Active Dundee, in partnership with sportscotland, is proud to announce the launch of two thematic community sports hubs aimed at strengthening inclusion and increase participation within community sport in the city.
The Champions of Change Network will consist of two groups focused on:
- Women & Girls in Sport.
- Supporting individuals with Additional Support Needs into sport.
The networks will bring together passionate individuals, sports clubs, and community organisations committed to creating positive change and building a more inclusive sporting environment in Dundee.
What is the Champions of Change Network?
The Champions of Change Network is part of sportscotland’s national community sport hubs programme that brings together individuals, sports clubs and community organisations to improve sport and physical activity in our communities.
Women & Girls in Sport Network
This network has been developed in response to ongoing inequalities in participation. Current data from the Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport shows that males make up 64% of club sport participants in Dundee, compared to just 36% females. Many local clubs have identified increasing female participation as a priority, and recent research by Dundee Active Schools found that only 14% of girls aged 9–15 meet daily physical activity guidelines.
The new Women & Girls in Sport network will focus on:
- Understanding and addressing barriers to participation
- Supporting females into coaching, volunteering and leadership roles
- Creating a collaborative space to share challenges, solutions and success stories
The first gathering will take place on Monday 2nd March 2026 at the Regional Performance Centre, Dundee, with further gatherings to take place quarterly throughout the year.
Additional Support Needs (ASN) Network
The ASN network aims to improve access to sport and physical activity for individuals with additional support needs. According to Dundee Active Schools research, 30% of Dundee pupils are identified as having an ASN. National findings from the Scottish Disability Sport National Survey 2025 show that almost one in five people with a disability report doing zero days of physical activity, while 73% say they would like to be more active.
This network will:
- Bring together advocates for equality in sport
- Develop inclusive opportunities within community sport
- Share best practice and resources to remove barriers
The first gathering will be held on Monday 23rd February, 2026 at RPC Dundee, with further gatherings to take place quarterly throughout the year.
Both networks aim to empower local people to drive change and strengthen the capacity of sports clubs across Dundee. Through collaborative working, the new networks aim to build a more inclusive sporting environment where women, girls and individuals with additional support needs can participate confidently and consistently.
Alison Mackenzie, Community Sport Hub Officer with Active Dundee said
“We are excited to be launching two new thematic networks in Dundee and are looking for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, sports clubs and community organisations, who are passionate about equality, inclusion and increasing opportunities in sport for women & girls and individuals with additional support needs, to join us on this journey and apply to be part of either network”.
James Fenna, Active Schools and Community Sport Hub Manager with Active Dundee also encouraged individuals to join the collaboration
“Sport has the power to bring people together and create lasting change. Through the Champions of Change Network, we want to break down barriers and ensure that everyone in Dundee, regardless of gender or ability, has the opportunity to participate, lead and thrive in sport. These networks are about collaboration, action and making inclusion the norm, not the exception.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “The community sport hub network plays a significant role in increasing sporting opportunities in communities across the country.
“It’s fantastic to see the Champions of Change network launch, it will be a valuable initiative in reducing or removing barriers to sport for the people of Dundee and I look forward to seeing its progress.”
For further information or to apply to be part of the Champions of Change Network please contact alison.mackenzie@leisureandculturedundee.com. The closing date for applications is Friday 30th of January.