As the sun sets on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the disability sport world begins to look ahead to Tokyo in 2020, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) won’t forget the inspiring performances given by ParalympicsGB athletes in Rio, London, Beijing, Athens, etc.
In 1960 the first ever Paralympic Games took place in Rome and since then these Games have been the ultimate aim for athletes with a disability around the world to compete in. This year 33 Scottish athletes competed for ParalympicsGB across 12 sports. Many of these athletes didn’t, at the beginning of their journey, have their sights set on the Paralympic Games. They got involved in sport to lose weight or to gain friendships, generally to get healthier and access a social network and be included not excluded.
Then, somewhere along the way, inspiration, fire in their belly, self-belief have taken over and they have looked ahead to competing for their club, country and for ParalympicsGB.
If these inspirational role models have made you think about getting involved in sport for any of the reasons above then SDS can help you. We work with many partners and sports across the whole of Scotland to provide opportunities all year round for people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities to get involved in sport locally and progress in their chosen sport.
For some, the journey starts at para sport festivals and development days – more commonly known as “Come and Try Days”.
SDS has 13 member Branches and eight Regional Managers across Scotland which can support you to #getinvolved locally. Listed below are some of the opportunities coming up in the near future.
Start your journey in disability sport by picking up the phone and calling SDS on 0131 317 1130 or by emailing SDS admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com to get more information on what is on offer for you. We will help you to #getinvolved in a disability club or a mainstream club, whichever is right for you!
Visual Impairment Sport Engagement Day
This day is designed for people with all ages to try a variety of sports in a fun and safe way. Sports include athletics, bowls, cycling, football, goalball, judo and swimming.
Venue: Sensory Centre, Mariner Centre, Falkirk Indoor Bowling Centre, Camelon, Falkirk, FK14DD (right next to Camelon train station)
Date: Saturday 26 November, 2016
Time: 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Age: 5 years upwards
Cost: Free
Para Sport Festival Events
These events are organised by SDS Regional Managers across the country and are open primarily to school aged children with physical, hearing and visual impairments (ages vary in each region). These events offer a variety of sports including athletics, badminton, boccia, bowls, cycling, football, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis etc.
Central Scotland
Tuesday 24 October – Grangemouth Sports Complex
West of Scotland
Friday 10 March – Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility
Friday 10 November – Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility
Highlands and Islands
Tuesday 7 February – Inverness sports centre
Tayside Region
Wednesday 15 March – Dundee & Angus College
East of Scotland
Friday 24 March – Forrester High School
Grampian Region
Wednesday 7 June – Aberdeen Sports Village
For more information or to register interest in any of these events, please email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or phone 0131 317 1130.
