Scottish Ministers had the opportunity to whet their appetite for the 2026 Commonwealth Games by joining young people in Dalmarnock for the Move 2 mini-Commonwealth games.
On Monday, 2nd March, the vibrant atmosphere at the Emirates Arena was palpable as Kebba Sanneh, an esteemed Local Community Impact Leader, put the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport, Maree Todd, along with around 50 eager young athletes, through their paces. Their activities included exhilarating events such as Capture the Flag, Javelin, and relays, showcasing not only their athleticism but also their zest and enthusiasm for the coming Commonwealth Games.
Even Finnie, not wanting to miss out on the Commonwealth Games fun, made an appearance, though it was clear he couldn’t quite match the youthful talent demonstrated that day!
The Dalmarnock Move 2 project stands out as a collaborative effort involving scottishathletics, Athletics Trust Scotland, and Scottish Sports Futures. This initiative aims to make athletics more accessible to young people and has already been attracting over 50 participants each week.
The project facilitates a range of athletics-based activities that focus on the fundamental movements of running, jumping, pushing, and throwing. Additionally, the sessions are enriched with multi-sport activities, ensuring a well-rounded approach to physical fitness and fun.
During the event, Colin Hutchison, the CEO of scottishathletics, took the opportunity to engage with Minister Todd about the critical importance of community projects like Move 2. “These initiatives are essential for creating sustainable community inclusion and participation in coaching, which leads to improved physical, mental, social, and psychological health for young people,” he emphasized.
“Move 2 is turning out to be a game-changer for athletics in Scotland,” Colin added, “providing a much-needed positive sporting avenue for youth who might not typically consider athletics as an option or feel a lack of belonging in traditional sports clubs.”
He expressed a clear vision: “We’re developing relationship-based pathways into clubs for those interested in giving athletics a try. It’s about creating safe, sustainable avenues to support growth in athletics amongst communities that may feel new to the sport — or sports in general.” He poignantly noted the observable improvements in participants’ mental and physical health.
In an uplifting statement, Maree Todd remarked: “I’ve had a wonderful evening with young people during this mini-Commonwealth Games in Dalmarnock. Their excitement for Glasgow 2026 is truly inspiring.”
She highlighted the broader implications of the Community Impact Programme, explaining, “Sport can be so much more than just physical activity — it serves as a powerful driver of social change, opening opportunities for communities that often face barriers to accessing active lifestyles.”
Minister Todd praised the initiative for its alignment with government priorities, stating it aims to tackle health inequalities and bolster community resilience. “Every young person, irrespective of their background, disability, or cultural identity, should have the chance to thrive and engage in physical activity,” she stated with conviction.
Looking to the future, Todd expressed optimism about the program’s potential to expand and reach more communities across Scotland.
Notes:
Athletics Trust Scotland (ATS) champions the transformative power of athletics and running. The charity is passionately committed to facilitating access for underrepresented communities in athletics, empowering them to reap the myriad health and social benefits that arise from a more active lifestyle. Recently, ATS received significant funding to support track use at the Emirates Arena from the Get Active Glasgow Fund, a collaborative initiative involving Glasgow Life, the London Marathon Foundation, and sportscotland.
Meanwhile, Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) leverages sport as a catalyst to help young individuals become healthier, more confident, and resilient, equipping them to face challenges such as poverty, trauma, and adversity. SSF endeavors to empower young people living in difficult environments to become champions for change in society.
