New Fund Offers Major Opportunity for Bowls Clubs

Bowls Scotland is encouraging affiliated clubs to explore an exciting new funding opportunity through the sportscotland Club Support Programme, which has been designed to help strengthen clubs through investment in paid roles that support growth, inclusion, sustainability and long-term development.

The fund will support clubs to employ part-time or full-time staff who can increase capacity, enhance participation opportunities and help build stronger club structures, while working alongside and supporting volunteers. Funding is available for up to three years, with the potential for a fourth year of support.

To help clubs respond to the opportunity within the application timescales, Bowls Scotland has developed three proposed hub models based on both sportscotland's priorities and feedback received from clubs in recent years about growing and diversifying membership.

The proposed models are:

• Youth Hubs – focused on growing junior membership, delivering outreach activity and providing high-quality coaching opportunities for young people.

• Disability Inclusion Hubs – aimed at increasing participation among people with disabilities while improving accessibility and inclusion within clubs.

• Women's Hubs – designed to attract and retain more female bowlers through targeted coaching and development activity.

Under the proposed models, clubs would employ a part-time coaching and development officer (approximately 10 hours per week) to lead activity and help establish their club as a local hub for their chosen target group.

Bowls Scotland believes collaboration between clubs will be key to maximising the impact of the programme. Hub activities may be opened to members of neighbouring clubs, helping to increase participation opportunities, improve member retention and strengthen local bowls communities.

Importantly, clubs are not required to adopt one of the Bowls Scotland models. Alternative proposals will be considered, provided they align with the sportscotland funding criteria and are developed in partnership with Bowls Scotland.

Funding Available

sportscotland will contribute up to 90% of eligible employment costs, up to a maximum of £30,000 per post per year. Clubs following the Bowls Scotland model would typically apply for around £9,000 per year, with clubs required to provide a minimum 10% partnership contribution (approximately £1,000 per year). 

The programme is intended to deliver measurable outcomes including:

• Growth in club membership.

• Increased diversity among participants and volunteers.

• Improved retention and sustained participation.

• Stronger volunteer and workforce structures within clubs.

​​Information Sessions and Next Steps

Club main contacts have now been emailed with full details of the opportunity, including the Bowls Scotland proposed models and a detailed FAQ document.

• Information Sessions: 2pm and 6pm on both 16th and 20th July 2026

• Expression of Interest deadline: 2nd August 2026

• Application submission deadline: 18th September 2026

Expression of Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/e/h46H1azLVW

This is a significant opportunity for clubs to invest in their future, grow participation and create more inclusive, sustainable environments that will benefit bowling communities across Scotland for years to come.