Everyone involved with Scottish Disability Sport would like to take this opportunity to wish all our athletes, coaches, volunteers, partners and key stakeholders a very merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. We thank you all most sincerely for your commitment, achievements and support during the last 12 months. We all look forward to working with you during what promises to be an exciting 2020.
Organisation: scottishathletics
Closing Date: 20 January 2020
As the National Governing Body for Athletics in Scotland, our aim is to build an integrated and transparent system that supports our constituent members, as well as continuing to develop the sport of athletics in Scotland as a whole, from grassroots introductory level through to international level, and sets the context for future strategic decisions and identification of key programmes and projects.
Athletics is, and will continue to be, the most inclusive and popular sport in Scotland. To ensure this continues, we need to operate in a way that reflects our values and recognises the role we play in Scottish society. We will continue to develop these values to ensure that equality and inclusivity remain at the heart of our activities. scottishathletics has been a leader in this area, not just within sport, but within the wider world. We will continue to strive to be as reflective of Scottish society as we can be, with the resources we have at our disposal.
Key tasks for this role will include:
Full details can be found on the scottishathletics website here:
Scottish is Disability is looking forward to hosting an inaugural Boccia Conference which will take place on Sunday 23 February 2020 at the sportscotland National Training Centre, Inverclyde. We have an exciting selection of workshops on offer and all information can be found in the programme. This conference is open to all members of the boccia community and there is no cost to attend.
If you would like to register, please do so via the link below:
https://boccia.scottishdisabilitysport.com/2020-boccia-conference/
A few weeks ago I received a call in the DSF office from Gilly Eason. Gilly started running in January this year and has raised £1300 for charity.
Gilly runs with the Kirkcaldy Wizards who are linked to the very inclusive Fife Athletic Club. I guess the Wizards are part of the Jogscotland initiative supported by Scottish Athletics? Gilly trains with the Wizards on Monday and Wednesday for an hour at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy and enjoys Parkruns and other social running occasions. She told me that sometimes there are as many as 80 runners involved with the Wizards.
Rosie Broadley turned up at the Wizards and expressed an interest in the couch to 5K programme. Rosie lost her sight this year and is now dependent on a cane. Rosie was accompanied by her daughter and Gilly introduced herself. Little did they realise how much of an influence they would have on one another for the remainder of the year.
Gilly was calling the DSF office to ask about guide running and supporting a runner with a visual impairment. It was an easy task on my part to pass on a few references and within no time Gilly had purchased a tether and volunteered her services to support Rosie on “Wizard Nights”. For over ten weeks Gilly and Rosie trained on together on grass, track and roads until she graduated couch to 5K with her fellow Wizards. The dynamic duo took over the park in true Wizard style.
Gilly told me they have a Wizard of the month every month on the first Monday. The accolade is reserved for those who are not the fastest or run the furthest. The award is about people who help and inspire others. Gilly was delighted and proud that this month it was Rosie!! There were tears from Rosie because she believes she is “just Rosie”. Rosie does not see herself as special despite having had a brain injury, stroke and lost her sight all in one year. Being part of the programme has had an amazing impact on her life and all those she have come to know her through the Kirkcaldy Wizards.
I learned when I was pulling this article together that Rosie has won a free trip to Vegas with GMTV!! The show is running a segment about “new beginnings” and Rosie’s daughter Sam emailed her story to GMTV. Not surprisingly she won the trip because she inspired the judging panel just as she has inspired her fellow Wizards throughout her ten week programme.
Congratulations Rosie on all that you have achieved to date. You are most definitely an inspiration. Well done of course to volunteer Gilly who has contributed so much to Rosie’s training, progression and safety. Wonderful story of the power of inclusive active recreation to change lives. Get Out Get Active in Fife (GOGA).
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees
As part of the SDS Young Start review process I met up recently with DSF member Craig Smith at the DSF office. As always Craig was incredibly upbeat. Our meeting was scheduled just before his teaching/coaching session withGlenrothes Amateur Swimming Club.
Since embarking on his coach education journey Craig has developed into a confident and popular teacher. During his early days with the club Craig benefited greatly from working alongside fellow DSF member Lara Ferguson.
Craig recently travelled to the Tower Hotel in London to represent the Young Start programme at the UK Coaching Awards. As Scottish area winners of the transforming coaching section, the SDS Young Start programme was up against GB hockey and archery submissions with GB Hockey taking the honours.
All of us in Scotland associated with the Young Start programme were of course delighted with the Scottish win and pleased that Craig was selected as the Young Start ambassador. Last week Craig also represented the Young Start programme at a meeting of potential sponsors. When we met Craig explained the role he and others have played in shaping the future of the programme and the importance of raising awareness of mental health issues going forward.
Since successfully completing two Scottish Swimming qualifications Craig has flown. He is now a respected Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club teacher and the impact that he and Lara Ferguson have had on the club is impressive. Craig is a very special young man and those of us who know him are confident that he will carve out a successful career in swim teaching.
Craig was a successful Para swimmer when he was a pupil at Glenrothes HS. Perhaps he will return to swimming one day and maybe even become involved in Masters Swimming. He certainly has the potential to excel in the sport. Currently his weekly schedule is challenging and he is running up an amazing number of miles driving between Fife, Edinburgh and Glasgow for his job, leisure and studies.
Craig has charisma in abundance and no shortage of intelligence and sparkle. DSF is proud to have Craig as a member and delighted that he is now a volunteer giving lots back to the sport that meant so much to him when he was a teenager. Craig got so much from the Young Start programme and now contributes so much to the development of the programme as well as benefiting from it. DSF is very proud of Craig Smith and believes that he will excel in whatever he decides to do in life.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees
Scottish Boccia were represented at the Boccia England Team and Pairs event at the David Ross Sports Village at Nottingham University on the 14 and 15 December 2019.
The competition afforded the opportunity to take seven players to compete, five of whom, were making their first appearance for Scotland. The squad were ably led by experience players, Kieran Steer and Ross Munro.
BC3 Pairs
Ross MacNeil (alongside the Vipers English Academy)
BC4
A. Kieran Steer & Scott McIntyre
B. Ross Munro & Tyler McClelland
C. Fiona Muirhead & Paul McIntyre
Remarkably, Ross MacNeil and his father, Stewart (ramp assistant), struck up a formidable partnership with Lewis Fisher and Azhad Fauzi in which they managed one training session prior to the competition. They pushed England B in their first match, losing narrowly 3-5 in the end. However, this performance set their tone for the rest of the competition. The Vipers reached the semi-final, losing to 1-7 to England A. This set up a bronze medal play-off with Wales, in which they triumphed 6-2.
In the BC4 Pairs competition Scotland had three strong pairs involved in a five team round robin, which inevitably saw the teammates competing against one another, and it is these results that would have a big impact in the overall league standings. Scotland A (Kieran & Scott) won an engaging contest 13-0 against Scotland B (Ross & Tyler) and followed this up with an 8-0 victory against Scotland C (Fiona & Paul). Whilst Scotland C beat the Gladiators 3-1 they had to withdraw from the competition due to illness, which meant the finished bottom of the group. However, Scotland A and Scotland B ensured that we would record a 1-2 finish as gold and silver would come north of the border.
The competition provided an excellent competitive outlet for Scotland’s next generation of performance players and each will have taken lots of learning, as we look ahead to a positive 2020 for Boccia in Scotland. Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank Boccia England for hosting the event and inviting Scotland to be part of it.
A full list of results can be seen via the link below:
https://www.bocciaengland.org.uk/teams-and-pairs-2019
Cycling UK and Edinburgh All-ability Cycling are pleased to inform you that the Edinburgh Handcycling Experience is in full swing. Based at Saughton Park in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Handcycling Experience has several handcycles available for use, for a variety of abilities and ages, at no charge.
Handcycling is accessible to nearly anyone with a lower limb impairment. It’s also great for people with chronic pain, balance issues, arthritis, and amputees. No previous cycling experience is necessary and coaching is provided by a L2 cycling coach. In addition to introductory sessions to get you started we will also be planning rides for a variety of rider experiences. Not only is handcycling a great activity itself, but it’s also perfect for cross-training for other sports.
Bikes are available for kids from approximately 5 years old and up. We also have recumbent and longseat configurations (a more upright style) as well as a Tetra-ready bike with electric assist and a TriRide wheelchair clip-on, also with electric assist. For those that need assistance in transferring, we also have a height-adjustable stool allowing for level transfers off your chair and into the bikes.
Please see the flyer below and contact Ken (ken.talbot@cyclinguk.org) for more information. Additionally, visit our Facebook page (Edinburgh Handcycling Experience) for more updates on schedules and events.
The Scottish Disability National Badminton Championships will be run by Badminton Scotland at Dalkeith Campus on Saturday 25th January.
Entries close on 10th January and all the information you need should be found on the link below. This event started as a partnership event between Lothian Disability Badminton Club (LDBC) and Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) in 2017. Badminton Scotland came on board this year to operate it as their disability badminton championships with input from LDBC & SDS. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested in entering.
Scottish Disability Badminton Championships 2020
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS)
Disability Sport Regional Manager (Maternity Cover)
Based in Central Region
Salary Scale: £25,000 – £28,000 subject to experience
Are you a dynamic and enthusiastic team player who has a passion for inclusion and disability sport?
SDS, in partnership with sportscotland, is seeking to appoint maternity cover for a Disability Sport Regional Manager based in Stirling to lead the implementation, coordination and monitoring of a strategic approach to sport for people with physical, sensory and learning impairments across the region.
The post holder will work in partnership with and support member Branches, sports clubs, local authorities, Scottish Governing Bodies of sport and other relevant stakeholders in disability sport to deliver inclusive opportunities and a coherent sports specific pathway. The postholder will work across the Central Region as well as East and West Dunbartonshire. The post will be responsible for developing new and existing sports structures to support individuals to engage, participate and progress.
The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate proven experience of developing, implementing and evaluating sports development plans and programmes as well as knowledge of sports development pathways. It is envisaged that the contract will be for a period of 9 months to cover the maternity leave of the existing postholder. The post will be based in Stirling. Both part time and full-time options will be considered with hours flexible depending on the right candidate.
For a full job description, candidate specification and application form, see below or apply online here:
OR, contact Caroline Lyon, Administrator, Scottish Disability Sport, Caledonia House South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ
Tel: 0131 317 1130
E-mail: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com
Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 10th January 2020
Interviews: Tuesday 21st January 2020
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