Sports Development
Tel: 01343 557146
Email: sports.development@moray.gov.uk
Sports Development - Target Sports
Focus Sports in Moray
The Sports Development and Active Schools Teams have a number of key sports that they focus their efforts on to develop in the area among others. These key sports will change over time depending on popularity and sustainability. The key sports currently in Moray are;
Girls’ Football
In November 2008 a Girls’ and Young Women’s Football Development Assistant was appointed for the Moray area. This post is funded alongside an officers post for Aberdeenshire area through the Big Lottery Young People’s Fund. Following a successful application which was submitted by the North Region Girls Football League Committee. The main aim of this post is to increase participation levels of girls and young women aged 12-25 years in the sport of football across the two local authority areas. The Girls’ and Young Women’s Football Development is Finella Annand and she can be contacted on either 07891 123406 or by emailing finella@nrgfl.com.
Basketball
Due to increased popularity in the sport of basketball in April 2007 the Elgin Eagles Basketball Club was formed to provide opportunities for people to play the sport. In their fledging season in 2008/09 the club won the Grampian League and the Silver Cup which was a fantastic achievement. the Club have a very strong ethos in providing for all ages particularly young people and they provide sessions for primary pupils right through to the adult section. They train and play on Tuesday evenings at Elgin Academy however they do have satellite centres in Forres and Buckie. for further information on the club contact chairperson, Graham Stewart on 07972178790.
Rugby
Rugby is a popular sport in Moray and over recent years it has been developing significantly in the Elgin and Buckie areas. There are four rugby clubs in the Moray area; Moray RFC, Buckie RFC, RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth.
In April 2009 due to successful pooling together of funding by local clubs, The Moray Council and Cashback for Communities through the Scottish Rugby Union a Rugby Development Officer, James Sloggie, was appointed for 3 years in Moray. James has a varied remit however one of his main tasks is to increase participation levels of rugby in Moray schools and develop links to the local clubs.
Representatives of each of the four Clubs, Active Schools, Sports Development and the Scottish Rugby Union sit on a development group, Moray Community Rugby. This group meets regularly to discuss collectively how they can develop the sport ever further in the area. James Sloggie can be contacted on 01343 557147, 07527387549 or by emailing rugby.development@moray.gov.uk
Tennis
Tennis has been a focus sport in Moray for a number of years. Moray has tennis clubs in Cullen, Keith, Aberlour, Elgin, Rothes and Forres. The local tennis clubs as well as the Moray Council’s sports development team provide coaching for juniors to develop their ability in the game. Representatives from each of the local clubs, from Active Schools and Sports Development make up a development group called the Moray Tennis Forum. This forum helps to develop the sport of tennis across the area. The forum has set up development squads for talented junior tennis players to help them develop and participate regularly in competition.
Cricket
Cricket has been another sport which has been a main focus in Moray for a number of years. Moray has cricket clubs in Buckie, Keith, Fochabers, Elgin, RAF Kinloss and Forres. Moray Cricket Association is a development group in which representatives from all the local clubs, Active Schools, Sports Development, NOSCA and the Scottish Cricket Union are involved.
This development group combines their efforts to help develop the sport of cricket in the area. The Moray Cricket Association helps to develop the junior sections of the local clubs, organises annual Kwik Cricket coaching and festivals, develops coach education and organises development squad coaching and matches for talented junior players
Badminton
Badminton has a development group in Moray that is comprised of people interested in the sport of badminton along with representatives from Active Schools and Sports Development. The development group is well established with an excellent junior structure in place at both participation and development level. There is a major need to establish structured clubs in the area that include junior sections as currently there is a large number of recreational sessions in place but no league or proper club structure.
Football
Football is a mass participation sport in Moray and there are many opportunities to play the game in the area at both young and adult level. Moray Council currently have a partnership agreement with the Scottish Football Association, Aberdeen and Ross County Football Clubs to develop the sport in Moray. Ross County and Aberdeen Football Club provide participation centres during term-time and holiday periods for youngsters to participate in as well as coach education. Elgin City football Club also provide opportunities in the community for young people and disabled people to participate in the sport. They also have a structured youth set up for talented players in the area.
Walk, Jog, Run Moray
A new partnership was established in September 2009 bringing the three disciplines of walking, jogging and running together. The voluntary partnership comprises of representatives from the various walking, jogging and running groups/ clubs in Moray and is supported by Moray Councils Sports Development Team and NHS Grampian. The partnership has been formed to enable people to participate in either walking, jogging or running, and have the ability to move along this continuum at ease, at any point. For further information on this please look to their website, www.walkjogrunmoray.org.uk 
The Active Schools and Sports Development Teams are not exclusive to the above sports. Depending on need identified other sports are supported as and when required.
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