The Get Out Get Active (GOGA in Fife) programme plans to encourage and support inactive individuals and groups to engage and remain “active for life”. It focuses on increasing the number of people who are active, through effective engagement and signposting to local quality physical activity options.
Supported by Spirit of 2012, GOGA in Fife will inspire children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability, plus significant others, to access and enjoy active recreation, including sport. GOGA in Fife is inclusive in ethos and practice and involves key Disability Sport Fife partners Fife Council, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, Scottish Disability Sport, the local voluntary sector and three national partners concerned with walking, cycling and swimming.
With support from GOGA, Disability Sport Fife (DSF) has teamed up with the Scottish FA Football Development Officers from Active Fife and the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust to introduce a walking football programme for participants with additional support needs. The programme has offered DSF its first opportunity to locate a session within the Beacon Leisure Centre in Burntisland on Thursday mornings between 11 00 and 12 00. The plan however is to roll out a programme across Fife throughout the year.
Scottish FA Coach Dave Costello leads the session in his unique charismatic style. Participants from West Fife CSS, Central Fife CSS and Balwearie HS Department for Pupils with Additional Support Needs are attending regularly. Within a few weeks 20 participants have registered. Specifically targeted are players with severe and complex needs and those who are no longer able to play the running version of the game that they know and love. The promotion of walking is a key driver of GOGA in Fife and walking football is proving to be a very popular walking activity.
Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife