Sport & Recreation Development Services

North Lanarkshire Council's Sport and Recreation Development Strategy is based on a vision of a community where all individuals have the right to fully participate in a range of sporting opportunities regardless of income, age or ability, suitable to their needs and sporting aspirations.

• Fit for Life
• Sport Development
• Local Democracy / Volunteer Involvement
• Sport for People with Disabilities
• Major Sporting Events

To provide sporting activities and programmes that will enhance the opportunity for individuals to make informed choices about their health, involvement in meaningful leisure pursuits and achieving personal excellence.

To provide sporting and leisure opportunities that are accessible, sensitively priced and which respond to the diverse needs inherent within the communities of North Lanarkshire.

To establish and strengthen links with external partner agencies charged with the delivery of sport and health related initiatives and promotional programmes.

To increase levels of physical activity for the greater benefit of the health levels of individuals from within North Lanarkshire.

In line with North Lanarkshire Council's strategic aims, the strategy details a commitment to:

• Social Inclusion
• Development of External Partnerships
• Local Democracy
• Equality of Access
• Quality Service Delivery
• Sustainability

North Lanarkshire Council was one of the first Sport Development Team's in the U.K. to achieve the Quest U.K. Standard Award for Sports Development in August 2000.

The Sport Development team are focussed on maintaining and improving the quality of life for everyone in North Lanarkshire, by encouraging partnerships amongst all organisations involved in sport;

Main target sports are as follows;

• Athletics
• Gymnastics
• Sport for People with a Disability
• Area Sports Councils
• Generic Sport (Tri Golf, Badminton etc)
• Swimming
• Target Sports (Youth, 50+ etc)
• Top's Community

North Lanarkshire Executive Sports Council is the umbrella organisation for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Motherwell and Monkland Area Sports Councils. All support local clubs, sporting individuals and coaches through the provision of grant aid, coaching programmes, sporting activities and advice. For further information on funding click on Sports Grants.

With partners the Section organise a series of National Coaching Foundation and Governing Body Courses as part of an ongoing Coaching Strategy. In addition, its Talented Sports Pass Scheme allows talented sports individuals free use of a wide range of sport and recreational facilities operated by NL Leisure.

Health Initiatives

North Lanarkshire Council positively embraces the concept of good health and is playing a vital role in providing the means by which to promote, encourage and educate our local communities about the benefits of good health practices.

A number of initiatives have been established to achieve our strategic aims and these include:

• 'Get Active' - Primary Health Care Scheme

The programme is now available in all main sport centres in North Lanarkshire.  The first 8 sessions are completely free of charge, then 2 months membership at a Passport to Leisure rate. 

• Group Fitness Programme 
• 50's NL Programme 
• NL Slimming
• Kidz NL
• Activ8
• Bodycheck mobile Fitness Assessment Service for Rural and Social Inclusion areas

The recent introduction of the Bodycheck Bus will enhance this programme.

• Workplace Fitness Programme
• GP Exercise Course Programme

Phase 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme is now in 4 main sites across NL and a new falls prevention class in Wishaw.

Major Sporting Events

In addition to the various events being held within NL Leisure sport facilities, we also provide and organise a comprehensive programme of major and community focused sporting events.

The following events comprise part of the major sporting events calendar within North Lanarkshire:

• Sports Personality Awards Ceremony

Held in June each year, this event provides an ideal platform in recognising the wealth of sporting talent within North Lanarkshire as a whole.

• Wishaw Games [ 2 Day]

Held in August at Wishaw Sports Centre, the games are now an established event on the Scottish Disability sporting calendar and indeed are considered to be the largest pan-disability event in Scotland.

• Monkland Half Marathon

Held in May each year from the Time Capsule, Monklands. The half marathon is now well established within The Scottish Athletics Calendar of events and has incorporated various Championship events over the years.

• National Cross Country Relay

Held in October at Cumbernauld Park, Cumbernauld this event is organised in conjunction with Scottish Athletics Limited; with North Lanarkshire Council being the main sponsor over the next four years.

Click on What's On for detailed information on all activities and events.

If you would like further information about our sports development section use the "Contact Us" box that appears on the right-hand side of the screen.