Month: February 2020

SDS Sportshall Athletics Event 2020

A fantastic day of athletics was had as the Grangemouth Sports Complex saw 11 teams from around Scotland descend on it to participate in multiple athletic-disciplines. This was the first year the event ran in partnership with UK Sportshall organisation alongside our usual partners scottishathletics. The event is designed to be an introductory competitive outlet for those athletes at the first stages of enjoying the sport, many of who have qualified for this event by participating in local and regional events and have been selected to represent their branch area. Teams are asked to select athletes from all disability disciplines to be eligible for the trophy which is awarded to the team who collect the most points throughout the day. SDS were delighted with the attendance and it is heartening to see that strong development is being encouraged in such an important sport.

There were some slight changes to the format and order of the event as it assimilated with the typical Sportshall format ran up and down the country. Team Fife once again took home the trophy with the team performing superbly across all disciplines. Fife have put a lot of work into developing their run, jump and throw sessions in the area and all this practice clearly is bearing fruit as the youngsters excelled on the day with Dumfries and Galloway and Highland in hot pursuit but ultimately finishing in the second and third positions respectively.All participants and team support should be applauded as they all contributed to a special atmosphere at the event as the sport proved to be the real winner.

A big thank-you should go to Adam Burgess, the Senior Development Officer for Sportshall and to Harry Baird, the scottishathletics Sportshall co-ordinator for their extensive contribution both before and during the event.

The excellent partnership continues with Barclays and West Lothian College with both organisations providing tremendous voluntary support to this event along with the usual excellent volunteers from the local athletics clubs Forth Valley Flyers.

Don’t forget the National Cross Country Event at Bellahouston on Thursday 19th March. If you would still like to participate in this event please let us know at events@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Photo: Team Fife A Team: Winners of the SDS Sportshall Challenge 2020

Education Scotland Supports Boccia Development in Fife

Three boccia sets were presented to three Fife schools at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre by the Vice Chair of Scottish Disability Sport, Claire Morrison.
The boccia sets were funded by Education Scotland and purchased by Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). SDS Boccia Development Officer Madison Garland has been working with Disability Sport Fife to encourage more players into the sport. Part of the project has involved the allocation of equipment to Fife schools engaged in the programme.
At the conclusion of the annual Boccia Leaders Award workshop organised by Disability Sport Fife and supported by the Celtic FC Foundation through SDS, the boccia sets were handed over by Claire. Claire lives in Dalgety Bay and is Performance Coach with Boccia UK, with years of experience in tutoring courses and coaching high performance players.
The school staff who received the equipment and recorded their thanks to Education Scotland and Scottish Disability Sport were Audrey Davies and Sandy MacIntosh (Queen Anne HS, Dunfermline); Jennifer Imrie and Billy Naismith (Kirkcaldy HS); Stuart Munn (Madras College, St Andrews).
All three schools are active members of Disability Sport Fife and their representatives have committed to supporting the addition of a Fife inter schools boccia competition to the Fife calendar of events. Players who use manual or power wheelchairs are the target audience. Watch this space.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman Disability Sport Fife Board of Charity Trustees

Lochgelly and Balwearie top 2020 Fife 7s League

Round two of the Disability Sport Fife 7s League supported by the Scottish Football Association and Kirkcaldy HS was held on Wednesday 19th February. Ten secondary school teams from throughout Fife competed in the S1/S2 and S3-S6 junior and senior competitions for pupils with additional support needs. This year for the first time players will be competing for the Russell Hogg Cup and George Courts Jnr trophy.

After the first round in the S1/S2 competition, Lochgelly HS juniors led the way with 9 points and Bell Baxter HS and Queen HS occupied the second spot with 6 points each. Queen Anne HS juniors topped the table at the end of round two with 8 points, one ahead of Bell Baxter HS and two points ahead of round one winners Lochgelly HS. After two rounds however Lochgelly HS retain first place with 15 points, 1 point ahead of Queen Anne HS and 2 points ahead of Bell Baxter HS. Jake Petty from Queen Anne HS is the current leading goal scorer with 13 points.

In the S3-S6 competition Balwearie HS pupils led the way at the end of the first round with 12 points, two points ahead of Lochgelly HS. Balwearie HS pupils retained their form in round two, topping the table for a second time with 11 points, two ahead of Lochgelly HS and Queen Anne HS. Overall the S3-S6 positions are Balwearie HS 1st, Lochgelly HS 2nd and Queen Anne HS 3rd with one round still to play. The top two teams in the senior competition will represent Fife at the National Championships organised by the Scottish FA and Scottish Disability Sport. Ryan Baird from Lochgelly HS is the top scorer with 14 goals. Also taking part in the League were the pupils from Woodmill HS and Madras College.

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) is indebted to the Scottish FA for the grant it received this year to develop football opportunities for players with additional support needs. DSF is also indebted to referees

Andrew McGachan and Tommy Roberts plus Secretary Derek Lowe from Fife Referees Association for support of the 7s League since its inception.

In attendance and offering support were DSF partners Lee Bailey and Davie Honeyman (Fife Council/Scottish FA Football Development Officers), Matthew Solomons (Pars Foundation) and Paul Greig (Raith Rovers). The delivery of football in Fife for players with additional support needs involves all the key key agencies and most importantly it is inclusive in ethos and practice.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

Scottish Disability Sport Boccia Conference Sunday 23 February 2020

Thirty-eight participants attended the inaugural Scottish Disability Sport Boccia Conference at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs.

Gavin Macleod, CEO, set the tone of the day by saying he  hoped it would be informal and informative. He was followed by Patrick Wilson ( BC3 Boccia UK athlete) providing an honest and humorous account of his journey in boccia.

Delegates then attended two workshops, in which the key messages were as follows.

Session Planning

  • Need for Planning
  • Each coach needs to plan as an individual
  • Plan – Do – Review

Club development

  • Boccia should be fun when introducing new players
  • Transitioning from boccia session to boccia clubs
  • Recruit, retain and reward boccia workforce

Officiating and Rules

  • Process needs to be followed
  • Constant requirement to update and refresh on rules
  • Support available

Creative coaching

  • Lots of easy accessible equipment
  • Simple skills
  • Fun, fun and more fun

Over lunch, four poster sessions took place which allowed delegates to explore topics, from Girls in Boccia to refereeing and  from pathways to equipment.

Claire Morrison, SDS Vice Chair and Boccia UK Performance Coach, closed the conference by thanking all delegates for attending, the workshop and poster facilitators and a special thanks was given to Andrinne Craig who was stepping down from chairing the Boccia Scotland Group since its inception.  Finally, the staff at Inverclyde were acknowledged for their tremendous support on the day.

What a great group of individuals making boccia happen.  Thank you.

Picture: Delegates in attendance at the SDS Boccia Conference  

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport Awards

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport – Sports Performer and Team of the Year Awards
South Lanarkshire are looking for nominations for their Sports Performer and Team of the Year Awards that will take place on 19 May 2019. Please nominate anyone from South Lanarkshire who has excelled or improved in their sport in the last year in any of the following categories:

  • Adult Male Sports Person of the Year
  • Adult Female Sports Person of the Year
  • Junior Male Sports Person of the Year (must be under 18 as at 1 Jan 2019)
  • Junior female Sports Person of the Year (must be under 18 as at 1 Jan 2019)
  • Club of the Year
  • Coach of the Year
  • School of the Year (Primary)
  • School of the Year (Secondary)

The closing date for nominations is Friday 3 April 2020

South Lanarkshire Disability Sports – Sports Performer and Team of the Year 2019 nomination form

Ayrshire Sportsability Awards

In 2009 ASA introduced awards to promote and applaud local achievements in sports for people with a disability in Ayrshire and Arran.  This years winners will be announced at our annual Charity Ball on Saturday 21st March 2020 at the Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse.

 Ayrshire Sportsability Award Categories

Young Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by University of the West of Scotland  —This award is for a student who has displayed exceptional qualities in disability sport (The young person must have been 18 or under at the time of participation) The deciding criteria will be: Dedication, Effort, Significant achievements in medals/trophies.

Athlete of the Year Award —This award is for an athlete who has displayed exceptional qualities in disability sport (over 18 at the time of participation) The deciding criteria will be: Dedication, Effort, Significant achievements in medals/trophies

Most Active School Award —This award is made to a school in Ayrshire or an individual within a school who has promoted a new initiative for children and young people with a disability: Criteria will include Inclusion and Innovation

Activity in the Community Award sponsored by Vibrant Communities East Ayrshire —This award is for a club that has made a difference over the year in delivering sports to people with a disability. This award recognises the skill, experience and devotion that exist in disability sport.

Disability Sports Coach of the Year sponsored by Ayrshire College   – This award is for a coach who has made a difference in delivering disability sports to people with a disability.

The Award will be decided using the following criteria: Continual professional development, Helping others achieve their goals, Club/Individual Achievements.

Nomination form

 

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport: Committee Member

Recruiting body: South Lanarkshire Disability Sport

Closing date: Friday 20 March 2020

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport (SLDS) is a voluntary sport group where the 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 four local authority areas of Camglen, Hamilton, Clydedale, East Kilbride. SLDS 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. SLDS achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) which ensures all governance is up to date and appropriate. The committee of SLDS now wishes to appoint new committee members to join the branch.

Role Title – Committee Member (voluntary)

Organisation – South Lanarkshire Disability Sport (SLDS)

Responsible to – South Lanarkshire Disability Sport Committee

Location – South Lanarkshire

Contract – This is a voluntary position, but all reasonable expenses will be paid. Committee members will be expected to attend branch meetings (held 4-6 times per year), support the branch to maintain SDS Minimum Operating Requirements and support the chairperson in driving the branch forward. The Level of time commitment is flexible and will be tailored to suit the applicant’s current commitments and the needs of the branch.

Term – Minimum 2 year (can be re-elected at annual AGM)

SKILLS REQUIRED:

  • Enthusiastic
  • Prepared to make a regular time commitment
  • Prepared to make decisions when necessary
  • Passionate about disability sport

MAIN DUTIES:

  1. Responsibility for attending committee management meetings and reporting back to appropriate members with matters arising from meeting (if required).
  2. When unable to attend meetings, send apologies along with a short report to the Secretary for the minutes.
  3. Complete trustee’s declaration.
  4. Be completely familiar with SLDS constitution, clubs/organisation committee procedures and the SLDS rules and regulations.
  5. Vote on SLDS matters when asked to and attend EGM and AGM meetings.
  6. To support SLDS to ensure SDS Minimum Operating Standards are kept up to date and complete.
  7. To be part of committee sub groups assisting in: Securing funds, organising events and strengthening communications with members and clubs
  8. Support the chairperson in the work of SLDS

Interviews

Interviews will be arranged after the closing date.

Applications

All applicants should send a note of interest to Patrick Murphy on Patrick.Murphy@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk 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 Patrick Murphy on the above email.

Reid Celebrates New Top 5 Ranking & Doubles Success

Gordon Reid is celebrating a return to the world’s top five this week after his impressive start to
2020 continued with his latest singles final and a fourth successive doubles title with fellow Brit Alfie Hewett over the weekend in Rotterdam.

Reigning Paralympic champion Reid, who is part of the LTA’s GB Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme, is no stranger to success at the ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. He won the singles title at the ITF 1 Series event in 2015 and 2016 and has also claimed three previous doubles titles in Rotterdam, where the wheelchair tennis event is integrated with one of Europe’s most popular ATP 500 tournaments.

In his first tournament since reaching the men’s singles final and winning the men’s doubles at the Australian Open, Reid, 28, enjoyed straight sets wins over Sweden’s Stefan Olsson and Belgium’s Joachim Gerard to set up the first ever all-Brit final in Rotterdam. However, despite five of the first seven games of their latest head-to-head going to deuce and the high-quality contest lasting an hour and 31 minutes, it was Hewett that added his name to the roll of honour 6-0, 6-3. Reid said: “I’m very happy to have reached back to back singles finals, with some solid performances to take out top two 10 players in straight sets in the quarter and semi-finals. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find my highest level in the final and the best man won on the day. But I’m looking forward now to getting some more match play under my belt in Bolton.”

Reid, who has returned to the world’s top five this week for the first time since December 2018, is top seed for the men’s singles at the Bolton Indoor, a tournament he has also won twice before. The event continues until Saturday.

He will also be seeking back-to-back doubles titles in Bolton after partnering Hewett to their first title together in Rotterdam. The world’s top-ranked doubles pairing since winning their first Australian Open title as a pairing, Hewett and Reid beat Wimbledon champions Gerard and Olsson 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final before defeating reigning Paralympic champions Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer of France 6-1, 4-6, (10-5) after a deciding match tiebreak.

After winning his fourth doubles title in Rotterdam to maintain his and Hewett’s unbeaten partnership for 2020, doubles world No.2 Reid added: “I thought myself and Alfie performed very well as a team again this week. We had the perfect start to the year in doubles in Australia, so it was important for us to keep the momentum flowing in Rotterdam.”

Reid partners another fellow Brit, Dermot Bailey, in the men’s doubles at this week’s Bolton Indoor.

For news and updates from the Bolton Indoor follow on Twitter @WChairTennisGB and @the_LTA and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GBWheelchairTennis/.

To find out more about the LTA’s work with disability tennis, head to www.lta.org.uk/play or email disabilitytennis@lta.org.uk.

Table Tennis Scotland Pathways Manager

It is an exciting time for table tennis in Scotland and as part of the continued development of the organisation, Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) is seeking a dynamic individual to take on the role of Pathways Manager (PM).

This new position will support the Board of Directors and the Chief Operating Officer in implementing the development of table tennis throughout Scotland with an emphasis on building pathways into the sport which enables people to achieve their full potential in their chosen field. It is a challenging role and the successful candidate will take the organisation forward in achieving the objectives set out in the new TTS Strategic Plan, 2019-23.

The successful applicant will have a proven track record in sports development or a related discipline and experience of managing people, volunteers, budgets and projects. Knowledge of table tennis and the current Scottish sporting landscape would be advantageous.

This is a full-time post supported by sportscotland and based in the TTS office at Caledonia House, Edinburgh, with the post holder expected to travel throughout Scotland. The successful candidate will also have access to comprehensive training and support for professional development.

A full job description and application form can be downloaded from the TTS website or by contacting the TTS office on 0131 317 8077.

Pathways Manager for TTS

Wheelchair Moto Cross & Adaptive Skate Jam

On the 21st March between 6pm & 10pm the 2020 UK WCMX and Adaptive Skate Jam takes place in the at Graystone Action Sports in Salford, Manchester hosted by Womens WCMX World Champion Lily Rice.

WCMX or Wheel Chair Moto Cross is a new para sport that involves taking your wheelchair to the Skatepark and doing tricks on it. This year we are also reaching out to the community to see whether the UK has any Adaptive Skateboarders that would like to take part.

The aim of the Jam is to get like minded people of any age together that want to experience skating whether in a chair or on a board at one of the UK’s finest skateparks. Participants will need to bring with them suitable safety equipment such as gloves, elbow and knee pads and a helmet and their own wheelchair/ Skateboard. Equipment will need to be mechanically sound. RMA Sport Wheel chairs will be bringing  a few demo WCMX chairs to try but numbers are limited.

There will be Spotters and Pushers to assist riders should they be required. All riders must become a members of Graystone Action Sports which is simple and free.

https://bookings.graystoneactionsports.co.uk/Waivers/OnsiteWaiverStep1.aspx

Participants must also complete the registration sign up forms by contacting info@lilyricewcmx.com prior to the event. There will be a £10 entry free payable on the day.

We look forward to seeing you there.