Sport for Change Grants

Live Active Leisure in partnership with The Gannochy Trust are pleased to offer grants of up to £1000 to create new sport for change projects in 2026.

This year, we are continuing to invite applications from our accredited Sports Clubs and Community Sports Hubs, but we are also inviting applications from community groups or third sector organisations who work in Perth & Kinross to tackle inequalities.

A fundamental part of the application, and the successful awarding of funds, is that the project is delivered in partnership. This means that if the lead applicant is a Third Sector Organisation, they must be partnered up with a PACES Club/Hub to deliver the project. The reverse of this is true if the lead applicant is a PACES Club/Hub.

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What is Sport for Change?

Sport for change means using sport and physical activity intentionally to bring about positive benefits for individuals and communities, which address specific needs.

2026 Priorities

The aim of our sport for change funding is to address three priority inequalities that are preventing local people in Perth & Kinross accessing sport and physical activity opportunities.

Priority one – projects that engage adult women in sports participation, coaching and/or volunteering.

Example – a cricket club partners with a minority communities hub to offer a weekly women’s cricket activity (CRICHIIT) which is a volunteer led fitness class that also incorporates cricket skills. Funding supports venue hire costs and coach development to empower the women participating to be trained to deliver future CRICHIIT sessions.

Priority two – projects that support people to have improved mental health

Example – a football club partners with a local men’s mental health support service to offer weekly football training sessions to improve social connections. The football activity is paired with peer mentoring, and monthly reflective workshops to support positive mental health. Funding supports venue hire costs and resources/refreshments for the reflective workshops.

Priority three – projects that support people affected by the cost of living

Example – a boxing club partners with a local parenting group with children aged 0-3 years to offer free drop in daytime weekday sessions, targeting people who would struggle to come and exercise because of the cost of taking part, and the cost of arranging childcare. Funding supports venue costs, and a coach to plan and deliver parent and child friendly activity.

Projects out with our three key priority areas

If you have an interesting sport for change project idea that is out with our three key priority areas, we welcome applicants to get in touch with us to discuss your project idea before application. We may also be able to help with linking up with a third sector partner organisation.

Grant Guidelines

Application Questions

Application Form

The 2026 Sport for Change Grant recipients are:

Priority one – projects that engage adult women in sports participation, coaching and/or volunteering

Meigle Cricket Club & Alyth Youth Partnership

Girls only coached sessions at Blairgowrie High’s ‘School of Cricket’ and girls only summer sessions in Alyth and Meigle using CricHIIT and female cricket role models to facilitate the activity sessions.

Salle Ossian Fencing Club & Solution Risposte

A specialised rehabilitation programme using sabre fencing to aid the physical and emotional recovery of breast cancer survivors to assist in muscle regeneration and lymphoedema management.

Adventure Circus SCIO & HerSpace (Salvation Army)

Weekly hula hoop movement sessions supporting and encouraging women who are peri-menopausal / menopausal / post menopausal and/or engaged with local groups such as HerSpace, to take part in regular physical activity.

Kinross Volleyball Club & PLUS Perth

Coached mini-volleyball (3 v 3) sessions for girls linked to PLUS Perth to increase physical activity, concentration skills and team work through problem solving and communication skills.

Select PACES clubs and Perth & Kinross Disability Sport (SCIO)

A multisports event for women and girls with physical or learning disabilities, vision impairment or hearing loss to try a variety of sports in partnership with PACES clubs, including Perth Strathtay Harriers, Glenearn Badminton Club as well as clubs new to disability inclusion.

River Tay Community Sport Hub & Perth Women’s Aid & RASACPK

A targeted paddlesport programme for adult women experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma-related mental health challenges.

Priority two – projects that support people to have improved mental health

Tayside Judo Club & MCR Pathways at Perth Grammar School

Four one‑year judo scholarships will be created for pupils engaged with MCR Pathways, to join Tayside Judo. Scholarships will fully remove financial barriers and include SGB membership, grading opportunities, event entry, and all club fees to ensure a complete judo experience and consistency for the scholars.