The Sporting Aces

The Sporting Aces is a sport-based community Charity working with adults, young people and children who have a range of physical, learning and communication difficulties. The project is based in Kirkintilloch and surrounding local area.

The aims are:
* The advancement of health through the delivery of sporting and social activities, working with adults, young people and children who have a range of physical, learning and communication difficulties.

* The advancement of public participation in sport through the provision of a multi sports coaching programme. This enables participants to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens.

* To provide a seamless transition from Nursery to adulthood through a structured pathway.

* The advancement of citizenship / community development through the delivery of volunteer programmes for both young people and adults ensuring we have strong, resilient, and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.

Originally set up in 2015 as a small pilot project with just seven players meeting at a local tennis club to enjoy a tennis activity. After securing funding from The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability, the programme saw numbers increase to 30 participants over an eight-week block of tennis coaching. From there on, each year saw an increase in participants attending, and a need to have a sporting activity in the area to support those with support needs to develop healthier lifestyles, increase a sense of mental wellbeing through fun, social activities and to ensure all participants felt part of the community. With local schools involved, more younger participants joined and fast forward 5 years later the not-for-profit organisation became a Charity in 2019 and changed their name to The Sporting Aces.