Month: April 2019

Scottish Cycling Business Operations and Events Administrator

CONTRACT TYPE: Full time, fixed term position

SALARY: £18,041 – £19,102 per annum (dependent on experience)

REPORTING TO: Business Operations Manager

CLOSING DATE: Monday 22nd April (midday).

Scottish Cycling is the National Governing Body for cycling in Scotland and the largest cycling membership organisation. Our home base and the performance hub for our sport is the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome which was built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Working across six different disciplines of cycling, we are committed to a range of initiatives from playground to podium to create a Nation of Cyclists, maximising participation for all and delivering ongoing international success.

As part of the delivery objectives identified in the Scottish Cycling Strategy 2019-2023, Scottish Cycling has identified Events as a key vehicle to success, providing opportunities and outcomes across all areas of the cycling landscape. Events provide a focal point for clubs, associations, riders and volunteers at all levels from the first local racing opportunity through to regional, national and international competitions on the world stage.

Sound and effective systems and processes are essential to an organisation’s success as it continues to grow and deliver across a number of priority work streams. Ensuring our central office support services are effective, efficient and implemented in a streamlined manner is critical to providing a professional service to our membership, staff, volunteers and key partners.

Scottish Cycling is therefore delighted to offer a new opportunity in role of Business Operations and Events Administrator until 31 March 2020 in the first instance, with the possibility to extend.

Full details can be found on the website here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/20190405-Job-Opportunity–Business-Operations-and-Events-Administrator-0

Fife Welcomes Back Talented Para Swimmer

Throughout his school days Craig Smith was one of Fife’s most promising para swimmers. Post school Craig took time out from swimming to concentrate on his future in higher education and employment.

The brilliant news for Disability Sport Fife and Scottish para swimming is that Craig is back in light training and has decided to participate in the Scottish Senior Championships for physically and sensory impaired swimmers. The championships are scheduled for Saturday 13th April at Grangemouth Sports Complex and will be organised by Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming.

Inspired and supported by ex-Paralympian Lara Ferguson, Craig first decided to put to use his Scottish Swimming Level 1 qualification. Craig was welcomed enthusiastically on to poolside by Glenrothes SC and over the past few months he has established himself as a very popular young teacher. Lara and Craig are in the process of completing their Level 2 swim coaching qualification with support from Fife Council and bursaries from Disability Sport Fife.

Craig was also welcomed on to the Young Start programme with Steven McCormick. The programme is organised by Scottish Disability Sport. The programme will support Craig’s aspirations in volunteering and coaching as well as training and competing.

Best wishes Craig, thank you Lara and Glenrothes SC coaches and swimmers for your support and encouragement. Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club is a truly inclusive swimming club.

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

Ayrshire Sportsability Trustee Vacancies

Recruiting body: Ayrshire Sportsability

Role: Ayrshire Sportsability Trustee

Location – Ayrshire

Ayrshire Sportsability (ASA) 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 Ayrshire. ASA 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. ASA achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) which ensures all governance is up to date and appropriate.

ASA wishes to recruit 3 Trustees to join the Board. They would have a strong and visible passion and commitment to ASA, its objectives and cause.  As a Board member, they will have a collective responsibility for setting the strategic direction and development of the charity, whilst ensuring sound governance and best value at all times. ASA is required to comply with Scottish Charities Act as well as other relevant legislations. Board members have responsibility for ensuring that the activities are carried out in accordance with these requirements and the ASA Constitution.

The Board encourages applications from individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds. ASA seeks applicants with experience and expertise particularly in marketing/promotions, communications/media, health and well-being, stakeholder engagement and local sports communities, finance and fundraising.

Interviews

DATE: Thurs 16 May (2.00 to 6.30pm)

Applications

For an information pack and Application Form, please contact the Chair at admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk .

Please return the completed Application Form to the Chair at admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk by no later than Tuesday 23rd April 2019.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Chair at admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk

British Kickboxing Council Voluntary Vacancies

In addition to the below, the BKC is also looking to attract Non-Executive Directors and other advisors to the Board and several committees (such as the Professional Referees Association).

All voluntary positions can be conducted from anywhere in the UK and entirely in your own hours – all we ask is that you commit as much of your time as you can to the role.

Visit http://the-bkc.com/get-involved/job-listings/ for a full list of vacancies.

PR/Comms Officer
VOLUNTARY – PART-TIME

The BKC is a non-profit organisation, with a Board of Directors which consists of senior members and representatives from a variety of Kickboxing associations and an Executive Board made up of sector specialists and passionate supporters of our sport.

Our immediate goal is the recognition of Kickboxing under the Sports Councils and to gain official National Governing Body status for the BKC. To that end, we have been working for nearly 10 years to create a system of governance, guidance and support for the sport, agreeing upon its direction and development by way of democratic processes which aim to give control over the sport to the sport itself.

Job Description

As PR/Communications Officer, you will be the voice of the BKC, taking responsibility for all internal and external communications, press releases and messaging. Sitting on the Executive Board, the PR/Comms Officer will work with the team to help promote the sport, the BKC and it’s many local/nationwide projects. Although the role is not completely autonomous, as decisions which impact either the sport or the BKC must be put to a vote, your voice will be heard at AGMs, EGMs and regular ongoing discussions regarding the governance of the BKC, and you will be given the chance to propose and manage your own projects.

Responsibilities Include

  • Ensuring that project progress and launches are properly communicated within the BKC and to its Members.
  • Coordinating nationwide promotional campaigns for the sport, including events, courses and participation drives.
  • Working with our existing partners to capitalise on all available communication channels and opportunities for mutual promotion.
  • Work with the Executive Board and Board of Directors to ensure that internal and external Comms are consistent, properly branded and timely.
  • Developing new partnerships with media outlets, influencers, activators and promoters (inc. our Ambassadors).
  • Researching new promotional opportunities, keeping on top of the events calendar to avoid clashes and capitalise on collaborative events.
  • Formulating, planning and delivering internal initiatives aimed at improving Comms within the sport and the BKC itself: This includes Board Members, Committee Members, Officials, Coaches, Athletes and Participants at all levels of the sport and across all disciplines.

Example Of Current Project

The BKC is signed up to Sport England’s #ThisGirlCan campaign, aimed at improving participation figures among young girls and women of all ages. Our Ambassadors would be a fine example of athletes from various backgrounds and of various ages, and would be a great place to start.

Experience

  • Experience (and ideally a qualification) in a PR/Marketing role is preferred.
  • A good knowledge of the sport would also be beneficial.
  • In addition, experience of project work, creating and understanding reports is essential.

http://the-bkc.com/job/pr-comms-officer/

Community Manager
VOLUNTARY – PART-TIME

The BKC is a non-profit organisation, with a Board of Directors which consists of senior members and representatives from a variety of Kickboxing associations and an Executive Board made up of sector specialists and passionate supporters of our sport.

Our immediate goal is the recognition of Kickboxing under the Sports Councils here in the UK and to gain official National Governing Body status for the BKC. To that end, we have been working for nearly 10 years to create a system of governance, guidance and support for Kickboxing community, agreeing upon its direction and development by way of democratic processes which aim to give control over the sport to the sport itself.

Job Description

As Community Manager for the BKC, you will own the two-way flow of information and ideas between the Council, it’s Committees and the tens of thousands of Kickboxers across the UK. Working with the PR Officer and various Project Leads, the Community Manager will focus on ensuring maximum engagement with the Kickboxing community, from casual participants to professional athletes, as well as increasing public understanding of both the sport and our work within it. The Community Manager will also sit on the Executive Board of the BKC, earning full voting rights after a 6 month probationary period.

Responsibilities Include

  • Sourcing, creating and managing engaging content for our social media channels and websites.
  • Encouraging a free flow of ideas between the BKC and the Kickboxing community, through interactive content such as surveys, polls and focus groups.
  • Liaising with Discipline Heads to appoint and maximise the potential of BKC Ambassadors.
  • Coordinating with Project Leads to ensure maximum exposure and impact for any public-facing projects within the BKC.
  • Increasing understanding of the work being undertaken by the BKC, both within the sport and without, and developing trust in that work.
  • Reporting to the BKC Executive Board and Board of Directors on the effectiveness of social media campaigns, as well as providing recommendations for future engagement programs.
  • Identifying and managing relationships with influencers and activators outside of the BKC Ambassadors program.

Experience

  • Experience of community management, ideally within the sporting sector.
  • A good understanding of social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, as well as website editors (such as Wix/Wordpress).
  • Excellent communication skills, including written and spoken English.
  • Some team management experience would be ideal.
  • Experience of project work, including creating and understanding reports, is essential.

http://the-bkc.com/job/community-manager/

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer (EDIO)
VOLUNTARY – PART-TIME

The BKC is a non-profit organisation, with a Board of Directors which consists of senior members and representatives from a variety of Kickboxing associations and an Executive Board made up of sector specialists and passionate supporters of our sport.

Our immediate goal is the recognition of Kickboxing under the Sports Councils and to gain official National Governing Body status for the BKC. To that end, we have been working for nearly 10 years to create a system of governance, guidance and support for the sport, agreeing upon its direction and development by way of democratic processes which aim to give control over the sport to the sport itself.

Job Description

As Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, you will champion the inclusive nature of both the BKC and the sport of Kickboxing. Although the role is not completely autonomous, as decisions which impact either the sport or the BKC must be put to a vote, your voice will be heard at AGMs, EGMs and regular ongoing discussions regarding the governance of the BKC, and you will be given the chance to propose and manage your own projects.

Responsibilities Include

  • Performing Diversity Audits of the Board and the sport as a whole to determine areas in need of development and methods by which diversity in Kickboxing can be improved
  • Ensuring the validity of the BKC’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies and procedures, especially in regard to compliance with the Voluntary Code of Good Governance and other sporting governance codes
  • Ensuring that the above are implemented across the organisation and promulgated throughout its membership
  • Liaising with the Chairman, Secretary and other Standards Board members to ensure collaborative delivery of all duties
  • Forming and coordinating an Equality and Diversity committee/team where necessary
  • Liaising and coordinating with external organisations such as the English Federation of Disability Sport, UK Deaf Sport, Women’s Sports Network, Pride Sport and the Sports Councils to ensure effective delivery of both their and the BKC’s projects regarding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Formulating, planning and delivering internal initiatives aimed at improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the sport and the BKC itself:  This includes Board Members, Committee Members, Officials, Coaches, Athletes and Participants at all levels of the sport and across all disciplines

Example Of Current Project

The BKC is signed up to Sport England’s #ThisGirlCan campaign, aimed at improving participation figures among young girls and women of all ages. Our Ambassadors would be a fine example of athletes from various backgrounds and of various ages, and would be a great place to start.

We have also had conversations with UK Deaf Sport and the National Deaf Children’s Society regarding ways to make Kickboxing more accessible to adults and children with hearing impairments.

Experience

  • Some experience and knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in sport would be ideal.
  • A good knowledge of the sport would also be beneficial.
  • In addition, experience of project work, creating and understanding reports is essential.

http://the-bkc.com/job/equality-and-diversity-officer-edio/

Grassroots Development Officer
VOLUNTARY – PART-TIME

The BKC is a non-profit organisation, with a Board of Directors which consists of senior members and representatives from a variety of Kickboxing associations and an Executive Board made up of sector specialists and passionate supporters of our sport.

Our immediate goal is the recognition of Kickboxing under the Sports Councils here in the UK and to gain official National Governing Body status for the BKC. To that end, we have been working for nearly 10 years to create a system of governance, guidance and support for Kickboxing community, agreeing upon its direction and development by way of democratic processes which aim to give control over the sport to the sport itself.

Responsibilities Include

  • Communicating with the BKC Executive Board and Member Bodies to produce a national strategy for grass-roots development within Kickboxing.
  • Coordinate with clubs and promoters in your region to implement an effective Grass-roots Development plan.
  • Act as a liaison between the BKC and local project leaders.
  • Coordinate with County Sports Partnerships and with related BKC project leads.
  • Coordinate with project partners/sponsors to maximise exposure and impact of all projects.
  • Assemble and manage a team/committee as appropriate.
  • Create and deliver reports to the Executive Board and Member Bodies on the progress of various projects and the overall growth of the sport.

We are in the process of developing a brand-new grassroots development system which will provide four structured programs for coaches and which links sporting development goals with educational framework goals. This will be a key focus for the GDO initially, so experience within the education sector, physical education or enhancing positive social impact with sport would be a huge plus!

Experience

  • Some experience with project management is preferred. A good knowledge of the sport would also be beneficial.
  • A proactive attitude and passion for sport in general is essential.

http://the-bkc.com/job/grass-roots-development-officer-national/

basketballscotland Coach Developer Vacancy

Job Description

basketballscotland are looking for a coach developer who can support and challenge coaches in their own environment, to positively change their coaching practice.  The postholder will be able to build effective relationships with coaches and clubs and will attend club sessions, games and basketballscotland coaching events to support the development of coaches.

Position in Organisation

Reports To: Coach Development Manager (CDM)

Direct Reports: n/a

Budget Responsibilities: The CDM will control the budget

Key Outcomes

The main objectives of this role are:

  1. Deliver a bespoke coach development programme to positively impact coaching practice and behaviour and to improve the quality of coaching
  2. Improve the standard of coaching, leading to improved player development and improved standard of players
  3. Improve the standard of coaching, leading to an increase in the number of players participating in sessions where the focus is learning through fun.

Full information can be found on the basketballscotland website here:
http://basketballscotland.co.uk/2019/04/04/vacancy-coach-developer/

Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations Exhibition Match

Saturday 3rd of March saw another milestone for women’s participation in wheelchair rugby, with a Women’s Exhibition match being featured at the prestigious Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations held in Leicester.

The day started with a Women’s Development Session lead by experienced coach Luke White. At this session women from across the UK came together to learn more about the game and develop their fundamental skills. For me this session highlighted the potential of women in wheelchair rugby and enabled us to practice in a fun yet competitive environment.

In the evening I was privileged to be part of a women’s team that was showcasing the sport at the Quad Nations. This game was livestreamed on the BBC which allowed the match to gain a wider audience and encourage more women to get involved. The teams were made up of female players from all three divisions of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby  League. The squads, which were captained by myself and fellow GB Talent Squad player Faye West, included women with a range of experience from Paralympian Coral Batey to up and coming talent such as Tilly Robinson and Ella Beaumont.

On the night it was an incredibly close game with the Vixens narrowly defeating the Warriors. Personally, this was a great experience for me as I not only had the opportunity to take part in the Quad Nations but also had the chance to play alongside and against some of the awesome women in wheelchair rugby.  

Gemma Lumsdaine, Young Persons Sports Panel

National Visual Impairment Sports Day

“Great day, fantastic coaches and a much-needed opportunity” was the feedback from the National Visual Impairment Sports Day held at St Paul’s RC Academy in Dundee. Fourteen people travelled from the Ayrshires, Midlothian, Grampian and from across Tayside to try a variety of sports offered exclusively for people with visual impairments.

The day sponsored by Celtic FC Foundation was the fourth of its kind to take place across Scotland. It was designed to introduce people with visual impairments to physical activity and sport in a fun, safe environment and then be supported to transition in to a weekly opportunity, ideally within their own locality.

JudoScotland, Goalball UK, Celtic FC Foundation Coaches, Scottish Swimming, Dundee City Aquatics and volunteer coaches from Balgay, Fairfield and Carnoustie Bowling Clubs created fun opportunities for individual to experience their sports. Participants will then be contacted by SDS Regional Managers to identify which sports they would like to try again and facilitate further participation.

SDS works in partnership with Royal National Institute for the Blind, Guide Dogs UK, and NHS Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People to share good practice and work together to introduce more people with sight loss accessing the health and social benefits of sport.

If you or any one you know has a visual impairment and would like to get involved in sport please contact SDS on 0131 317 1130 or alternatively email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Michael Simpson Retires from Para Bowls

The news that Michael Simpson from Auchtermuchty in Fife has decided to retire from para bowls to spend more time with his family is not surprising but of course disappointing. As well as being a successful high performance bowler, Michael is a leader and his influence will be missed greatly in the national squad. In the past decade he has risen from Fife champion to a silver medallist at the IBD world championships in New Zealand. Michael may be retiring but he will be remembered as one of Scotland’s leading para bowlers.

In 2005 Michael was runner up in the Strathmiglo Bowling Club singles championship and a member of the under 25 Fife County team.  Vascular illness resulted in a double below knee amputation and a radical rethink of his future as a performance bowler.  Following a year in hospital and with massive support from family and Strathmiglo Bowling Club friends and committee, Michael launched a career in Para bowls after leaving hospital in March 2008.  The occasion was the 2008 Disability Sport Fife Championships at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy in June and he has never looked back since.

Michael’s progress as an international para bowler has been impressive.  The year following his first involvement in the DSF Championships, Michael returned to win the Fife title. In the same year he won his first SDS Scottish lawn bowls title at Westburn Park in Aberdeen.  Michael then played a significant role in the Scottish victory over England’s leading physically and visually impaired bowlers at the Beveridge Park in 2009. In 2010 he travelled with the same strong Scottish team to Nottingham for a rare indoor bowls victory over England.

It was a natural progression that Michael would be selected for Scotland’s team to travel to South Africa for the IBD World Championships in 2011 to try to better the third place team finish at the Championships in Australia in 2007.  After a comfortable start in singles, the heat and humidity of South Africa took its toll on Michael, but in true Simpson fashion he rallied for the pairs and won a bronze medal with Kevin Wallace in the toughest classification section of the tournament.

Michael then focussed on trying to gain selection for Team Scotland for the Para-Bowls triples at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.  In the summer of 2013 at Kelvingrove, Michael enhanced his chances of selection by being a member of the Scottish physically disabled triple that won gold at the 4 Nations and then repeated the performance a few months later at the 8 Nations.  That outstanding physically disabled triple included Kevin Wallace and Billy Allan.  They played 13 matches, won 10, drew 2 and lost only 1 in two major events against the world’s leading para bowls nations. It may be argued however that Michael’s finest international achievement was winning a silver medal in mixed pairs with Rosemary Lenton at the IBD World Championships in New Zealand in 2015.

Michael received support from the organisers of the Reelers Ball in North East Fife and also St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary at key stages in his international career. In addition he is appreciative of the role played by Disability Sport Fife, Scottish Disability Sport, Bowls Scotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport in his development as a para bowler. This is a young man who has always had ambitions of winning a Commonwealth Games medal and regularly challenging for a place in Team Scotland for the IBD World Championships.

As well as successes in para bowls, Michael is proud of the role he has played as a member of the Strathmiglo Bowling Club team that won the Fife Top 10 in 2010 and went on to finish runners up in the Scottish Top 10 in 2011.  In 2005 he was proud of his runners up spot in the club championships and a very important milestone in his career was repeating that performance in 2012, four years after losing his legs.  Michael went one stage further in 2014 when he won the club championships at his beloved Strathmiglo BC. The club recognised Michael with the highest honour available by awarding him life membership in 2018.

Michael Simpson is a double Commonwealth Games representative and an inspiration to mainstream and para bowlers throughout Scotland and beyond. Michael is  an exceptional role model to performance athletes across all sports. Michael will retain an active interest in SDS and DSF bowls progress and may even consider coaching. DSF has already offered to support his coaching journey. Michael has made the correct decision and we all wish the Simpson family well.

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

East Para Sport Festival

Friday 29th March – Forrester / St Augustine’s High School, Edinburgh

The eighth annual Para Sport Festival took place at Forrester / St Augustine’s Community Sports Hub, Edinburgh on Friday 29th March, welcoming 87 school aged pupils with a physical, visual or hearing impairment from across the East of Scotland to register for the event.  The festival aims to provide a platform for young people from the mainstream education environment an opportunity to access sports delivered by experienced coaches while also raising awareness in Para Sport.  This year’s event invited young people to a session that involved sports that were appropriate to their impairment, welcoming children with a visual / hearing impairment in the morning and individuals with a physical impairment in the afternoon.

The number of young people attending the event has grown year on year since its inception in 2012 and demonstrates a strong picture of partnership working between Scottish Disability Sport and Edinburgh Active Schools with significant input from key organisations Lothian Disability Sport and Edinburgh Leisure.  Active Schools Coordinators from Edinburgh provide a pivotal presence on the day, facilitating the event and leading the groups of young people throughout while making them feel welcome and supported for the day.  There was also significant support from Edinburgh College students at this year’s event, another partnership that has been formed over time to develop the event and provide essential experience for individuals in relation to working with people with a disability.

Jill Coleman, who has the responsibility for Disability and Inclusion within the Edinburgh Active Schools team while also taking a lead role on the festival commented, ‘The festival is one of the highlights in the Edinburgh Active Schools school sports calendar, not only is it a fantastic sporting event for the young people in our schools but it also creates an opportunity for dialogue with young people and their parents regarding further potential sports development in schools and the wider community.’

The day is also supported by some Scottish Governing Bodies and delivered by local inclusive clubs from the region, providing a direct link for any young people who are keen to make that transition into more regular sporting opportunities.  The sports delivered on the day were Badminton, Boccia, Cycling (tandem) Goalball, Hugby (rugby for visually impaired people), Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball and Wheelchair Basketball.  Additionally, parents are encouraged to attend and stay for the duration of the event and providing an insight to disability sport and the opportunities that are available to their sons / daughters in local and surrounding areas.  Some of the feedback from parents included ‘We love this event – my daughter slowly comes out of her shell and it’s great to see her participating in sport alongside her peers’ and ‘An amazing event, can’t wait until next year’.

The event was also supplemented by an Athlete ‘Question & Answer’ session, welcoming current sporting stars along to provide an insight to their journey so far as an athlete.  Scottish Borders swimmer Beth Johnston (Galashiels) and Edinburgh based Josh Manson (Wheelchair Basketball) were kind enough to share their respective journey’s and answer a host of questions for the young participants in the Q&A session.

Neal Herbert, Scottish Disability Sport Regional Manager (East) highlighted,

‘The numbers attending on the day continue to highlight the popularity and the need for the event in the region.  Around half of the young people were new to the event and this is down to the hard work that partners do before the day in terms of identifying eligible participants from their local area.  Active Schools are key to this and continue to work well in collaboration with Scottish Disability Sport to make the festival a success and aim to encourage all participants into regular sporting opportunities post event.

Additionally, the collaborative working between many governing bodies of sport and local inclusive clubs provide an ideal opportunity for many young people to try particular sports for the first time and therefore hopefully encouraging them into more regular opportunities.’

For further information, please get in touch with Neal Herbert, Scottish Disability Sport Regional Manager (East) on 0131 625 4414 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.co.uk or

Jill Coleman, Active Schools Coordinator (Equalities and Inclusion) on 0792 076 8288 or jill.coleman@ea.edin.sch.uk.