RUGBY, curling, football and bowling clubs are among the latest teams to benefit from the Scottish Plant Owners Association’s (SPOA) Youth Sports Sponsorship programme.
The initiative aims to support under-16s clubs across Scotland with up to £1,000 each, which can be used towards new strips, training tops or equipment.
Selected for 2026 are: Currie Chieftains RFC U15s, Team Kay/Brown Curling Mixed, Stirling County RFC U15s, Laurieston Bowling Club, Blackburn United 2015 U12s Girls FC, and Stoneywood Parkvale Boys Club FC.
The SPOA revealed it received a high volume of applications and it was challenging to select the final six successful recipients. President David Jarvie said “Following the success of the first year of the Youth Sports Sponsorship programme in 2025, we were keen to build on this foundation. Launching ahead of the ‘summer of sport’ this year, it was clear that grassroots sports for young people in Scotland is more popular than ever and that the need for financial support has never been higher.
“Reflecting the diversity of sport in Scotland, we are delighted to award funding not only to staple sports such as rugby and football, but also to clubs that champion more niche sports for young people including curling and bowling. We are looking forward to getting to know these clubs throughout the year and sharing their successes.”
For Laurieston Bowling Club, this funding follows a year of putting bowling on the map for young people, as coach Peter Alexander explained: “In 2025, we became only the ninth club in Scotland to receive a Gold Bowls Mark accreditation from our governing body, Bowls Scotland; and the first local club to receive an Active Schools accreditation from the national agency for sport, Sport Scotland. To encourage the next generation of bowlers, we have established a team of around a dozen Bowls Scotland-trained coaches and PVG-accredited assistants to deliver a wide-ranging programme of initiatives. This includes a free weekly coaching session for over 20 children as well as providing free-to-hire bowls to over 20 children attending coaching sessions at other clubs throughout the district.
“In partnership with Active Schools, we deliver regular taster sessions to over 500 pupils each year including at holiday and multi-sport camps. We are very grateful to the SPOA and will use the funds to purchase additional sets of bowls and bags.”
From Falkirk to Dyce, where the SPOA is supporting a new football club in Stoneywood Parkvale Boys Club FC. The club requested funding for waterproof jackets. Head coach Jonathan Flett said, “New waterproof jackets would make a genuine difference to our players. We train and play throughout the year in the north east of Scotland, where cold, wet and windy conditions are common. Having suitable jackets would help keep the children warm and dry before games, during breaks and while waiting on the sidelines. It would also allow us to continue training safely and comfortably during poorer weather.
“Our club is based in an area where many families face financial pressures. One of our main aims is to reduce barriers to participation and make sure that children are able to play football regardless of their family’s circumstances. We want to avoid passing unnecessary kit costs on to parents, particularly when they are already paying for boots, travel and other football expenses. Providing jackets would also help create a strong club identity and ensure every child feels included as part of the team. This support would have an immediate and lasting impact on our players and families.”
The SPOA will provide regular updates on the teams throughout the year on its website and social media channels.
