Community Games inspire young people in Glasgow through athletics

Thursday 23rd July 2026

Children and young people from communities across Glasgow’s East End recently took part in a Commonwealth Games-inspired celebration event.

The event was delivered by our National Community Impact Team in partnership with Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) and Athletics Trust Scotland, thanks to funding received from the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund.

Our National Community Impact Programme, delivered in partnership with Athletics Trust Scotland (ATS) and Scottish Sports Futures (SSF), currently delivers weekly sessions across the East End of Glasgow, making tweaks to mainstream athletics provision to help break down barriers, and attract and include those not normally involved.

The event allowed two of these groups (Dalmarnock and Parkhead) to come together for the first time to try athletics on an outdoor 400m track, bringing children and young people from different communities together to meet new people, enjoy new experiences and challenge themselves in a safe and supportive space.

Throughout the day, participants were able to try their hand at long jump, hurdles, 100m, high jump, javelin and shot put. As well as introducing them to athletics, it is hoped the event will also help the children and young people to feel more engaged with a home city Commonwealth Games.

The event was supported by our team of Local Community Impact Leaders, who grew up in these communities, as well as volunteers from local club, Shettleston Harriers.

Head of Fundraising and Development at Athletics Trust Scotland, Karen Wilson, said:

‘We are really grateful to have received funding from the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund.

‘It’s allowed us to host an amazing Commonwealth Games-inspired event for the children and young people that we support in the East End of Glasgow, bringing them together for the first time and letting them experience an outdoor 400m track.’

scottishathletics National Community Impact Manager, Andrew Shaw, said:

‘This event was about bringing together the communities we already work with into an athletics space, to experience the sport with other people they might not normally interact with.

‘We want to show athletics is open and accessible to everyone, and we are grateful to our partners at SSF and Shettleston Harriers for helping us to deliver the event.’

Find out more about Athletics Trust Scotland