Focus Sports in Moray
The Sports Development and Active Schools Teams have six sports that they focus their efforts on to develop in the area among others.
In November 2007 a new Girls’ and Young Women’s Football Development Officer was appointed for the Moray and Aberdeenshire areas. The post is funded through the Big Lottery Young People’s Fund following a successful application which was submitted by the North Region Girls’ Football League Committee. The main aim of this post is to increase participation levels of girls and young women aged 12-25 years in the sport of football across the two local authority areas. The Girls’ and Young Women’s Football Development Officer is Steven Thompson and he can be contacted on either 07826 520084 or by emailing steven.thompson@moray.gov.uk.
Following a public meeting in January 2007 enough interest was raised to start up a basketball club in Moray. In April 2007 the Elgin Eagles Basketball Club was formed which enabled 16 year olds and upwards the opportunity to play the sport of basketball. The club has been constantly developing and due to the increased participation levels of basketball at secondary school level a new cadet session has started at the club for 11-15 year olds. The club meets at Elgin Academy on a Tuesday evening from 5.30-6.30pm for 11-15 year olds and from 6.30-8pm for 16 year olds and upwards. The club is currently playing friendly matches against North opposition with the eventual aim being to join a league in the North area to get regular competition.
| Rugby is a popular sport in Moray and over recent years it has been developing significantly in the Elgin and Buckie areas. There are five rugby clubs in the Moray area: Moray RFC, Buckie RFC, RAF Kinloss, RAF Lossiemouth and Elgin City RFC. | ![]() |
Tennis has been a focus sport in Moray for a number of years. Moray has tennis clubs in Cullen, Keith, Aberlour, Elgin, Rothes and Forres. The local tennis clubs as well as the Moray Council’s sports development team provide coaching for juniors to develop their ability in the game. Representatives from each of the local clubs, from Active Schools and Sports Development make up a development group called the Moray Tennis Forum. This forum helps to develop the sport of tennis across the area. The forum has set up development squads for talented junior tennis players to help them develop and participate regularly in competition.
Cricket
| Cricket has been another sport which has been a main focus in Moray for a number of years. Moray has cricket clubs in Buckie, Keith, Fochabers, Elgin, RAF Kinloss and Forres. Moray Cricket Association is a development group in which representatives from all the local clubs, Active Schools, Sports Development, NOSCA and the Scottish Cricket Union are involved. . |
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Badminton has a development group in Moray that is comprised of people interested in the sport of badminton along with representatives from Active Schools and Sports Development. The development group is well established with an excellent junior structure in place at both participation and development level. There is a major need to establish structured clubs in the area that include junior sections as currently there is a large number of recreational sessions in place but no league or proper club structure.
| The Active Schools and Sports Development teams are not exclusive in developing the above six sports. Depending on need identified other sports are supported/ focussed on when the need arises or at a particular period throughout the year | ![]() |