‘We are running on empty’ – sport governing bodies warn on Holyrood funding

Monday 24th November 2025

Scottish Championship events are vibrant year-to-year but increasing costs may start to impact delivery (photo by Bobby Gavin)

The Scottish Government promised to double annual funding for sport to £100m in their 2021 Programme for Government but with less than six months of this Parliament left, that commitment remains unfulfilled.

Now 39 governing bodies across Scotland, including scottishathletics, are pressing the Government through our Running on Empty campaign, to meet this commitment while highlighting the impact the real terms cut sports have suffered over the last four years.

A copy of the letter sent is detailed below:

Dear First Minister,

Subject: Funding for Sport

‘I am writing on behalf of the senior leaders of sport governing bodies big and small, all across Scotland, to express our concern that because of recent funding decisions, many are now effectively ‘running on empty’ and the important role sport plays in physical and mental health wellbeing, community programmes, greater inclusion and showcasing Scotland on the global stage is increasingly at risk.

‘In the 2021 Programme for Government, the Government pledged to double annual sports funding to £100m by 2026. We believe the argument for investment made back then, still stands now.

‘We will double investment in sport and active living to £100 million a year by the end of the Parliament ensuring more people can enjoy active lives as we recover, improving physical, mental and social health. We will work with sportscotland and partners to understand how best to increase investment in physical activity and sport; while ensuring we address inequality of access.’

‘Our funding remains at the level it was in 2021 which when taking inflation into account is almost a 25% real terms reduction.

‘We understand the challenges your Government has faced. We would like to place on record our appreciation and thanks for the positive conversations we have had both with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Sport over the last year.

‘They have listened closely to our arguments and discussed our proposals, but our organisations are struggling on a daily basis, and the need is urgent.

Chief executive Colin Hutchison has endorsed the call to action by combined group of sport governing bodies (photo by Jamie Simpson)

We have seen recently (Scotland v Denmark), the power sport has to unite, inspire and delight a nation but the heroes on that Hampden pitch, and those who reach the pinnacle in other sports, can only get there thanks to the unseen work done many years before by people in governing bodies building the platform that allows them to perform at the highest level.

‘Total payroll costs of those sporting governing bodies with the greatest reliance on public funding has grown by over £7m in the past four years. Over the same period, sportscotland has only been able to support an increased investment of £1.4m due to funding constraints.

‘The most recent Scottish Household Survey results from 2023 showed that 37% of adults and 38% children do not meet the recommended physical activity levels. This represents a worsening position from prior years.

‘The programme budgets that have been cut are often those that have been used to address issues of inequality or to develop targeted and specific initiatives for underrepresented groups.

‘The reduction in funding has impacted the ability to resource important thematic areas of sports development, including non-competitive sport and active health delivery, areas which closely align to the priority objectives of Government but all areas that are resource intensive.

Our volunteer workforce of dedicated Officials needs support from staff to make events happen (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘At the other end of the scale, we have tried to maintain support for athletes representing their country, rather than passing further cost increases on but an international training camp and competition for a group of Scottish athletes is estimated to have increased in cost by circa 25 – 35% over the past five years. A significant number of athletes who compete on the world stage are now having to self-fund.

‘We recently surveyed our members and each has their own specific story to tell about how it has affected them, but it all adds up to a crisis that has left the governing bodies running on empty.

‘Scotland has the eyes of the sporting world upon us over the next three years starting with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This is something we are all proud of and excited about, but we worry about what comes after. We believe this is a unique opportunity for you and your Government to use these events to secure a legacy that has an impact far beyond sport itself and urge you to do so.

Yours sincerely, Doc McKelvey

Chair, SGB CEO/COO Forum and Chief Executive, Scottish Gymnastics

On behalf of Scottish Governing Body of Sport CEO/COO Forum including the CEO/COO representing;

Badminton Scotland, Basketball Scotland, Bowls Scotland, Boxing Scotland, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Cricket Scotland, Horse Scotland, Judo Scotland, Mountaineering Scotland, Netball Scotland, Paddle Scotland, Ramblers Scotland, Royal Yachting Association Scotland, Scottish Archery Association, Scottish Curling, Scottish Cycling, Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Fencing, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Golf, Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Handball Association, Scottish Hockey Union, Scottish Orienteering Association, Scottish Rowing, Scottish Rugby, Scottish Squash, Scottish Student Sport, Scottish Surfing Association, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Target Shooting, Scottish Volleyball, Scottish Athletics, Snowsport Scotland, Table Tennis Scotland, Tennis Scotland, The Camanachd Association, Triathlon Scotland, Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland