About HSDA

The Highland Sports Development Association, known as HSDA, was set up in 1983 by the eight Local Sports Councils for the development and promotion of sports and physical activities throughout the Highlands. It also acts as a collaborative group to represent the views of the Highland voluntary sporting community in regional and national matters.

It is run by a management committee made up of members from each of the 8 sports councils and an elected member (Councillor) from each of the Area committees of the Highland Council. Other members of the committee include representatives from the following organisations or groups:

• Highland Council (Education, Culture and Sport Service)
• sportscotland
• Highland & Islands Enterprise
• Coaching Highland
• Highland Institute of Sport
• Sports Development Co-ordinators
• Active Schools Co-ordinators
• Sports Specific Developments Officers

The association is affiliated to the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils which is the national agency representing all local sports councils in Scotland.

In 1995, HSDA set up the very successful Gael Force Ten project. The aim of the project was to develop the quality and quantity of sports coaches and coaching in the Highlands. In 2005, Gael Force Ten became Coaching Highland.