The capacity of the sporting workforce in Orkney is on the rise thanks to a training programme for coaches and officials ahead of the 2025 Orkney Island Games.
sportscotland have been working with Orkney Islands Council to support the education and development of coaches and officials for the Island Games and beyond. The programme will make sure clubs are well equipped with qualified coaches and officials for years to come and well placed to develop capacity and membership for any increased participation.
The programme has been funded by sportscotland, Orkney 2025 and Orkney Islands Council. So far there have been 174 participants across 27 different training courses and 10 sports. Most of the development opportunities are sport specific with some for all sports. Many of those who have been through the programme will be involved in the Orkney 2025 Island Games in some capacity.
In communities with smaller populations the development of people working in sport is crucial for the long term future of sport in the area. Upskilling of coaches and officials in archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, gymnastics, sailing, squash, swimming and triathlon has been taking place since early last year and will continue in the build up to the Games, making sure there is a lasting benefit for sport in Orkney.
The programme is part of a £1million package of investment from sportscotland for sport in Orkney. The package has aided preparations for Orkney 2025, helping provide competition venues which will become homes for local sport, benefitting schools, Active Schools Orkney, clubs and the local community for generations. Funding to increase staffing at Orkney Community Sports Hub and for athletes was also included.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop: “The upskilling of the sporting workforce in Orkney is something that will be of huge value in the area for years to come. Combined with sportscotland’s other investment in Orkney’s sporting infrastructure it will leave sport in the area in a very good place.
“This programme is part of our ongoing commitment to support sport in Orkney and other rural and island communities across Scotland.”
Paddy Highley is one of the coaches to benefit. Paddy coaches the youth section at Kirkwall Thorfinn Football Club, which has players from primary one up to S4, while he is also involved with the seniors at Orkney FC. He will be part of the coaching team for Orkney’s football team at the Island Games.
The coaching and official development programme has allowed Paddy to go through three levels of SFA coaching, the next step being his C licence.
Paddy said: “I’ve really enjoyed going through the courses and feel I’m a better coach now. One of the biggest things for me was learning how to approach coaching kids versus what I was used to in working with adults. There’s obviously huge differences and I’m better equipped to do both now.
“It is important in Orkney that we do as much as we can with the resource we have. It’s not like the central belt where coaches are far more readily available. It’s been brilliant to see so many people able to increase the standard or their coaching through the programme.”
The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place from 12-18 July 2025. Athletes from 24 island groups will travel to Orkney to take part in what is set to be the largest event ever hosted on the islands, up to 2,500 visitors are expected.
It will be the 20th International Island Games and will mark the event’s 40th year. This week-long competition will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 12 sports.
Gwenda Shearer chairs the Orkney Islands Council committee with responsibility for sport and leisure services in the county: “It’s been incredible to see Orkney’s sporting community rise to the challenge of the Island Games and grasp this opportunity to step up the coaching and officiating expertise available in the county.
“We’re grateful to sportscotland for recognising early on the huge potential to develop our sporting scene leading up to and beyond the Games and for investing in our people and infrastructure needed – the benefits of which will be reaped for years to come by our clubs and athletes.”
Kirsty Talbot, Orkney 2025 Games Director, said: “One of the most important legacies of Orkney 2025 will be the lasting impact on sport in our community. Thanks to support from sportscotland and Orkney Islands Council, this training programme is not only preparing us for a world-class Island Games, but also building strong foundations for the future of sport in Orkney.
“The investment in upskilling coaches and officials will ensure that clubs across the islands continue to thrive long after the Games have ended, inspiring more people to take part and keeping the spirit of sport alive for generations to come.”
