An international youth exchange between Inverness and the German city of Augsburg has successfully taken place in the Highlands, with a reciprocal visit set to continue next week.
The Inverness - Augsburg Sporting Alliance brings together young people, coaches and volunteers to share knowledge, develop skills and build lasting relationships through sport. The initiative is led by The Highland Council in partnership with High Life Highland, sportscotland, local clubs and governing bodies, alongside the Augsburg District Branch of the Bavarian Youth Sports Association (BSJ), the Youth Division of the Bavarian Sports Confederation.
The exchange forms part of the 2026 celebrations marking 70 years of town twinning between Inverness and Augsburg, a partnership established in 1956 to promote friendship, cultural understanding and long-term social and economic links.
Provost of Inverness and Area, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our friends from Augsburg to Inverness as part of this important exchange programme which is supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund. The Sporting Alliance highlights the strength of our 70-year twinning relationship and shows how sport can bring people together in a meaningful and lasting way.
“By investing in young people, volunteers and community sport, we are building connections that will benefit both our cities for many years to come. I look forward to seeing our Inverness delegation continue this work when they visit Augsburg next week.”
Showcasing sport, culture and community in the Highlands
A delegation of young people from Augsburg recently visited Inverness and the surrounding area, taking part in a wide-ranging programme blending sport, culture and civic engagement. Highlights of the visit included:
- A practical rugby development session with Highland Rugby Club, focusing on inclusive coaching and youth pathways.
- A shinty experience delivered by the Camanachd Association, showcasing one of Scotland’s traditional sports.
- Visits to key facilities including Inverness Leisure, Bught Park and Glenmore Lodge, highlighting participation and performance pathways.
- Strategic workshops and presentations with sportscotland and High Life Highland, exploring community sport delivery, High Life Highland’s Youth Leadership Programme, funding structures and partnership models.
- A civic reception at Inverness Town House (hosted by the Provost), recognising the importance of the international partnership.
Steve Walsh, Chief Executive, High Life Highland said: “The Inverness - Augsburg Sporting Alliance demonstrates how sport can act as a powerful tool for building connections across borders. By bringing together young people, volunteers and organisations, the exchange supports not only sporting development but also wider cultural understanding, economic collaboration and long-term partnership working.”
Sergey Zemlyak and Marlene Mechold, representatives of the Augsburg District Branch of the Bavarian Youth Sports Association (BSJ) said: "We are deeply grateful for this inspiring exchange, filled with shared experiences, new perspectives, and warm personal encounters that made it truly unforgettable. We returned home not only with new knowledge, but also with cherished memories and great enthusiasm for future international cooperation."
The programme also included cultural visits to Inverness Castle, the Botanic Gardens, Loch Ness and Beauly, alongside a Highland Games-style experience, reflecting a balance between sporting engagement and cultural exchange.
Christina Cameron , Chair of the Town Twinning Committee said: “Committee Member Bob Shanks and I were delighted to spend a very enjoyable day with the visitors from Augsburg to show them some of our local Highland highlights. It was an honour to share with them the sights of Loch Ness on a cruise, and to visit Urquhart Castle and then Beauly Old Priory. After a visit to The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery in Muir of Ord the day concluded with a meal of Scottish fare.”
The visit was designed to promote “people-to-people” connections, with sport acting as a shared platform to strengthen understanding, democratic values and collaboration between the two cities.
Investing in young people, skills and volunteering
The Sporting Alliance focuses on developing the next generation of coaches, volunteers and community leaders.
Participants - typically aged 18 to 30 and actively involved in local sports clubs or organisations - are selected to take part in both visits, ensuring they can contribute fully to the exchange and apply learning within their own communities.
Key objectives of the programme include:
- Understanding how sports systems and clubs operate in different countries
- Sharing coaching practice and training methods
- Building leadership and volunteering skills
- Creating sustainable, long-term links between sports clubs in Inverness and Augsburg
Participants are encouraged to lead sessions and presentations, creating a collaborative learning environment and strengthening connections between volunteers in both countries.
Reciprocal visit to Augsburg
The exchange will continue with a group from Inverness travelling to Augsburg from 20 to 27 June 2026.
The programme in Germany will include:
- Engagement with Bavarian Youth Sports Association (BSJ) including insight into Germany’s sports club structures and youth development systems.
- Workshops on coach education, project delivery and sports development.
- Practical sessions in areas such as self-defence, water polo and inclusive sport, supported by organisations including Special Olympics Bavaria.
- A focus on inclusion, integration and participation in amateur sport, promoting equality and accessibility.
- Cultural experiences including tours of Augsburg’s historic centre and its UNESCO-listed water management system.
- A civic reception.
- As Inverness and Augsburg celebrate 70 years of twinning in 2026, the programme highlights the continuing relevance of international cooperation at a local level - creating opportunities that benefit communities in both cities now and into the future.