2023 gave us plenty to cheer about! Here’s a shortlist of some of those top moments.
By Emma Logan, Communications Manager
SCOTS DOMINATE BC4s AT UK CHAMPS
It was a 1-2 for the Scots in Warwick as McGuire and McLelland faced off at the UK Championships.
It was redemption for Stephen McGuire who sealed BC4 gold after settling for bronze at last year’s meet. In the Scottish gold medal final, the experienced McGuire faced off rising star, Tyler McLelland. The youngster gave McGuire a good fight but was unable to stop McGuire’s winning ways.
The Scots also found the podium in the BC3 category, with a bronze by Edinburgh’s Patrick Wilson. Wilson rode that medal momentum into the following World Cup (in Fortaleza) where he bettered his performance, winning a silver with ramp assistant Meredith Greenwood. He last made a World Cup podium in 2019, so he should be feeling confident heading into 2024.
MEDAL MOMENTUM FOR DYNAMIC DUO
Stephen McGuire was no stranger to the podium in the pairs competition, as he found great success alongside Fiona Muirhead.
After joining the Boccia UK squad in 2022, Muirhead has gone from strength to strength, just like her partnership with McGuire. The Lanarkshire duo clinched bronze with a 3-1 over Colombia at the Montreal World Cup, in the BC4 pairs. It was another medal to McGuire’s collection but a first-ever World Cup medal for Muirhead and certainly, not her last.
The pair climbed the podium to seal silver in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) at the European Championships.
Continuing their medal momentum, McGuire and Muirhead claimed gold in style at the Heraklion Challenger in Crete. The BC4 pair were undefeated across all four games, closing the season on a high.
FIFE’S RISING STAR
2023 was a momentous year for Fife’s Tyler McLelland, as he was selected to be part of Boccia UK’s first ever Talent Transition Squad.
McLelland was one of four players selected, who will be exposed to more international competitions as well as attending training camps alongside some of Great Britain’s top boccia players.
The 17 year-old is part of the Scottish Boccia Squad and is coached by Claire Morrison. He got people’s attention and demonstrated his potential when he won his debut individual international match in 2022.
He has continued to excel in boccia throughout 2023, a major sporting highlight for McLelland being winning pairs gold with Sophie Newnham (from England) at the World Youth Championships. The future looks very bright for this young man.
BOCCIA DEVELOPMENT
As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games fast approach, great headway has been made in the sport’s development.
In 2023, weekly training sessions were launched at The Peak, in Stirling. Coaches from Boccia UK and Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) lead the coached sessions for both GB and Scottish athletes.
“The sessions in Stirling provide a great opportunity for GB and Scottish athletes and coaches to work together, support and learn from each other. Many boccia athletes tend to train on their own so to be able to bring everyone together on a weekly basis definitely helps to push us all on”, said Claire Morrison, boccia coach.
In addition, Alloa now hosts a bimonthly Scottish Squad session.
Shoutout to Ross and Stewart McNeil (ramp operator) who took silver at the Boccia England Team and Pairs competition. Paired with Cecilia Turk and ramp operator, Mervyn Turk (England), the duo came second in the BC3 category.
2023 was littered with strong performances from Kayleigh Haggo.
Haggo, who joined the World Class Programme at the beginning of the year, was part of Team Great Britain’s bronze performance at the Montreal World Cup. They beat Japan 5-3 but went out to the gold medallists, South Korea, conceding 5-7.
Despite not reaching the podium, Haggo left quite the impression at the Heraklion Challenger. She enters 2024, brimming with potential.
As 2023 draws to an end it’s time to reflect on some of the top moments across Scotland.
Here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights, divided by the regions in Scotland.
By Emma Logan, Communications Manager
EAST OF SCOTLAND –
Frame runners at Corstorphine AC
2023 was a groundbreaking year for the East region. In the spring, Corstorphine Athletics Club welcomed Frame Running sessions and in doing so, became the very first club in Edinburgh to offer this training to athletes with a disability. More information here.
In the same month, great success was found on the court as the Edinburgh Giants Wheelchair Rugby team was formed. SDS provided support in it’s launch at the Edinburgh University Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym. Through weekly training sessions and national matches, the club went on to receive great recognition within the sport and developed exponentially.
The Edinburgh Giants WHRL Club’s foundation is built on inclusivity and each player brings great uniqueness. The club attracts a diverse range of people, with the majority of people joining without past experience playing the sport. Some players have even gone on to represent Scotland on an international level. To find out more or get involved, visit here.
GRAMPIAN –
In September, Grampian celebrated another fantastic Parasport Festival.
24 children, aged 6-17 years-old, attended the event in which they got to try multiple sports including: swimming, Paddle sports (kayak and canoe), judo, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, Snowsports, boccia and all disciplines of athletics.
SDS Parasport festivals provide a unique opportunity for young people with either a physical disability, vision impairment or hearing loss to try sport in a safe and inclusive environment.
Josef Tautscher, Regional Development Manager for Grampian, regarded the day as a huge success and highlighted its significance when he said: “The Grampian Parasport Festival is an important opportunity for kids across the region to come and try sports and activities with their peers, often for the first time! It’s an awesome day of fun, showcasing the opportunities that are available for these kids to take part meaningfully in a safe and inclusive environment. For many parents coming along it allowed them to see what is possible and, in many cases, surprising them with what their child was able to do and achieve. The event was a great success with positive feedback from everyone and I’m looking forward to welcoming more kids from across the region to our 2024 Parasport Festival! A big thank you to everyone for coming along and to the Clubs & Coaches, Governing Bodies, Aberdeen Sports Village and of course the Students from North East Scotland College, for making the event happen.”
Video highlights of Grampian’s Parasport festival can be found here. You can learn more about SDS’ Parasport Festivals here.
FIFE –
Fife celebrated its first ever Women and Girls Day in May. The event was a huge success, attracted over 80 participants. The day gave women and girls the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity. It also provide a social setting in which women and girls could connect and form friendships, in a fun and safe environment.
Further celebrations continued throughout the year for Fife, with Steve Doig from Fife AC
Steve Doig accepting his award at SSA 2023
winning the Sport Scotland Coach of the Year Award (in December).
“It’s a great honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award and to actually win is incredible. In reality I feel it’s an award for the whole of our training group, both athletes and coaches”, said Steve Doig upon receiving the award.
Doig supports many athletes, including coaching Ben Sandilands to gold in the men’s 1500m T20 at the Paris 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, on his debut.
“The nomination is based on the successful performances of some top quality Para athletes and their success is aided by the assistance of many training partners and support coaches. It’s great recognition for athletics and more specifically Para athletics.”
He continued to say, “It’s important to stress that there are hundreds of people across athletics clubs in Scotland doing exactly the same as me, but I’m in the incredibly fortunate position of working with a group of high profile Para athletes. I’m very proud of what people have achieved, but also proud of the fact that so many people have been involved in helping these athletes fulfil their potential.”
WEST –
The West made great strides in development, in a variety of areas and sports.
The SDS Get Active Referral Programme has now been implemented in 12 of 14 NHS health boards. To date, 46% of individuals who have been referred as part of the scheme by Allied Health Professionals, have been supported to engage in sport and/or physical activity, such as swimming, athletics and wheelchair sports including wheelchair basketball.
Lorna Sinclair, Advanced Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist, NHSGGC Specialist Children’s Services, commented on the scheme: “In my 10 years of being with NHSGGC and accessing SDS for inclusion and activity support for our patients – I’ve never had as many compliments from parents as I’ve had over the past 6 months. Whatever you’re doing at SDS, keep doing it – it makes a huge difference to the health, wellbeing, esteem and acceptance for our children and their families and carers.”
As the end of the year drew closer, on Monday 11th December the University of Strathclyde Sport hosted an Active Campus Christmas Festival where over 50 supported learning students from City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Kelvin College, Glasgow Clyde College and West College Scotland attended the event. The students got to try a number of sports including Boccia, Badminton, Football and Zumba which were all delivered by City of Glasgow HND sports coaching students. The event was brilliantly organised by the newly appointed Active Campus Coordinators from each college with the support of Scottish Student Sport and Scottish Disability Sport on the day. It was a huge success and leaves plenty scope for more of the same next year.
There were great developments in increasing opportunities in sport in South Lanarkshire. The South Lanarkshire Disability Sport Multisport and Boccia Sessions began in East Kilbride, in June. The sessions offered new opportunities for participants with disabilities of any age and ability to try out new sports and get involved with Boccia.
“With The start-up of the SLDS Multisport and Boccia sessions I am very happy that there are now more opportunities for people with disabilities to come along and participate in sport. The participants have all enjoyed the sessions and the ability to try new things and find sports that they love to play,” said Regional Development Manager, Colette Martin.
Martin continued, “I am thankful for all the support from SLDS committee, the coaches and the volunteers who come along every week to the sessions and provide amazing support to those who participate and I am glad that the participants and their families have a new opportunity to get involved in sport within their community.”
TAYSIDE –
There was brilliance in boccia for Tayside.
Alex Medley (18) from Perth Eagles Boccia Club won the gold medal in Scottish BISFED Boccia Championships in the BC2 category. Alex has been supported to progress his overall game from playing with his local club to then the Tayside regional boccia squad, to now where he trains with the Scottish National Development squad currently coached by Paralympian, Peter McGuire.
Alex Medley smiles after winning a boccia match
“It’s been amazing to see the progress Alex has made in 2023. He is very tactically aware and has added so many key elements to his game”, said Tayside’s regional development manager, Graeme Doig.
“He also helps with some coaching at Perth Eagles and has gained his Level 1 Boccia Officials qualification. I’m really excited to see what’s next in Alex’s boccia journey in 2024”, said Doig.
Dundee City Disability Sport, in partnership with Leisure & Sport Dundee and supported by Scottish Disability Sport, were delighted to host this year’s Discovery Games – the 24th year of delivering this event. The Discovery Games are held in September every year with almost 300 people with disabilities competing in the various championships, including: Wheelchair Basketball, Badminton, Equestrian, Powerchair Football, Boccia, Carpet Bowls and this year introduced a new style SOMA Festival.
“The discovery games have been a mainstay of the events calendar for many years and each event is always so well run with a clear focus of giving opportunities for people with
disabilities to participate, progress and perform with their peers”, commented Graeme Doig.
“The return this year to a full schedule of events following the pandemic was great to see and huge credit must go to Darren Thomson at Leisure and Sport Dundee who brings so many people together to make the games happen”, said Doig.
CENTRAL –
November 2023 saw the return of the East Dunbartonshire Inclusion Forum, where over 10 clubs attended alongside the LA.
Through the ED Inclusion Forum, it’s the first time that clubs in East Dunbartonshire have had the opportunity to come together to discuss the state of inclusion in the local authority since the pandemic. The meeting was crucial to create club engagement around inclusion and inclusive opportunities and will continue going forward as a regular forum.
A few months prior, Forth Valley won the Bob Mitchell Trophy at 2023 Scottish Senior Athletics Championship in Grangemouth.
The sport in the local area has endured some challenging years recently and so receiving the trophy was a significant moment for Forth Valley and an encouraging one for the sport’s development at a local level.
HIGHLAND –
Highland welcomed Alison Thompson as Highland Disability Sport (HDS) Co-Ordinator.
Alison Thompson sitting at her desk
Thompson came into the role already familiar with HDS’ work, as she previously volunteered with HDS. She co-ran the athletics group at the athletics track in Inverness and also coached at D.I.S.C at Drummond school. She also helped out with some summer sports projects over at Dingwall Academy around 2012. From leaving High School she went to work at Drummond School for ten years and thoroughly enjoyed her time there.
Thompson comes with a wealth of experience and she is eager understand where her skills and expertise can be applied, to help HDS thrive and give opportunities to those who may have struggled to participate in the fantastic work that has already being done. Based at Culloden Library, she will be working alongside the High Life Highland Disability Sport Development Officers, Charlie Forbes and Fiona Green.
To find out more and/or get involved in your region, please contact Scottish Disability Sport via –
Encourage by friends and colleagues to apply, Kathryn Talbot-Heigh joined the SDS team as the Highlands regional development manager in mid-September (2023).
Talbot-Heigh enters the role with a strong skillset gained throughout her years of experience as a coach and instructor. She has always had an interest in sport and working with individuals with a disability, influenced by her personal life as well as her professional. Her career has seen her running her own swim school, coaching at the Grantown swim club and being a gymnastics coach at Inverness Gymnastics club. Talbot-Heigh further gained skills and experience through being a support worker at a local nursery where she worked with an individual with autism and delivered 1-2-1 play therapy.
One of the first things that attracted Talbot-Heigh to the role was the ability to make a difference. This is something that she has always been passionate about and the role will give her the opportunity to do so; having an impact on individuals and at community level.
Talbot-Heigh is conscious that changing perceptions and awareness of disability sport and involvement in mainstream sporting clubs is going to be a challenge but an exciting one that she is already quite familiar with. A way of influencing opinions and perceptions is through opening a dialogue; allowing people to be curious and want to ask questions about disability and disability sport. It’s an area she’d like to develop to help provide more opportunities as well as developing and improving the pathways already available.
Another focus area that the new RDM is looking to work on, is “normalising the disability”.
Photo of Kathryn Talbot-Heigh
One way in achieving this is giving athletes and coaches out with disability sport, access to disability sport and opportunities to train with athletes with a disability. She believes that if you can provide coaches and players with experiences of participating in Para sports that they will gain more of an understanding and an insight into how to behave, interact and communicate with an individual who has a disability. The hope is that this will result in Para athletes having not only a greater experience but also providing a wider group of individuals chances to become more build understanding and compassion.
Talbot-Heigh is ready to tackle barriers and fight limitations through creative thinking and problem solving throughout her role as the Highlands new regional development manager.
Dundee & Angus College will host the 10th Tayside Parasport Festival in March 2024, welcoming pupils from mainstream schools across Angus, Dundee City and Perth & Kinross.
Pupils with either a physical disability, vision impairment or hearing loss are invited to try out nine different sports on Wednesday 6th March, as part of Scottish Disability Sport’s Parasport festival campaign.
Wheelchair Basketball, Badminton, Curling, Judo, Football, Goalball, Boccia, Athletics and Triathlon will be available to try at Dundee & Angus College on the 6th, whilst Paddle sports and swimming will be on offer at Perth Leisure Pool, as a second Parasport day on Saturday 9th March.
Parasport festival participant trying canoe
The event is designed to allow young people to experience a wide range of Para sports delivered by some of the best clubs and coaches available in Tayside. Activities have been selected where strong club links are already established, so that children can continue to participate and develop locally.
It is especially exciting to offer this opportunity during the Paralympic year as we look forward to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games taking place between 28 August to 8 September, where thousands of athletes from over 100 countries will compete and inspire the next generation of young people with a disability.
In 2019, Scottish Disability Sport celebrated 10 years of Parasport Festivals. Please check out this promotional video. We hope this will help to highlight the aims and impact of the Parasport Festival.
Our event is supported by sport coaching and development students from Dundee & Angus College who always do a fantastic job encouraging and supporting the participants throughout the day to ensure everyone feels at ease and participates to the best of their ability.
“It’s always great to see so many pupils with smiles on their faces all day long learning new skills, increasing confidence and making new friends. For many, their sporting journey starts now and I look forward to following up with everyone to support them into weekly participation for the sports they enjoyed”, said Graeme Doig, SDS Tayside Regional development Manager (RDM).
Rosie Randall trying frame running
“I started going to Perth Eagles because it sounded fun and they do lots of different sports in wheelchairs. Graeme introduced me to Frame Running and I really enjoy it because I don’t feel like I’m exercising because it’s so much fun!” Commented Parasport festival participant, Rosie Randall (11 years-old, Perth).
Devin, Rosie’s Mum, said: “Since Rosie started going to the Eagles, Harriers and Judo, her confidence has grown so much that she is now more independent. It has been great for her to meet new friends with all different kinds of disabilities and to realise anything is possible whether you are in a wheelchair or not. I am so thankful we have such amazing clubs like these available for people like Rosie to participate in.”
Pupils playing boccia
Further Details: How To Register –
Wednesday 6 March 2024 – Registration will take place between 9:45am – 10:15am.
The event will start promptly at 10:15am and finish at 2.15pm
Committed volunteer aspires to develop disability sport up North.
By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice
Highland Disability Sport (HDS) branch recently welcomed Alison Thompson, as the newly appointed branch administrator. Alison was initially interested in the position after volunteering for the branch at their multi-sports and athletics club. She comes with a wealth of experience after working many years in disability sport across the world.
During her time working at a local sensory school in Inverness, Thompson attended a trip to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Fiona Green, still an active employee at HDS, joined her on the trip and together they witnessed first-hand the positive impact that role models and sporting icons can have on up-and-coming athletes.
This experience, coupled with her admiration for the HDS team, influenced Thompson’s decision to apply for the position as branch administrator.
Her work as a volunteer not only fuelled her passion for disability sport but also developed her awareness of the importance of the social elements that sport provides. Thompson understood that by creating an inclusive environment, more people can benefit from this social impact.
Her interest was heightened when she took a year out from employment and travelled to Australia. During this trip Thompson worked at sensory schools and was fortunate to work at the national games for Special Olympics Australia, where she helped run the football tournament.
So far in her new position at HDS, Thompson is really enjoying meeting current athletes, coaches, and volunteers – experiencing all the great work that is being done by the branch.
Looking towards 2024, Thompson is already organising and planning exciting, inclusive opportunities, such as the Highland Parasport Festival. The festival will take place on Saturday 3rd February at the Craig Maclean leisure centre.
Travel is currently being planned for athletes and this is always a vital learning opportunity for young people on their ‘playground to podium’ journey. With competitions taking place throughout the country, events like this provide athletes with a valuable travel experience.
Events like this further highlight the important roles played by parents, teachers and coaches.
A further ongoing challenge is the requirement for more volunteers. The HDS branch need more volunteers to continue providing current sessions and events. Simultaneously, volunteers will allow the branch to continue to develop the ecosystem of Para sports and new opportunities.
Thompson believes that new, creative ways should be employed to showcase how rewarding and inspiring volunteering can be, in order to attract new volunteers.
In 2024, Thompson is keen to meet more athletes, coaches and volunteers; eager to hear their stories and understand how they got involved in disability sport. Additionally, she is eager to attend major events outside her region, to learn and consider whether these activities can be implemented in the Highlands.
British Blind Sport (BBS) is hosting a free sports taster event for blind and partially sighted people in Glasgow, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport. The event will take place on Saturday, January 27th from 10am to 3pm at the Emirates Arena, 1000 London Road, Glasgow G40 3HG. The event will feature a fantastic line-up of sporting activities for blind and partially sighted people of all ages and abilities to participate in alongside their friends and family. Confirmed activities include athletics, judo, tennis, and goalball.
BBS ‘Have a Go’ Days have been held successfully across the country for many years, encouraging blind and partially sighted people to become more active. The event will give blind and partially sighted people in Glasgow and the surrounding area the opportunity to try adapted sports and learn about inclusive opportunities that they can continue to enjoy and participate in after the event in their local area.
Vicky Cook, Participation Officer at British Blind Sport said, “We are delighted to start the new year by hosting a ‘Have a Go’ Day in Glasgow to give blind and partially sighted people a chance to try out different sports and hopefully discover a new passion or hobby. Physical activity plays such an important role in living a happy and healthy life, our ‘Have a Go’ Days ensure that more people will get an opportunity to experience some of the activities available.” To register to attend, please follow the link to complete the form:
Stefan Hoggan-Radu speaks about his journey in sport and life, as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Laces Campaign.
Stefan Hoggan-Radu has represented the LGBTQ+ community on many occasions as an elite Para athlete. Since his retirement from competitive sport he has continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the political world, currently holding the position as Councillor for North East Fife.
A now proud spokesperson for disability and LGBTQ+ rights, his personal journey of self-love and acceptance was filled with challenges. Bullied throughout school for having a disability, Hoggan-Radu was apprehensive to share his sexual orientation.
At 23 years-old he was training as a British triathlete and was worried about the reaction that he would get from his fellow athletes and the triathlon community after coming out. However, when he came out he had nothing but acceptance from his peers and surrounding community.
When asked how this impacted his performance in sport, Hoggan-Radu explained that this emotional strain didn’t impact his results when competing. However, he recognises the impact that it had on his long term mental health, with him appreciating that this would have ultimately effected his training performance and routine.
Before triathlon, swimming was his first sport which saw him compete on the international stage. After missing out on the 2014 Common Wealth Games by 0.02 seconds, he took the tough decision to retire from swimming.
His involvement with Para swimming paved the way for his political career. After becoming a member of the Young Person’s Sport Panel, he embarked on a trip to America, through an exchange with Blaze sport. This trip was incredibly insightful, getting to analyse policy and procedures along with attending the British Embassy in Washington as a representative. This partly influenced his decision to enter the field of politics.
His personal experience of being bullied at school highlighted the, “real injustice around how disabled individuals are treated. They aren’t represented.” This was something that he wanted to change.
When asked what inclusivity means to him, not only as a former athlete but also a member of the SNP, he shared a memorable moment that took place following the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
When he was going to training, a child saw him and their first reaction was, “Mum, that is really cool. That man only has one arm. He could be in the Paralympics!”
Hoggan-Radu credits UK broadcasters for striving to be more inclusive and have better visual representation on screen. As a result of broadcasting the Paralympics, this child saw a disability and a future for them competing in sport.
He finds this memory very heartwarming and he believes that if more people see a disability, we can create a more accepting and inclusive society, which ultimately, will make the world a better place.
The Rainbow Laces Campaign concluded on Sunday (10th) and leads the way on supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, fitness and physical activity. Scottish Disability Sport are proud to support the Rainbow Laces Campaign and will continue to promote and encourage a fully inclusive society.
Congratulations to Midlothian’s Samantha Gough on winning her first ever British Rowing indoor championships this past weekend in Birmingham, with the PR3 2k race Gold medal. Samantha says ‘I’ve learnt so much and excited to keep improving. Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening’.
Samantha competes in several sports. She played Visually Impaired Football for England and last year took bronze in the European Para Youth Games as the only Scot representing her country at goalball, which she was introduced to at a Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festival. She has recently been selected for the British Rowing Performance pathway. Samantha’s goal is to continue her journey to the Paralympics Paris 2024, and LA 2028
Samantha recently won the Midlothian Award at the Midlothian Young People’s Awards ceremony in recognition of her sporting achievements. She was also commended in the UK parliament for this .with an Early day motion.
She is an ambassador for visually impaired and blind young people, spending her time visiting schools and educational settings. She works at raising awareness for adaptive sports within mainstream settings, making sure that young people with disabilities have the same opportunities in sport as their peers. She felt that she was excluded from PE within school so wants to ensure other young people have better experiences.
Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festivals 2024:
Scottish Disability Sport were extremely lucky to have a catch up with current Great Britain and Loughborough Lightning wheelchair basketball star, Robyn Love, who made time in her busy training calendar to speak to us.
Love has had a successful career representing Great Britain at the Paralympics, Scotland at the Commonwealth Games whilst also being recently included in the All-Stars team for the first time.
She became aware of Para sports through the 2012 London Paralympics, the first time she, “had ever seen Disability sports”. This serves to highlight the importance of role models and sporting heroes with a disability being visible to young participant in Scotland. Through para sports, Robyn met Tina Gordon who helped her considerably, providing Robyn with her first wheelchair, supporting and training with her, Robyn appreciates everything that Tina has done for her explaining that Tina was a massive influence “propelling me forward for success after success and ten years of fun and adventures”.
When asked whether she feels a responsibility to be a role model in the game due to her own positive experience and the effect this has had on her career, she replied – “absolutely I feel a responsibility, I’m always after more, I want more people playing and watching wheelchair basketball, I’m also extremely passionate to get more women into the sport”. This is something she admits is improving with better access and infrastructure to the women’s game with the creation of the English Premier League. She feels a duty to continue to grow the game. This is one of the reasons that she has taken to social media and specifically TikTok alongside starting her own coaching practice “Love Handles”.
Robyn is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is something that Robyn is passionate about alongside being a role model for other members and athletes. Robyn is aware and appreciative of her own situation – “in a family where I can be my true authentic self and everybody is loving and accepting of that” however, Robyn also commented – “I am lu4cky to be in this position as many people are not in that same place, where they can be comfortable and confident being themselves” This is something that is very important to Robyn, living her best life; representing her family and friends and inspiring anyone out there to be their true authentic selves.
Robyn has recently taken up the position of LGBTQ+ ambassador, with the British Elite Athlete association (BEAA). Through this opportunity Robyn is excited to help create an ally scheme which aims to provide educational opportunities, to not only players and athletes but to teammates and staff members. Robyn enjoys promoting the importance of an environment where “players and staff feel comfortable and confident to go out and be themselves” Robyn wants to “help players not have voices in their heads, by not listening to these individuals players will be able to perform better”. Robyn is relishing this great opportunity and feels that this work is making a difference, helping people to be comfortable in themselves as “at the end of the day our playing careers stop, but we don’t stop being people”.
Robyn feels that “she has had nothing but acceptance within her field”, which she appreciates is partly due to it being a female sport however, she also acknowledges that there is more acceptance in general with there being fantastic role models “coming out” in mainstream sports such as football. Robyn urges more sports to create an inclusive environment.
Over the last couple of years Robyn and her partner have become parents to their baby Alba. Being a parent has helped Robyn whilst playing, bringing a sense of clarity and perspective. Before Alba, Robyn compared herself to a Ted Lasso character with basketball being life. This is something that Robyn is grateful for and believes has changed her outlook on not only basketball but also life. Recently Alba joined the British team at the European Championships, staying in her parents’ room, joining team meetings, and providing a unique form of heckling on the court. The British team took home silver in this competition.
Robyn looks forward to continuing as a role model for the sport and the LGBTQ+ community throughout the season, starting this weekend with Cardiff away. Furthermore, Robyn is keen to keep developing her game to ensure that she is at the Paralympics this summer in Paris. Scottish Disability Sport wishes her every success in the next stage of her exciting adventure.
Watch the full interview on Scottish Disability Sport’s YouTube channel here:
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