Sport England and UK Coaching chief execs praise the nation’s coaches for keeping communities active during coronavirus lockdown

• Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth and UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon joined together for a podcast to give their thoughts on the situation from a coaching perspective
• Innovative coaching practice has kept the nation active during unprecedented social restrictions

The coaching community has been identified as playing an important role in keeping communities active, as the nation adjusts to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer at Sport England has praised the innovative approach to online coaching many coaches have taken during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, and believes that they have a vital role to play in driving community activity as restrictions are lifted.

Hollingsworth, said: “Coaches are key workers for the sports and physical activity industry. My job takes me around the country to see projects and I am always slightly in awe of the work coaches do. The quality of what I see in front of me leaves me taken-aback because it’s a very different skill set from that which I possess. That ability to make the session real and meaningful – and also to provide improvement in a technical sense – will be absolutely critical for us moving forwards.

“There is a vital need for us to think more in our strategy about the role of people in supporting our desire to make sport and physical activity have a purpose for society, and have a purpose for everyone in their individual lives.”

Hollingsworth was speaking in conversation with his UK Coaching counterpart, Mark Gannon, in a new podcast which has been released today (21 May) on ukcoaching.org.

The wide-ranging conversation, which has been released during Mental Health Awareness Week, examined the need for inspirational people in communities to drive increased activity; how the pandemic has brought into focus the way in which people can be supported; and the challenges that people may face as society moves forward.

Mark Gannon, Chief Executive Officer at UK Coaching, said: “Coaching is about people and great coaching is people-focused. One of the things we are very aware of is what will have happened to people during this period of restriction owing to coronavirus. There will be health and well-being issues and, as a result, we have worked with Sport England and Mind to make available mental health and well-being training for all of the coaching workforce – free of charge. This will upskill the coaching community to better deal with and recognise the signs of someone who has, perhaps, struggled through this period and may be struggling to reengage.”

Scottish Disability Sport invites you to take part in our weekly challenges, to have fun and get active with your family using our activity cards which are posted on the website. The purpose is to challenge individuals, family and friends to give it a go over an 8–week period using a different card each week. 

Click here to see the Inclusive Activity Cards we will be using.  

The key aim is to develop and improve skills through using a different card each week.  How many weeks can you be involved and who will have the most points at the end?  

A maximum of 10 points can be gained each week for submitting your videos. Extra bonus points will be awarded for creativity, for example dress up costumes (Disney character, superhero, sports star), equipment or a themed activity.  The owner of the most creative video each week will receive a £10 Amazon voucher.

Challenges will go out each Monday afternoon and you have until Sunday at 6pm to send us your video to show us your skills and how you had fun completing the challenge.  

You can adapt the activity in any way you want using any available equipment. The more creative you are, and the more fun you have, the better. Everyone who sends in a video will appear in the weekly roundup celebrating your amazing efforts. We are excited to see your videos with your great ideas.   

To be part of the #GiveItaGO challenge please register here. Registered participants will receive a certificate at the end of the challenge.  If you would like any further information please contact us on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Timetable  

SDS has taken advice and guidance from Scottish Government, Active Scotland, sportscotland and partner Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport in relation to a potential return to sport in Scotland. SDS also took into consideration the unique position of many disabled participants and athletes. At the forefront of our thoughts at all times was the safety and best interests of these athletes and players moving forwards.

Our aim was to provide SDS Branches and sports clubs with clarity and direction in relation to their planning whilst also ensuring the overall safety of participants and athletes. The following statements have been prepared for both National Events and the planned return to sport:

National Events

SDS has taken the decision that all national events including engagement days, para-sport festivals and national championships are to be cancelled for the remainder of 2020. All education and training sessions will take place online where possible with a further review for confirmed November dates in September. Any proposed conferences for the remainder of the year, including the AGM and Branch Conference may take place virtually with a decision made at the SDS Board Meeting in June. In September, a full review of the feasibility of events scheduled in early 2021 will take place. As this is an extremely fluid situation with an ever-changing landscape a return to activity will be continually reviewed on a case by case basis in light of the different demands on the various activities. As a multi-sport organisation advice from sportscotland, the sport-specific governing bodies, Active Scotland and the Scottish Government will continue to be considered. This decision is to provide clarity for branches and clubs to allow them to communicate effectively with their members.

Return to sport

The return of regional and national squad training will be considered on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the sport, the environment and the underlying health conditions of the athletes. Guidance and advice from sportscotland the sport-specific governing bodies, Active Scotland and the Scottish Government will also be considered. SDS will provide ongoing support and guidance on the return to sport in Scotland. It is a rapidly changing environment and SDS will endeavour to keep you up to date throughout.

If you have any queries please feel free to get in touch on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Glasgow University Women’s Hockey Club (GUWHC) have recently completed the mammoth undertaking of climbing five of the world’s tallest buildings to raise funds for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). The sponsorship event involved a team of 36 students take on the challenge over five days using the step machines in the university gym.

The students climbed the equivalent of 592 floors (that’s 10,064 steps) as follows:

• Day 1: The Shard (96 floors)
• Day 2: Empire State Building (102 floors)
• Day 3: One World Trade Centre (104 floors)
• Day 4: Shanghai Tower (127 floors)
• Day 5: Burj Khalifa (163 floors – the tallest building in the world!)

At the end of the challenge, GUWHC had raised a whopping £2,837.21 to support the work of SDS.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of GUWHC for this fantastic fundraising effort and for raising much needed funds to support disability sport in Scotland.

A promising young tennis player from Baillieston, Glasgow, has been selected for the LTA’s top support programme for junior wheelchair players.

Robertson, 15, is one of 12 high potential players chosen for the LTA Wheelchair National Age Group Programme (NAGP), which provides a variety of coaching, competition and educational support.

The programme is designed to educate and develop players as they transition through the LTA’s World Class Wheelchair Tennis Performance Pathway, allowing them to be best prepared to become elite international athletes.

As part of the NAGP, Robertson will have access to training and tournament guidance from LTA coaches, training camps, home training visits from LTA coaches and support to maintain a sport/life balance.

Robertson began playing wheelchair tennis at Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow when she was 11 and in normal circumstances she would still attend weekly wheelchair tennis sessions at Scoutstoun. However, webinars organised by the LTA have been an important part of her routine during lockdown

She is a three-time Scottish junior champion and in 2018 won the junior doubles title at the LTA’s British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships with fellow Scot Ruari Logan.

Players who continue to show high potential at the end of their NAGP support will advance to the next stage of the pathway, the World Class Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme, which currently supports multiple Grand Slam champions Gordon Reid, Alfie Hewett, Jordanne Whiley and Andy Lapthorne.

Rob Cross, LTA Wheelchair Performance Head Coach, said: “I would like to congratulate Ellie on her selection for the NAGP this year. She has shown great potential and now has access to a fantastic package of support which will hopefully allow her to develop even further, both as a player and a person. While we have a track record of producing high performing wheelchair tennis players in this country, the standards of the sport across the world continue to advance and this programme is designed to help us stay ahead of the pack and maximise the potential of our best players. The LTA World Class Wheelchair Tennis Performance Pathway provides a seamless route for our highest potential players to progress from junior competition to playing major tournaments. I wish Ellie and the other players selected for the NAGP every success as they continue their journey this year.”

Robertson said: “I am delighted about being picked for the NAGP, I am aware of the work and commitment that being part of this group will ​involve and will give 100 per cent dedication to it. I am really excited to be part of the group and look forward to the opportunities it will bring.”

For more information about the LTA Player Pathway and ten-year Performance Strategy, visit www.lta.org.uk.

2019 Sports Performer Awards:

For a limited time, South Lanarkshire Disability Sport are once again welcoming nominations for the 2019 Sports Performer of the Year Awards.

This is a great opportunity to recognise the sporting achievements of 2019 and if you missed out first time round you can submit a nomination by clicking the link below.

All applications already received will be considered and there is no need to reapply.

Good luck to all nominees.

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

*Closing date for online entry will be Monday the 18^th May 2020 and winners will be announced on Monday the 25^th May 2020.