Aspiring sport stars in East Dunbartonshire – prepare to have a ball, raise a racket and make a splash!
Children and young people are being offered free access to local pools, pitches and courts between 26 June and 16 August 2026 as part of a sizzling ‘Summer of Sport’.
East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLCT) has secured funding from sportscotland to provide opportunities to get active in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch for anyone under the age of 18 or still at school.
Young people, as well as families with children, can book a variety of courts and pitches for free:
Allander Leisure Centre, Milngavie Road, Bearsden, G61 3DF (call 0141 777 3070):
- Book an indoor court to play badminton, pickleball or tennis (one per day), with loan equipment available
- Swim in the main/training pools – no booking required, just turn up and prepare to dive in!
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre, Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch, G66 3DD (call 0141 578 8222):
- Book an indoor court for badminton or pickleball (one per day), with loan equipment available
- Book an outdoor five-a-side football pitch (please bring your own ball)
- Swim in the main/training pools (no booking required).
The Leisuredrome, 147 Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, G64 3HD (call 0141 777 3060):
- Book an indoor court for badminton or pickleball (one per day), with loan equipment available
- Book an outdoor five-a-side football pitch (please bring your own ball)
- Swim in the main/training pools (no booking required).
Huntershill Sports Hub, 35 Auchinairn Road, Bishopbriggs, G64 1RU (call 0141 777 3061):
- Book an outdoor court to play tennis (one per day), with loan equipment available.
Pitches and courts can be booked by young people aged eight and above (one per day) – up to 24 hours in advance. Call the centre or pop in.
We're thrilled to be working in partnership with sportscotland to provide free activities.
For swimming, if there's space then young people can take the plunge as many times as they like (under-eights must be supervised).
If you're a parent/guardian/carer, you can book to play on a pitch or court with your child(ren) for free (one per day).
For more information, including FAQs, visit the event web page.
Karin Jackson, General Manager of EDLCT, said, "We're thrilled to be working in partnership with sportscotland to provide free activities.
If you're inspired by the World Cup, Wimbledon or the Commonwealth Games – it's game on!
"The extra funding secured is being used to provide more opportunities for children, young people and families to get physically active as part of the 2026 ‘Summer of Sport’.
"We hope it will help to inspire everyone to see what's on offer locally – including young people from low-income households, those with additional support needs, single parents, girls and young women, and the care experienced."
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.”
Please note:
- Due to the current level of regular bookings, football pitches at the Allander are not part of the local programme
- Sauna and steam rooms are for over-18s only and not included
- If you are a local sports club, please book via the usual process
- All court and pitch bookings are unsupervised. Children under eight must be accompanied – including swimming sessions.
* If you're an East Dunbartonshire sports club interested in providing reduced cost or free activities for children and young people, get in touch to see how EDLCT can help – email active.schools@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
* Are you aged 16-26 and keen to volunteer in sport or enhance your CV? Free training opportunities are available across a wide variety of sports until the end of March 2027 – email active.schools@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
