport is game on for North Ayrshire
A nationwide summer programme of free and low-cost sporting activity has been launched and part of it will be delivered alongside North Ayrshire Council in partnership with sportscotland.
The £20 million 2026 Summer of Sport initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, will offer young people aged three to 26 the opportunity to get active and maybe try something new.
This summer, it’s game on, and the 2026 Summer of Sport is a unique opportunity for communities across Scotland to embrace the excitement of sport and physical activity.
With activities running throughout the summer and beyond, young people across our North Ayrshire’s six localities will have access to a range of free events, helping to remove barriers to participation and ensure more young people have the chance to get involved.
The Connected Communities team has also engaged with primary and secondary aged school children over the last few months to identify the types of activities they would like to see in the area.
Alongside our main partner KA:Leisure, North Ayrshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service including Locality Teams, North Ayrshire Youth Work and North Ayrshire Active Schools, are working with a network of partners to ensure these opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of background.
The funding will enable the delivery of activities designed to help young people develop healthy habits, build stronger social connections, and foster a lifelong love of movement.
Council officers will be working to ensure that the breadth of 2026 Summer of Sport activities positively influence as many young people as possible, fostering engagement in sport and outdoor activities across all communities.
Quote: With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games just around the corner, we are set for a landmark summer of sport in Scotland. North Ayrshire Council is proud to be one of the 32 Scottish local authorities to be benefitting from the 2026 Summer of Sport programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people aged 3 – 26 to try something new, get active, and experience the joy of physical activity in their local communities. Whether it’s through sport, outdoor events, or community-based activities and family fun days, our goal is to make these opportunities available to everyone, regardless of background.”
Quote from: Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands
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 programme is designed to remove barriers to participation, helping young people build confidence, make new friends, improve wellbeing and develop a lifelong love of being active.
A wide variety of activities will take place across communities throughout the summer, with specific sessions, venues and times listed for each local area.
Confirmed events for July to August 2026 can be found in the catalogue on the Community Planning Partnership Website. Please note Arran events begin next week...
Events happening week commencing Monday 20 July:
Arran
• Saturday 25 July: Community Sports Hubs Open Day at Arran Community Sports Hub 10-3pm
Three Towns
Bookable events – book here: https://tinyurl.com/3cswwaum
• Tuesday 21 July: KA Leisure Doon The Beach Multi Sports Area, Age 11+ Ardeer Multi Use Games Area 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 21 July: Table Tennis for Age 11+ at Ardrossan Youth Centre 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Wednesday 22 July: Age 8+ Outdoor Bowling Taster Sessions and Coaching, Auchenharvie Academy and Ardrossan Outdoor Bowling Club 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Thursday 23 July: Age 8+ Outdoor Bowling Taster Sessions and Coaching, Auchenharvie Academy and Ardrossan Outdoor Bowling Club 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Monday 27 July: Pool and Darts Age 11+ at Ardrossan Youth Centre 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: KA Leisure Doon The Beach Multi Sports Area, Age 11+ Ardeer Multi Use Games Area 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: Table Tennis for Age 11+ at Ardrossan Youth Centre 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Wednesday 29 July: Age 8+ Outdoor Bowling Taster Sessions and Coaching, Auchenharvie Academy and Ardrossan Outdoor Bowling Club 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Thursday 30 July: Age 8+ Outdoor Bowling Taster Sessions and Coaching, Auchenharvie Academy and Ardrossan Outdoor Bowling Club 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Wednesday 29 July: Pool and Darts Age 11+ at Ardrossan Youth Centre 12-2pm BOOK NOW!
Kilwinning
• Monday 20 July: Kilwinning Fun Day at Kilwinning Library, 12-3pm drop-in
• Wednesday 22 July: Basketball Sessions at Kilwinning Academy 6.30-8.30pm drop-in
• Friday 24 July: Kilwinning Sports Club Tennis sessions with 2 coaches drop-in (10-12pm primary age) and (1-3pm secondary age)
• Saturday 25 July: Street Games Showdown at Woodwynd Community Centre, 11am drop-in
• Friday 31 July: Kilwinning Sports Club Tennis sessions with 2 coaches drop-in (10-12pm primary age) and (1-3pm secondary age)
Irvine
Bookable events – book here: https://tinyurl.com/5ec7y5ww
• Tuesday 21 July: Eglinton Park Trip Age 11+ Meet at Greenwood Academy, 11– 2pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 21 July: Football, Volleyball & Uni-hoc taster sessions Age 11+, Greenwood Academy 11-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Wednesday 22 July: Biking taster sessions Age 11+, Greenwood Academy 11am-2pm, Greenwood Academy BOOK NOW!
• Thursday 23 July: Multi-sports taster sessions Age 11+, Greenwood Academy 10-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Thursday 23 July: Multi-sports and Bouncestation taster sessions Age 11+, Greenwood Academy
10-2pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: Football, Volleyball, Basketball Taster Sessions Age 11+, Greenwood Academy BOOK NOW! 11-2pm
• Wednesday 29 July: Table tennis and pool taster sessions Age11+, Greenwood Academy 11-2pm, Greenwood Academy BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: Eglinton Park Trip Age 11+ Meet at Greenwood Academy, 11–2pm BOOK NOW!
North Coast
• Tuesday 21 July: Inverclyde Sports Club open access to tennis courts, 12-4pm drop-in
• Tuesday 21 July: Inverclyde Sports Club open access to football pitches, 12-4pm drop-in
• Thursday 23 July: Inverclyde Sports Club Pop Up Sports Day, 11-2pm, drop-in
Garnock Valley
Bookable events, book here: https://tinyurl.com/mz5ra6rw
• Monday 20 July: Zumba for young people at Beith Community Centre, 11-12pm BOOK NOW!
• Monday 20 July: Darts afternoons for 12yrs plus at Beith Community Centre, 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 21 July: Kilbirnie Park Pop Up, drop-in 2-4pm
• Wednesday 22 July: Dalry Park Pop Up, drop-in 2-4pm
• Friday 24 July: Akido at Beith Community Centre, 4.30-7.30pm BOOK NOW!
• Fridays 31 July: Akido at Beith Community Centre, 4.30-7.30pm BOOK NOW!
• Thursdays 23, 30 July: Badminton at Beith Community Centre, 11-12pm BOOK NOW!
• Monday 27 July: Zumba for young people at Beith Community Centre, 11-12pm BOOK NOW!
• Monday 27 July: Darts afternoons for 12yrs plus at Beith Community Centre, 1-3pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: Football at Beith Community Centre, 6-7pm BOOK NOW!
• Tuesday 28 July: Barrmill Community Centre age11+ drop-in, 2-4pm
• Thursday 30 July: P1 – P7 Football, Rugby, Racket Sports at Dalry Public Park 1pm-3pm BOOK NOW!
Have a great summer of sport everyone! Head on over to the North Ayrshire Council newsfeed for more on what is happening this week!
Published: 20 July 2026