Forth Valley Get Out Get Active project supports people of all ages to become active, meet new people and encourages disabled and non-disabled individuals to be active together. All abilities welcome, no experience or fitness required!
For more information download the timetable here or contact GOGA Lead Officer Eva Finlayson on 01786 466 486 / goga@fvds.org.uk.
Salary Scale: £25,000 to £30,000 (pro rata) depending on experience
Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) is a voluntary sport group with the aim of leading the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with the key local agencies and local authorities for Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen and Moray. GDS is a SCIO organisation registered with OSCR and a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability.
The committee of GDS now wishes to appoint a Project Development Manager, GOGA to drive forward the Spirit of 2012 funded Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme across Grampian.
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is an exciting new programme that supports inactive disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. This could be through local authority or independent provision, sports clubs or volunteering. The programme aims to motivate people by tapping into their values and the things that matter most to them. This includes building friendships, maintaining health, having fun and developing life skills. GOGA will concentrate on social, fun and inclusive activities delivered over the remaining two years of the programme.
A copy of the job description can be found here.
To apply, simply send your CV and a cover letter to;
Closing date 12 noon Friday 23rd February 2018
Interviews: Friday 2nd March 2018 in Aberdeen
Scotland’s Scott Meenagh has been selected to the ParalympicsGB team for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games, meaning the team will be represented in Para Nordic skiing for the first time since Nagano 1998.
Scott will make his Paralympic debut and will compete in both cross country and biathlon. His selection means that the team will be represented in an historic five sports.
Scott, who was injured whilst on active service in Afghanistan at the age of 21, was encouraged to try Para Nordic Skiing after getting a taste of winter sport during Sochi 2014, which he experienced as part of the Paralympic Inspiration Programme.
He has also competed in Para Rowing at an international level, however he made the switch to Nordic Skiing in March 2016.
Speaking about his selection, Scott said; “It’s an incredible feeling to know my name is on the team sheet and that I’m set to achieve my goal of representing Great Britain at a Paralympic Games. I can’t wait to get out to South Korea to compete and I’m determined to give my very best performance”.
“I’ve totally fallen in love with this sport and I hope that I will encourage others to follow me so that we can develop Para Nordic Skiing further for Beijing 2022.”
Scott’s announcement takes the number of athletes currently selected for the ParalympicsGB team to 17 after athletes were selected in Para Alpine Skiing, Para Snowboard and Wheelchair Curling.
Scott joins fellow Scot’s Aileen Neilson, Angie Malone MBE, Gregor Ewan, Robert McPherson and Hugh Nibloe from Wheelchair Curling and Brett Wilde (guide) from Para Alpine Skiing on the ParalympicsGB team at PyeongChang 2018.
All ParalympicGB sports will come together on Thursday 15th February to celebrate their selection to the team before the athletes begin to depart for South Korea.
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games take place from 9th – 18th March.
Scotland’s wheelchair curlers were in action at the GB Wheelchair Curling Championships in Hamilton from 4th-6th February. The Scots were up against a strong international and domestic field in what would be the perfect warm up for the forthcoming PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games.
Scotland progressed through the round robin phase with five wins from five matches, including victories over international sides from Germany and Denmark and Aileen Neilson’s rink went into the semi-finals with high hope of taking the GB title. A maximum of ten points, with 23 ends won, meant Scotland topped Group A after Sunday and Monday’s action. Group B saw Korea match Scotland with a 100 per cent record, while Sweden also showed their strength to finish second with four wins from five matches.
The Scots progressed to a semi-final meeting against a strong Swedish rink and it turned out to be a close run thing with Scotland emerging the winners by 5-4. With Korea beating the rink skipped by Torino 2006 Paralympic silver medallist Michael McCreadie 6-4 in their semi-final, it set up a clash between the two unbeaten sides in Tuesday’s final.
Unfortunately, It was not to be a third British Open title in a row for Aileen with team mates Gregor Ewan, Hugh Nibloe, Robert McPherson and Angie Malone, as the Scots were beaten 6-3 by a strong Korean outfit in an extra end.
Aileen commented;
“The final was an extremely close game with only blank ends and singles being exchanged,”
“Team Scotland had to steal in the extra end and were lying shot until the Korean skip played a great take out through the port to take the victory.
“The event provided a great opportunity to compete in a high class line up and was a great confidence boost beating the German and Swedish Paralympic teams just before the Games.
“We have received lots of messages of support from friends and family and it is nice to know that everyone back home will be rooting for us when we are in PyeongChang competing for Great Britain.”
The Scottish rink will now don the colours of ParalympicsGB as they compete in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games from the 9th – 18th March with their confidence boosted after a successful GB Championships.
Are you a carriage driver?
Gareloch RDA are looking for help with their new Carriage Driving Project
The project is starting now – we have a carriage and pony at the ready but would love to have some experienced carriage drivers to help us get started. We have a group of willing volunteers but need the expertise plus general volunteers are welcome too!
Come and see Bobbie using his new training carriage! Gareloch RDA are in Cardross, outside Helensburgh.
If you are interested in getting involved please call Gillie: 077481 83239 for more information.
Advantage, Edinburgh’s Disability Tennis Programme, is working with a range of partners to deliver a range of tennis opportunities for individuals with a range of disabilities. Please see details of these exciting and inclusive sessions below – they are a great way to become involved with a new sporting activity.
Sunday 18th February (12 noon to 2.30pm) – TF Learning Disability Regional Tournament – Craiglockhart
This event is a red and orange ball tournament run by the Tennis Foundation for children who have additional support needs.
Wednesday 28th February (9.30am to 12 noon) – Edinburgh University Disability Open Day – The Meadows
This event is a series of taster sessions for students of the university who have additional support needs to try out tennis and hopefully begin playing regularly.
Saturday 28th April (2pm to 3.30pm) – Whizzkidz – Craiglockhart
This event is a wheelchair tennis taster session for a charity that helps junior wheelchair users get accustomed to using a chair and find activities to help them improve their quality of life.
More information can be found on the organisation here – http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities then please contact Advantage Coordinator, Michael Millar on MichaelMillar@edinburghleisure.co.uk. The events are also keen to welcome anyone interested in volunteering – if this is something you are keen to support then please contact Michael on the email address above.
To find out more about Advantage and the regular opportunities on offer then visit http://www.edinburghdisabilitytennis.co.uk/.
In conjunction with the Central Boccia Engage sessions (via the Big Lottery funding), and the launch of the recent Boccia schools programme, we are happy to announce the upcoming Central Boccia Leaders workshop. Please see details below:
Date: Thursday 15th March 2018
Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Larbert High School
All coaches, volunteers, teachers and staff wishing to attend from the Central region will gain a place on this course free of charge. Please contact admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130 for more information or to secure your place.
Children from schools across Aberdeen City & Shire with disabilities served up some serious skills during Grampian’s ASN Table Tennis & Tennis Festivals this week.
29 primary & secondary pupils from 3 schools attended the event which was held at The Westburn Lounge & Tennis Centre and forms part of Grampian’s wider Active School’s events programme for children with disabilities.
The Festival was ran by some of Grampian’s best Tennis & Table Tennis coaches and introduced children to the rules & aims of the sports, providing fun and energetic games to challenge and develop their skills before testing these out in friendly matches against their peers.
Mrs Smith, a teacher from one of the attending schools, noted the enjoyment that her pupils experienced from taking part in such events amongst players with similar abilities and disabilities, and the importance sport has on their wellbeing.
Thanks go to the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Active Schools Teams, Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association, and Sport Aberdeen’s tennis coaches for running such a successful event.
If any people living with a physical, sensory or learning disability are keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848.
When: Monday – 5.00-6.00pm
Where: Carluke Leisure Centre, Carnwath Road, Carluke ML8 4EA
Age: 5-18 years
Come along and try out new wheelchair basketball sessions. These sessions are suitable for people with a physical disability who are keen to play basketball. Why not bring your friends along too to join in the fun?
Some sports wheelchair will be available.
For full information see the flyer here.
Despite the adverse weather conditions many of Scotland’s Top Para Swimmers were in attendance at the National Short Course Performance Swimming Championships on Sunday 21 January, held at the country’s top swimming venue, Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow. The strength of the partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Disability Sport is evident with a strong squad of both male and female swimmers progressing to an extremely competitive level.
Thirty nine swimmers were in attendance, with a number withdrawn with injuries and some due to the inclement weather.
Toni Shaw the S9 swimmer from Grampian, recently selected for Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games, proved her selection with some top performances throughout the day. She had competition from 100m Backstroke World Record Holder in the S13 classification, Abby Kane from Ren 96 who ran her close in several events. Toni’s 100m Butterfly performance saw her breaking the Scottish record in a time of 1.11.50.
Conner Morrison the S14 swimmer competing for University of Aberdeen, world record holder in the 100m Breaststroke, was in good form and had some great races against the up and coming youngster from City of Glasgow Swim Team, Louis Lawlor.
The McCulloch twins, Fraser and Lewis, from Inverclyde ASC, again battled it out in the S15 classification, with Lewis coming away with most of the plaudits in their events.
The event was also open to some of Scotland’s up and coming youngsters, swimming as guests, enabling them to experience the competitive environment with timing pads and scoreboard.
The Performance Championships have become a valuable event in the calendar for Scottish Para swimmers, with the Long Course event scheduled for June in Stirling.
We wish Beth Johnston and Toni Shaw the best of luck at the Commonwealth Games and hope they achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves.
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