Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport

Keeping our athletes active, engaged and safe throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.

What we have accomplished so far………..

Zoom Virtual Athletes meetings – regular online sessions took place throughout May, June, July and August. These sessions were setup to engage and support our athletes, families and coaches throughout the lockdown period. Sessions included….treasure hunt, bingo, quiz, Special Olympics and health & wellbeing questions, family fitness, personal motivation and baking session. The sessions allowed the athletes to feel included and valued as part of a group while making a connection with familiar friendly faces whilst gaining physical activity and skills. Positive feedback was received from the athletes and parents / carers.

500 Mile Challenge – on Sunday 26th of July DGDS organised a 500-mile challenge to raise funds for the charity. The challenge involved our athletes, families/carers, coaches and supporters to taking part in an activity that day and log their miles to hopefully we can reach 500 miles!

We saw athletes walk, push, run, cycle, row, paddle and ride their ponies along a few miles close to their home. A total of 35 athletes with their families and 6 coaches took part reaching almost double the 500 miles and totalled 970 miles on the day!!

This challenge allowed athletes to find an activity they enjoy, while raising their physical activity levels and to focus, achieve and succeed by seeing an end result. It also gave them a feeling of being part of a team, thinking about other athletes across the region also taking part on the day.

Our sincere thank you to everyone who donated to our charity, the total raised by everyone involved in the event was a staggering £4,507.53! Due to this success we plan to try to make this an annual event.

Walk Fit Wednesday – D&G Disability Sport organised Walk Fit Wednesday’s, these sessions took place every Wednesday across Dumfries & Galloway and complied with the Scottish Government Guidelines with Covid_19 safety procedures in place. The walks were well attended by athletes and their families / carers and provided a physical activity element while enjoying a social and fun walk around picturesque parks and river walks. The session also included an event from the Scottish Disability Sport Pentathlon including, standing long jump, shuttle run, target throw, speed bounce and 400m run / walk, giving variation every week. Walk Fit were Free of charge and run by volunteer coaches and parents.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) Virtual Pentathlon – D&G Disability Sport registered Team D&G in the SDS Virtual Pentathlon. The Virtual Pentathlon took place over five weeks with athletes completing a different challenge each week, full adaptations were offered to allow all athletes to participate and were able to perform the activity anywhere with space.

75 athletes, participants and pupils of all ages took part across D&G with their score count towards the overall D&G score. This challenge was well received by all giving variation and a tool to engage pupils through Physical Education outside lessons (giving the current Covid-19 situation).

All Team D&G results were submitted to SDS who will calculate the individual winners in each classification as well as the overall winners in the Team Trophies. There are two trophies available. There is the Scottish Disability Sport Team Trophy which is calculated by adding the points from the top two performing athletes from each team in classifications 1 – 5. The other trophy is the “Active Together” trophy which adds up all the scores from every athlete in each team (classifications 1 – 6) and the team with the most points will be awarded the trophy. GOOD LUCK TEAM D&G!

Showcase Sunday – D&G Disability Sport recently conducted an evaluation from athletes, parents/carers, coaches and organisations. We were able to utilise the information from the athletes and coaches to create a Showcase Sunday, a weekly Facebook post to showcase their achievements and give followers an insight to what can be achieved at every level. This also helped boost their self-confidence and were proud to get the recognition of all they have achieved.

Fit Fridays – Coaches and volunteers from D&G Disability Sport filmed a short fitness session for athletes and family member to follow to raise their activity level throughout full lockdown. These sessions included boccia, fitness circuit, tennis, multi sports session and table tennis.

Regional sports week – D&G Active Schools and Community Sport team organised a sports week and challenged our athletes and their families to take part in regional school sports week. Videos were posted of our Facebook page on the lead up to give ideas for sports to try at home / in the garden which included adaptations. We had a great response with athletes and families taking to their bikes, wildlife walks, showing their skills at football and egg and spoon and much more. This initiative brought organisations together, to benefit the wider community by increasing their physical activity and improving their health and wellbeing.

Feedback / Comments from Parents & Athletes:

School – Scottish Disability Sport Pentathlon – it was a nice block for the pupils to work through and it gave a focus for lessons when we were still unable to work inside.

Parent – As a parent I really appreciate the activities DGDS has held during Covid. Holding the zoom meetings and arranging weekly walks has really made a difference during these unprecedented times and has given my son something to look forward to and the opportunity to keep in touch with his friends on a regular basis. The weekly walking group has allowed him to continue to exercise and helped towards his health and wellbeing. It is lovely to see him interacting with his friends. Hearing them laugh and seeing the smiles on their faces makes you see the huge benefits the club is doing for individuals by holding these types of activities for their members. The 500-mile challenge again helped him keep fit and gave him the chance to do something a little different – he loved being part of it and we loved seeing what everyone else achieved via Social Media. Thank you DGDS – you really are making a difference at this very difficult time

Athlete – Jack thoughts are – I enjoy the walks as I am getting to be outside and I enjoy the activities during the walk like running about. It means I am meeting my friends again. The zoom calls were brilliant. I looked forward to it every time. 500-mile challenge – I enjoyed doing it and liked the cycling the best.

Parent – James loved getting involved in zoom meetings, as he really missed the football training and seeing his friends. He has really enjoyed the walks in the Crichton meeting up with his friends and teammates. James loved seeing himself on showcase Sunday. He loved hearing all the comments on Facebook. It was great being involved in the 500-mile challenge. Gerald and I took part in it too which encouraged James. Great fundraiser hopefully an annual thing.

Parent – As a parent and support worker I have seen how COVID has impacted people with learning disabilities. My daughter has missed her sports clubs but in being able to participate in zoom meetings, walks and challenges has made a big difference to her in making up for it.

She has thoroughly enjoyed these interactions which has definitely helped her general well-being. This in turn has helped me as her mum too as she has been happier and able to look forward to the meetings etc. The activities have been a great way to keep in touch with friends we hadn’t seen for months!

Parent / Athlete – Courtney said the thing that she enjoys most about DGDS is seeing her friends! She loves being in the company of others – whether virtually or outside. I think that the fundraiser day gave her a personal challenge and the biggest sense of achievement when she completed the 5-mile cycle – it was a great day! Exercising with other DGDS members motivates her and this is important not only for her physical wellbeing but also her social and emotional wellbeing.

Thank you for everything that you do.

Parent / Athlete – When the Zoom meetings were introduced during lockdown Chris’s response was like that of someone winning the lottery! He was delighted to see his friends and coaches. This was like a lifeline for him during the strange times. As things began to open up he was delighted to be able to return to his favourite pastime, golf. When DGDS introduced the 500-mile challenge he chose golf and took up the challenge in his usual ‘modest’ stride! He took great pride in himself contributing to his ‘his teams’ effort to raise funds. Finally, the walks were so much more than walking. For Chris it was seeing his coaches and friends at the same time as having fun with others. Chris says he enjoyed the walks and Zooms best as he got to see his teammates!

As a parent it was wonderful to see Chris react to the events with enthusiasm and to hear him laugh and have banter with others with his peers and coaches. DGDS are an example of being inclusive and recognising those with a disability have a right to be allowed to enjoy their lives and meet with others to have fun in a safe and Covid friendly environment. Well done and thank you to all those involved in the organising of the events.

Future – we will continue with our Walk Fit programme until it is safe for our athletes and coaches to return to clubs, following the Scottish Government Guidelines.

D&G Disability Sport Committee continue to work hard, developing and creating opportunities for our athletes during and beyond Covid-19 pandemic.