About

The Scottish Canoe Association is the National Governing Body for Canoeing in Scotland. The SCA is also a founding member of British Canoeing.

We are a membership organisation comprising around 3200 individual members including 1,750 qualified coaches.

We have a network of affiliated clubs and approved paddlesport providers throughout Scotland offering a range of canoe disciplines.

What we do

Represent our members’ interests within Scotland and, through British Canoeing, in the UK
Support individual and affiliated club development
Work to protect, improve and promote responsible access to water in Scotland and care of the environment
Support the achievements of Scottish paddlers at all levels including the sportscotland funded programmes for Olympic disciplines
Support and improve quality coaching for all forms of canoeing and kayaking
Provide conferences, exhibitions, events, tours and competitions
Publish information for members, on our website, in “Scottish Paddler” and in books such as Scottish White Water and the Scottish Touring Guide.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch via our contact page.

How we work

The SCA Board is responsible for high-level planning, governance, and compliance with legislation. SCA Committees deal with specific paddling development and planning and therefore play a key role in the delivery of SCA activities. The Board and Committees are strongly supported by employed staff in areas of Coaching & Development, Performance and Administration. Details of all Board members, Committee members and Staff can be found on the Contact page. Further details of the Committee structure and roles can be seen below.


SCA Committees An overview of the committee structure can be viewed here, and below are the terms of reference for each of the committees. Access & Environment Policy Committee - represent SCA Members’ concerning issues in the access and environment field with other governmental organisations, NGOs and other Sports Governing Bodies, and attempt to influence Scottish policy on access. Access & Environment Network - represents SCA Members’ concerning ongoing issues in the access and environment field, and take action to resolve issues. Coaching & Development Committee - supports and represents SCA members, affiliated clubs and communities with their paddlesport needs and contribute to the delivery of the British Canoeing Coaching Scheme in Scotland. Discipline Committees - supports and develops each discipline within the scope of the SCA and to provide opportunities for SCA members to participate and achieve success which matches their ambitions and ability. The current discipline committees are:- Canoe Polo, Marathon Racing, Slalom, Sprint Racing, Surf, Wild Water Racing Recreation Committee - supports and represents SCA members, affiliated clubs and communities with their recreational paddlesport needs and contribute to the safe delivery of recreational events/activities across Scotland. Recreation Event Organising Committee – responsible for safe, fun and effective organisation of a specific event, activity or series of activities. Related Files: SCA committee structure Access & Environment Network Terms of Reference Access & Environment Policy Committee Terms of Reference Discipline Committee Terms of Reference Coaching and Development Committee Terms of Reference Recreation Committee Terms of Reference Event Committee Terms of Reference
SCA Policies and Documents Related Files: Anti Fraud Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy Anti Bullying and Anti Harassment Policy Event Booking and Membership Terms and Conditions Procurement Policy E-group Terms and Conditions Code of Conduct Conflict of Interests Policy SCA Brand Guidelines SCA Data Protection Policy SCA Data Protection Requirements for Clubs and Event Organisers Grievance handling procedures Safeguarding Policy 2016-2017 British Canoeing Insurance Schedule 2016-2017 British Canoeing Insurance Summary 2016-2017 British Canoeing Employers Liability Insurance Certificate SCA Minute Taking Guidance SCA Equality Group TOR Related Links: BCU Anti-Doping Policy
SCA Plan 2017-2021 The Strategic Plan for the period 2017-2021 was developed between January and September 2016 in consultation with members and partners. There are 7 areas of focus in addition to the current SCA activities: These are underpinned by: Good governance Equality and inclusion Sound infrastructure, systems and reporting People who are engaged, committed and well trained Partnerships Safety Related Files: SCA Strategic Plan 2017-2021
Director Appointments 2017 The SCA Board has an important role - overseeing the work of the SCA, setting the direction for the organisation and being accountable for what is done in the name of the SCA. It monitors and checks on progress that we make growing the sport and making the sport more accessible to all. Applications for directors are especially welcome from individuals within groups currently under-represented on the SCA Board, such as women, disabled people, those from black and minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50. Participation in director meetings can be via online conferencing as well as by attending meetings in person Each autumn, at the AGM, three directors are appointed for a three-year term. This fits with the board having 9 regular posts and a third of the directors being appointed each year. This year the appointments will be: Chair - to chair the board's business and provide leadership to the board Competition Director - to support the discipline committees as they develop the different forms of competition in scotland and to be the voice of competition organisers and paddlers on the Board General Director - to contribute to the overall work of the SCA Board In 2018 the three posts to be appointed will be: Finance Director, Recreation Director and a General Director. Then in 2019 it will be: General Secretary, President and another General Director post. SCA Directors can be from within or outwith paddlesport for the Chair and General Director roles but the Competition Director will need to demonstrate enthusiasm and knowledge of this area of the sport. The role description and person specification for each role are published below and set out the experience, personal characteristics and time commitment required. There is also a form to register ‘Interests’ so that these can be successfully managed according to the SCA Conflicts of Interest Policy. All Director roles require a degree of experience and expertise serving on other boards and/or committees and candidates will be expected to demonstrate a good knowledge of governance, compliance, finance and of developing and implementing vision and strategy. The SCA Appointments Committee oversees appointments to the board and is tasked with ensuring that at any time, at least 25% of the Board shall be independent Directors, and that the make up of the board should become more diverse and more representative of the paddling community and the Scottish population Related Files: Chair Job Desc & Person Spec Competition Director Job Desc & Person Spec General Director Job Desc & Person Spec Director Application form 2017 (MS Word) Director Application form 2017 (PDF)