Month: October 2016

Ayrshire Sportsability logo

Ayrshire Sportsability Charity Lunch

Charity Lunch

Sunday 6th November

12-5pm

Seamill Hydro, Seamill

Tickets £28 adults/£14 children

Enjoy lunch in the fabulous newly refurbished surroundings of Seamill Hydro. This is a perfect time to relax with family or enjoy a day out with friends whilst raising money for three local charities.

  • Shopping
  • Raffles
  • Auctions
  • Fashion show by Cove Boutique, Kilmarnock

To book please visit www.ayrshiresportsability.org.uk to pay online

Send a cheque

Pay by BACS to The Royal Bank of Scotland, Sort Code: 831526, Account no:00681181

Contact admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk.

Instructor demonstrating skiing technique to group of children

Spectacular Snowsports

Wednesday the 26th of October saw the first ever ASN snowsport festival take place at the Aberdeen Snowsport Centre. There was mixture of primary, secondary and special schools in attendance, with over 30 children taking part. Each school had a mixture of skiing and tubing under the watchful eyes of the snowsport staff. The children learned a lot about balance, stability and trying new things.

Morag Taylor from Dyce Academy said, “It was an excellent event with very supportive staff. We love participating in the events from the calendar that allow our children to have opportunities that they don’t normally have.”

The event was part of the ASN school sport calendar, in partnership with different organisations, to provide a range of sporting opportunities for ASN children across Grampian.  A massive thank you to Aberdeen Snowsport Centre for their role in creating this very exciting opportunity. The next event will be inclusive basketball at the Beach Leisure Centre .

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October 28, 2016

Minutes of the meeting held on Friday 28 October 2016

Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA at 1700 hours

Attendees

  • Janice Eaglesham MBE, Chair
  • Catherine Goodfellow, Vice Chair
  • Gavin Macleod, CEO
  • Dave Rhoney, Director
  • Oliver Barsby, Director
  • Claire Morrison, Director
  • Jay Runga, Director
  • Heather Lowden, Education & Development Manager
  • Caroline Lyon, Company Secretary

Apologies

  • Iain Smith, Director
  • Gerry Milne, Director
  • Ailien Pallot, Finance Manager
  • Jennifer Griffin, sportscotland Partnership Manager

1.    Welcome and Apologies

The Chair welcomed everyone and particularly Jay Runga to his first Board meeting. It was noted that Oliver Barsby had been re-elected at the AGM on 2 October 2016.

There were no conflicts of interest and no legal matters outstanding of which SDS is aware.

2.    Matters Arising

  • Policies which had been implemented in real situations were the Transgender Policy and recently the Business Continuity Plan, which was considered to have been tested during the temporary office relocation. Oliver Barsby was thanked for forwarding the Recruitment Policy to the CEO.
  • The Articles had been amended and were now operational. Copies should be sent to OSCR and Companies House. Action: CL
  • Work is continuing on the new database and two members of staff had attended report writing training.
  • Feedback on the meeting held on 14 October had been provided earlier during the Board training session.
  • The Board skills audit would be conducted on Saturday 29 October.
  • The development audit is scheduled to take place between 30 January and 3 February 2017 and will be conducted by KPMG. The CEO had consulted the Chair and the Finance Manager and all were available during this period. It was noted that KPMG may wish to speak with other Board members as well.
  • There were two possible requests to be considered for bowls. Firstly the test event for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games would be addressed during the Mission 2018 meeting next week. Secondly there is a possibility opportunity for Scotland to host the IBD World Championships in 2020. The feasibility study conducted by the Performance Manager is currently with Bowls Scotland and will be considered by the Bowls Scotland Board to agree a partnership.
  • The office refurbishment has taken place. Furniture is being delivered on Tuesday 1 November and staff will move back in thereafter.
  • sportscotland have indicated they are content for SDS to retain the Intermediate Level of the Equality Standard rather than requiring work to begin on achieving the next level. The decision will be considered by the CEO and Opportunities & Equality Manager and the CEO will report back to the Board. Action: CEO to consult JL.
  • The AGM had been attended by approximately 130 people. A feedback survey had been circulated regarding the combined Branch Conference and AGM but few responses have been received to date. Anecdotally feedback had been positive. A date should be decided for 2017 and a decision taken on whether to combine the two events again. The CEO would consult with the Opportunities & Events Manager regarding dates and the format will be subject to further discussion. Dates were suggested of 17 or 24 September and Stirling was considered to be an advantageous venue. Action: CEO to consult MG.
  • The Team Scotland dinner had been attended by the Chair, Vice Chair, CEO, Education & Development Manager, Claire Morrison and Oliver Barsby. SDS had received excellent recognition in the Legacy Award for the UK Disability Inclusion Senior Pupils workshop, and there had been good recognition of para athletes in the awards, in particular Young Athlete of the Year Maria Lyle and Para Athlete of the Year Gordon Reid. Attendance had been around 600 and Commonwealth Games Scotland were to be congratulated on the organisation.
  • The Linlithgow Grange Rotary Club dinner had been attended by the CEO and Pathways Manager with Jamie and Alan Docherty. A cheque was given to SDS for £6,500 raised throughout the summer and further donations were likely.
  • The strategic plan update had been presented earlier in the day. Printing will take place after Christmas and distribution will be in April 2017. The efforts of the CEO and staff were recognised in the impressive spread and depth of consultations, both geographical and in terms of people. This was considered to have been a very worthwhile process and feedback would reach partners through regional forums. Board members were thanked for participating in the process.
  • The CPISRA General Assembly will be held in Barcelona in early November and will be attended by the Chair and CEO. Peter Drysdale has been asked to stand as President and Craig Carscadden as Head of Development and Education. The General Assembly of the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football will be held at the same time and motions and nominations had been received. It was noted that CP football will not be in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

3.    Sub Groups

  • Apologies had been received from the Finance Manager. The Finance Sub Group had met prior to the Board meeting to review the minutes of the last meeting and agree the second quarter accounts. The office refurbishment and GOGA launch were covered.
  • The accounts were as expected and the Finance Manager will present at the next Board meeting in more detail.
  • It was noted that the MOR Sub Group had met prior to the AGM and approved the awarding of MOR to South Lanarkshire and Perth & Kinross Branches.
  • The Boccia Sub Group had met and also scheduled their next meeting. The focus was on targets for the new plan, the coaching and education presentation and Scott McCowan’s update on Rio.

4.    Operational Plan Update

  • An overview was given of the operational plan, which the CEO will circulate and address queries at the December Board meeting.
  • It was noted that there had been very good engagement with Edinburgh University regarding Disability Inclusion Training being delivered within the curriculum for 4th year PE students, and more interaction may follow. Other tertiary education establishments engaged include Glasgow University, Stirling University, Ayrshire College and Strathclyde University.
  • Case studies are being conducted at Edinburgh University and Stirling University, where disability services are included for the first time.
  • The GBDFA meeting had focussed on the Paralympic Games where GB had finished 5th overall which was considered to be a good result. As there is now no pathway for CP football SDS would have to consider whether to maintain involvement.
  • The Performance Manager will be attending the forthcoming BPA AGM and NPC meeting on behalf of SDS. It was noted that Tim Reddish will be standing down as Chair of the BPA.
  • Alan Oliver had been accepted onto the GB Badminton Squad for the first time.
  • The SDS Athlete Academy now includes three pilots for the first time.
  • The bowls test event had initially caused some confusion around qualifying, but is confirmed to be part of the qualification process and it was confirmed Scotland will only be able to send one team.
  • The Coaching Conference has been scheduled for 29 January 2017. Notification will be send out mid-November and sportscotland will be supporting the conference through speakers. The day will incorporate an L2+ workshop.
  • The mentoring of young coaches is proving successful.
  • Funding has been secured for Disability Inclusion Training from Sainsbury’s for a further year with the potential for more to follow, including the possibility of funding for resources and e-learning. Sainsbury’s have also expressed interest in the Senior Pupils DIT.
  • Gary Fraser is in position as Performance Manager. Jennifer Scally has been appointed as Tayside Regional Manager and Neal Herbert begins on 31 October as East Regional Manager. Lothian Disability Sport have recruited a part-time co-ordinator to fill the post vacated by Neal Herbert.
  • The Celtic FC Foundation have confirmed continued funding of the Inspiring Sport programme and SDS will again be beneficiaries of their fundraising dinner this year.
  • SDS are through to the second stage of the application process for Big Lottery funding.
  • It was considered that the communications group had worked well over the Paralympic Games with good partnership with sport Very good press releases had been issued by the BPA. The next communications group meeting is on 14 November.
  • Neil Fachie MBE had been inducted into the Hall of Fame and Claire McDonald had made the presentation at an Active Scotland meeting.
  • The Pathways Manager had attended the selections for the School Sports Awards and SDS felt this involvement was a good development. The Pathways Manager was commended for her commitment to the representation.

5.    Board Member Updates

  • The Chair had attended the Team Scotland Awards night in Edinburgh.
  • The Chairs’ forum had been established following the Branch Conference and will start operating next month.
  • The Chair would be attending the CPISRA General Assembly and had been a visitor to the Rio Paralympic Games.
  • Claire Morrison had attended the Team Scotland Awards and homecoming celebration. Claire had also coached in Rio and reported a good team spirit among Scottish athletes across all sports. It was felt that added value and support was provided by the Scottish identity and there was recognition of support from SDS on behalf of the athletes.
  • Dave Rhoney had attended the water sports day. A group of veterans is taking part in the marathon in Washington and there is some potential for contact with SDS. Dave is in communication with the Performance Manager regarding this.
  • The Vice Chair had attended the AGM and Branch Conference and would be participating in the Chairs’ forum. She was also part of the MOR Sub Group.
  • Oliver Barsby had been part of the MOR Sub Group, and had also attended and been very impressed by the summer sports camp.
  • Jay Runga had attended his first SDS AGM. He indicated he would like to make contact with the South Lanarkshire Branch as this was local to him, and that he had recently returned to 1:1 coaching with David Beattie following the AGM. Action: CEO to ask JL to contact Jay re South Lanarkshire.
  • Board members were offered the opportunity to attend the Aspiring for Excellence Conference at Hampden on 29 November. The CEO, Vice Chair and Oliver Barsby are attending and anyone wishing to attend should notify the CEO by the end of 4 November. Action: All.

6.    Partners Update

  • The BPA AGM and NPC will be held on 9 November.
  • The Boccia Board meeting had included a Rio debrief from Matt Hammond, governance, policy review, commercial, and a recognition that a talent development resource is needed. It was recognised that classification should lie at a GB level and should be co-ordinated, led and information stored at GB level.

7.    Sports/Events

  • The Boccia Open competition is taking place tomorrow and for the first time involves other home countries. It is hoped that next year pairs and team events can be included.
  • The Junior Swimming Gala takes place on Wednesday next week.

8.    AOCB

  • It was noted that Josh Manson won the Lord’s Taverners’ Young Male Sportsperson of the Year Award.
  • Scottish Rowing indoor championships will be held tomorrow and Dave Rhoney will be competing. Seven para rowers in total are competing.
  • The large amount of work invested in the office refurbishment on the part of Ailien Pallot and Kate Shaw was acknowledged.

9.    DONM

Board dates are:

  • 12 December 2016
  • 30 January 2017 – Performance presentation
  • 13 March 2017 – Branch, Equality and Events presentation
  • 24 April 2017 – Pathways presentation
  • 12 June 2017 – Coaching and Education presentation
  • 21 August 2017

One of the meetings will be held in Glasgow and a date for the AGM will be set after consultation. The start time of all meetings is 1700 and other than the meeting in Glasgow the venue will be Caledonia House, Edinburgh.

 

Boccia balls

Ayrshire Sportsability Boccia Festival

Ayrshire Sportsability held a competitive Boccia Festival on 25th October at The Citadel Leisure Centre, Ayr.

The festival was attended by over 60 pupils from schools all over Ayrshire.  The event was the second competitive boccia event for ASA this year.  The children had a great day and feedback from the teachers attending was excellent.

The festival date had been publicised on the schools competitive calendar through Active Schools so children had been practising boccia within their schools to enable them to come to the competition ready to take part.

The winners from the day were:

Physical Disability Group

Gold Medal: Faith Wright (Annanhill Primary School)
Silver Medal: David McLaughlin (Annanhill Primary School)

Learning Disability Group

Gold Medal: Callum Pollock (Cumnock Academy)
Silver Medal: Bobby Kerr (Cumnock Academy)

Well done to everyone who took part, and we look forward to seeing everyone at other events soon. Special thanks to Lynn Allison from SDS, Caitlin Anderson – South Ayrshire Active Schools and Ayrshire College students for all of their help.

If you or anyone you know is interested in playing boccia, contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

 

Scott Quin with his silver medal at the Rio Paralympic Games

LAs Recognise Athletes at Annual Awards Ceremonies

Paralympic athletes Scott Quin, Maria Lyle and Stephen Clegg have been recognised for their considerable efforts and achievements over the last 12 months, with all three athletes receiving accolades from their respective awards ceremonies over the previous couple of weeks.  This recognition was supplemented by youngster Jenny Gray of Lothian Disability Badminton Club who shared the Sports Person with a Disability with swimmer Clegg.

Warrender Baths swimmer and product of local swim club Lothian Racers, Scott Quin was deservedly awarded with the Midlothian Senior Sports Person of the Year after a memorable 12 months which saw him win gold at the European Championships in Funchal and narrowly miss out on Paralympic Gold in Rio, collecting silver behind winner and GB team mate Arran Moores in the SB14 100m Breaststroke.  Quin highlighted: “it has been an unforgettable year for me and to win the award after Rio is a special feeling.”

Watch the ‘Flying Scotsman’ claim gold at the European Championships earlier this year by following the link below –

https://www.paralympic.org/video/mens-100m-breaststroke-sb14-final-2016-ipc-swimming-european-open-championships-funchal

East Lothian also recognised their athletes at the Celebrating Sport Awards on Friday 14th October at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, with the region’s para athletes firmly at the forefront of this recognition.  Dunbar sprinter Maria Lyle was awarded for her memorable summer in Rio as she claimed two individual bronze medals and team silver in the 4 x 100m T35 – T38 relay.  The 16 year old athlete, who has cerebral palsy, claimed silver in the 100m and 200m T35 races after being defeated by Australia’s Isis Holt and China’s Xia Zhou and was deservedly named East Lothian’s Sports Person of the Year.  Watch Maria Lyle run in the second leg of the relay silver medal during the Paralympic Games in Brazil earlier this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M73WYKmSZAg

East Lothian Swim Team’s Stephen Clegg was recognised for his fantastic 5th place finish and personal best time in the S13 400m Backstroke in Brazil and topped off a significant 12 months for the Edinburgh based swimmer, who continues to develop into a world class swimmer under the guidance of head coach Bruce Halloran.  The former Royal Blind School student was awarded the Sports Person with a Disability award alongside North Berwick Badminton player Jenny Gray.  Gray, a member of Lothian Disability Badminton Club, has also experienced significant success over the last year, dominating the 4 Nations Para-Badminton events in Ladies singles, Ladies doubles and Mixed doubles while also being selected for the Special Olympic National Games in Sheffield next year.

This success demonstrates the significant talent in the region from grassroots participation right through the pathway to Paralympic success and will undoubtedly act as genuine inspiration for all upcoming athletes across the East of Scotland.

If you or anyone you know is interested in taking part in disability sport in the Lothian Region, contact Neal Herbert on admin@lothiandisabilitysport.co.uk or 07709 393514.

George Keith

Honorary Life Membership for George Keith

George Keith has been an outstanding ambassador for the sport of table tennis.  He was appointed as an honorary life member of Table Tennis Scotland on Wednesday 12th October at Aberdeen Sports Village.     A plaque was presented by his good friend Harry Vine, who has helped George for over 15 years to coach the players with additional support needs.

George is an exceptional player himself but has brought the sport across the region for anyone to get involved in table tennis regardless of their ability.  He enhances their skills in a safe, secure environment, building their confidence.  Many players have developed well and are now able to compete and play in the mainstream environment.  He has also supported athletes to transition into coaching allowing the structure he set up more than 30 years ago to be sustainable.

He also runs a league for players across Scotland with a disability so they get competitive opportunities out with their club environment on a regular basis.

George has also been the driver behind getting a disability section into the North East Table Tennis Competition held at Aberdeen Sports Village each year, thus allowing players to develop further and gain further competitive opportunities at the next level.

George, who has a disability himself and is a former Paralympian, travels the length and breadth of the country with his athletes allowing them to get out of the sport what he has for many years.

George’s life is table tennis and specifically table tennis for athletes with disabilities.  He still has the passion and drive after all these years to keep developing and supporting players to achieve to the best of their ability.  George knows what his sport can bring to athletes and knows first-hand the long term benefits sport can bring to athletes with a disability and wants others to have this opportunity.

Grampian Disability Sport

Grampian Disability Sport Chair Role

Grampian Disability Sport Chairperson
Recruiting body: Grampian Disability Sport
Closing date: Friday 25 November 2016

Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) is a voluntary sport group whose main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key local agencies in the three local authority areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray. GDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability. The committee of Grampian Disability Sport now wishes to appoint a new chair to lead the branch.

Role Title – Chairperson of Grampian Disability Sport (voluntary)
Organisation – Grampian Disability Sport (GDS)
Responsible to – Grampian Disability Sport Committee
Location – Aberdeen

Contract – This is a voluntary position but all reasonable expenses will be paid. The chairperson is expected to attend branch meetings, held 10 times per year, and other branch events (as available). The Level of time commitment is flexible and will be tailored to suit the applicants current commitments and the needs of the branch.

Term – Minimum 1 year (can be re-elected at annual AGM)

SKILLS REQUIRED:

  • Enthusiastic
  • Well organised
  • Prepared to make a regular time commitment
  • To become a PVG Scheme Member through GDS
  • Prepared to make instant decisions when necessary
  • Confident at keeping order during meetings

MAIN DUTIES:

  • To lead the trustee body in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation by ensuring that the charity acts in accordance with its constitution and by managing its activities.
  • To optimise the relationship between the trustee body and its staff/volunteers.
  • Take responsibility for managing the executive committee and the affairs of the club Oversee and guide all decisions taken by the committee and sub committees
  • In liaison with the Volunteer Co-ordinator, oversee the work of all officers
  • In conjunction with the secretary, prepare and present the annual report
  • Liaise with the secretary on the Agenda for each meeting and approve the minutes before they are circulated
  • Be completely familiar with the constitution, club rules, committee procedures and the NGB rules and regulations
  • Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure that funds are spent properly and in the best interests of the club
  • Help to prepare and submit any statutory documents that are required (e.g. VAT, grant aid reports)
  • If unable to attend any committee meeting, a written report should be sent to the meeting and the Vice Chairman briefed on the Agenda

Interviews
Monday 12 December 2016 (This date can be flexible if required)

Applications
All applicants should send a note of interest to Jennifer.livingstone@scottishdisabilitysport.com detailing why you are interested in the role and any relevant skills and experience.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Jennifer Livingstone on the above email or phone the SDS office on 0131 317 1170.

Owen Miller, Derek Rae and Sam Fernando

Fife AC a Truly Inclusive Sports Club

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) enjoys a very close working relationship with Fife Athletic Club coaches and volunteers. DSF has a well established cross country programme of events hugely supported by Fife AC members. Fife AC officials have been involved with the Fife Track and Field championships organised by DSF since the mid seventies.

Derek Rae and Sam Fernando continue to progress as performance athletes under the guidance of coach Ron Morrison and similarly Owen Miller is developing under the watchful eye of coach Steve Doig. Steve has also taken newcomers Carter Taylor and Ryan Spearman under his wing and already they are beginning to show progress.

Recently Fife AC identified a number of coaches to attend a Sports Coach UK How to Coach Disabled People in Sport workshop organised by DSF in Glenrothes. DSF considers that Fife AC meets all the criteria of a truly inclusive sports club. This was never more apparent than when team Fife AC finished in a creditable third place in the first of the East District Cross Country Series behind Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds and winners Central AC. In the Fife AC team of six counting athletes were DSF members Sam Fernando, Derek Rae and Owen Miller. Sam in particular had a brilliant run finishing in 30th place in 31.52.

The opportunities available to DSF members of being members of such an inclusive and progressive club are immeasurable. Athletes with performance potential who attend DSF weekly run, jump and throws sessions in St Andrews, Glenrothes and Dunfermline led by DSF coaches Stuart Munn, Pamela Robson, Gabby Doig, Gayle Sloan and others are encouraged to progress to inclusive clubs like Fife AC, Pitreavie AAC and Dunfermline Track and Field. The track and field pathway in Fife for athletes with a physical, sensory or learning disability in Fife is clear, effective and continuing to produce class athletes.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife