Month: May 2022
Inclusive cycling returns to Edinburgh thanks to charities and council collaboration
Two charities are working with City of Edinburgh Council to bring inclusive cycling back to the city. Now everyone is invited to get on two, three or even four wheels to cycle for health, fitness and fun.
Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, has loaned its large collection of adaptive cycles to Thistle Foundation, a charity that supports people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Thistle is now running inclusive cycling sessions in two locations in Edinburgh (Saughton Park and Thistle’s Centre of Wellbeing at Craigmillar) with funding support from City of Edinburgh Council.
The sessions build on the success of Cycling UK’s Edinburgh All-ability Bike Centre (ABC), which was operational for six years until external funding came to an end in May 2021. Since efforts to secure sustainable and continued funding failed, Cycling UK has brought Thistle and the council together to allow the sessions to run again.
It’s hoped that the sessions will allow former participants of the ABC, along with new people, to enjoy all that cycling has to offer, gaining friends and fitness along the way, or just enjoying the experience of pedalling in a pleasant traffic-free location.
Suzanne Forup, head of development Scotland at Cycling UK, said:
“We’re delighted to see the cycles back in operation and we really hope that many of the previous participants, along with some new faces, will be able to come along and benefit.
“We know that cycling has many health benefits in particular and we’re so pleased to be working with Thistle and City of Edinburgh Council to make cycling accessible to people who might have thought that cycling wasn’t for them or not possible.”
For participant Bill, the new sessions have helped in many ways after a leg fracture. He said:
“Cycling has been brilliant … not only has it helped me reach goals I’ve set myself physically, but it’s great seeing both carers and clients laughing, and joking, as they pedal together.
“I used to cycle when I was younger, and it brings back those good memories every time I’m pedalling away. I enjoy the feeling of excitement it gives me … it lifts my spirits and has given me a lot of confidence in myself. I have met a lot of good friends through it, and I hope to keep pedalling and meeting more on my journeys.”
Ross Grieve, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Thistle Foundation, said:
“Our new initiative, Thistle Outdoors: A Green Recovery From COVID, is a programme that will provide community based outdoor movement support to address the negative impacts of multiple Covid-19 lockdowns, including loneliness and isolation.
“This inclusive cycling work is an important, and integral, part of the programme, and we are very excited to be working with Cycling UK and City of Edinburgh Council.”
Daisy Narayanan, Head of Placemaking and Mobility at City of Edinburgh, said:
“We’re really pleased to be able to support these sessions, which make cycling possible for many people who might have thought that they previously were not able to cycle.
“Cycling offers a whole range of benefits to health and wellbeing, as well as positively impacting the environment. Inclusive cycling sessions will help make sure even more of us can share in this.”
Sessions take place on Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning at Saughton Park and on Tuesday afternoons at Craigmillar. Anyone interested can drop in but if you’d like more information please call 0131 661 3366 or email thistleoutdoors@thistle.org.uk.
Understanding Disability and Sport in Scotland Survey
The Observatory for Sport in Scotland and the Peter Harrison Foundation are conducting a survey as part of a larger research study, Understanding Disability and Sport in Scotland.
The objective of this survey is to develop a better understanding of the organisations that are involved in supporting people with a disability to take part in physical activity and sport. The information will enable the development and publication of a stakeholder map which will be available to assist researchers, other stakeholders, policy makers and individuals with a disability to find out information about all organisations that help and support the development of physical activity and sporting opportunities for those with a disability.
A key part of the research is the stakeholder survey. As many completions of this survey as possible will be extremely helpful to all involved in disability sport as currently there is no overarching database of all stakeholders.
The survey can be completed here: https://uws.questionpro.com/t/AUq0WZqwHj
Three Boccia players selected for Czech Open
The Czech Open returns to the international calendar and Scottish Boccia has selected three players to attend the event which will take place in Prague from the 3 – 5 June 2022.
Fiona Muirhead (BC4), Tyler McLelland (BC4) and Kayleigh Haggo (BC2) will make their international debuts in the sport and will play within both the individual and pairs format of the competition. The group will be joined by Boccia UK BC4 player, Louis Saunders, who will team up with Fiona Muirhead in the pair’s competition.
The Czech Open provides the perfect opportunity for Scottish players to compete on the International stage, supporting their preparation as an elite level athlete ahead of potential future selection for Boccia UK programmes.
SDS Regional Development Manager (RDM) Andrew Mackenzie will take on the role as Team Manager, supported by Boccia UK Performance Coach, Claire Morrison.
SDS is delighted to see our players competing in international competition again following a difficult couple of years for the sport, and we wish them all every success.
| Player | Coach |
| Fiona Muirhead | Michaela Řiháčková |
| Tyler McLelland | Jen Barsby |
| Kayleigh Haggo | Peter McGuire |
SDS are 100% ready to get behind UKAD’s Clean Sport Week
With a big summer of sport ahead, SDS is proud to reaffirm our commitment to clean sport by backing UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD’s) Clean Sport Week campaign.
Clean Sport Week is UKAD’s national awareness week, which runs from 23 – 27 May and champions clean sport, education and anti-doping initiatives with sports across the UK.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “what you see is 100% me” as we all want to see 100% hard work, determination and respect for the rules from athletes competing on the world stage. So, alongside UKAD, we are making it our mission to ensure all our athletes can say with confidence “what you see is 100% me” when competing this summer.
In the build up to Clean Sport Week, we have been working with UKAD to complete the Assurance Framework, which National Governing Bodies must do to show they are meeting their anti-doping responsibilities. In addition, we are ensuring all our athletes are prepared for their upcoming competitions by taking part in UKAD’s 100% me education programme and by inviting them to attend the Clean Sport Week webinar on Tuesday 24 May, which is open to all and will look at important anti-doping topics and advice for preparing for a Major Games.
We also encourage anyone in our sporting community that would like to learn more about anti-doping to sign up to UKAD’s free new Introduction to Clean Sport course via its website, here.
To find out how athletes can excel on the world stage sign up to UKAD’s Clean Sport Week webinar here, and follow @ukantidoping on social media to see a range of educational and exciting content throughout the week.
To find out more about UKAD’s Clean Sport Week initiative click here.
sportscotland Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Salary: £45,502 per annum
Permanent, full-time
Based in Glasgow (temporarily home based)
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Our vision is an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. Are you passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion? Do you have the skills and drive to facilitate real strategic change? If so, this might be the next role for you!
We are currently looking for an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager to join our Strategic Planning team who will champion EDI in sportscotland and across the sport sector.
We have set the ambition that inclusion underpins everything we do. We have a new approach to guide us in delivering this. We need an enthusiastic, skilled equality, diversity and inclusion expert to help us achieve this goal.
As the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, you will work with internal staff and a range of partners including equality groups, national agencies, governing bodies of sport, local authorities and leisure trusts.
With skills and experience in facilitating strategic change, you will need strong communication and influencing skills and be able to engage people with very different levels of expertise in this area.
In return for the above, we offer employee benefits such as flexible working, generous holidays, Cycle2Work, fantastic discounts, a great pension scheme (19.3% employer contribution), support with your personal development and much more.
Please apply online and attach your CV and covering letter detailing why you meet the requirements.
We are a Disability Confident employer. If you have any difficulties with your application because of a disability please contact hr.recruitment@sportscotland.org.uk and we will discuss how we can help you.
Closing date for completed applications: 31 May 2022
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager Job Description
sportscotland – sport for life
Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) have launched a new initiative to use the power of sport to help people manage their mental health.
The initiative will harness the huge benefits of physical activity and sport with clubs, organisations and activity providers encouraging people to connect with their local community to raise self-esteem and reduce isolation.
The launch event was held at the Oriam in Edinburgh, with the Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd in attendance.
Abby Cook, Forth Valley Disability Sport GOGA Officer and Young Start graduate represented SDS at the launch to share her story about how sport changed her life. She is now encouraging others who experience poor mental health to discover sport as she says it not only builds physical strength but helps your mental health to grow stronger. Abby struggled with anxiety and an eating disorder in her early teens after a condition she had since birth Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which causes your joints to easily dislocate causing a lot of pain, worsened and left her unable to walk and needing to use a wheelchair.
She said: “I was a competitive swimmer up until the age of 13 and loved cross country running. Physical exercise was my life but it was taken away from me overnight when my condition became so bad that I ended up being housebound for six months and unable to attend school. I became very anxious, depressed and ashamed of my disability.
“I came across Forth Valley Disability Sport when I was at breaking point and looking for a way to meet like-minded people in my local area. Sport wasn’t the main motivator for joining, I found the social aspect helped save my life. It’s the chats with someone before and after you take part in a sport that really helped me, I found myself meeting new people and really looking forward to going back each week.”
More information on the SAMH website
Para Snowboard Talent ID: Finding the stars of the future
Snowsport England and Snowsport Scotland are starting a talent search for the para snowboarding stars of the future, in particular women between the ages of 16-25 with an upper limb difference.
It Could Be You!
Snowboarding is a great sport that is active, social, creative and you can do it in some of the most beautiful places in the world. If you do any sports that require balance and a strong core then you’ll be well suited to snowboarding. The obvious sports with similarities to snowboarding are skateboarding, surfing and wakeboarding, but people from backgrounds such as horse riding, cycling and gymnastics have also become amazing snowboarders.
If you like the idea of snowboarding then sign up and you could be picked for one of the week long Fast Track sessions this summer (2022). The group lessons will involve instruction from a qualified instructor over 4/5 days at one of the indoor snow centres across the UK. No prior snowboard experience required!
Tell Me More About Para Snowboarding
Learning to snowboard could be just the start. If you’ve got a head for speed and a competitive streak, then competitive Para Snowboarding takes the format of racing, both against the clock and head to head. The courses can include banked corners, undulating terrain and jumps. Similar to BMX and mountain bike trails. Training for this sport is varied and never gets boring, along with time on snow you will use acrobatics facilities, practice other board sports and use gyms.
There are three levels of competition for para snowboard internationally. Starting at Continental Cup before graduating to World Cup and then the biggest stage of all: The Paralympics. At the moment there are women in the Upper Limb category at Continental and World Cup levels but, there aren’t enough to feature at the Paralympics which is why you are needed to help make history!
Sign Me Up!
To sign up your interest in the programme please fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/hrdc7GBVQpiMHiTw6
Or for more information contact: alastair@snowsportscotland.org
Spotlight on Swimming: Everyone Can Swim
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) enjoy a close relationship with Scottish Swimming and continue to work collaboratively to support and develop opportunities for participants with disabilities to get swimming across the country.
Participation opportunities are available to all individuals who would like to swim. The inclusive nature of swimming enables people of all abilities, regardless of experience or background to come together, become connected and get involved.
This week we will be putting a Spotlight on Swimming, our partnership with Scottish Swimming and the inclusive opportunities that are available for people with disabilities. We truly believe that Everyone Can Swim.
Getting Involved in Swimming
Parasport Festivals: Swimming is a mainstay of the SDS Parasport Festivals with many children and young people given a taste of swimming for the first time under the watchful eye of Scottish Swimming staff who are quick to identify and support anyone who is keen to take the sport further. Parasport Festivals have been a key method of engaging school aged young people at grassroots level and supporting them into club activity.
Keep an eye on our Social Media channels for information on upcoming Parasport Festivals.
Learn to Swim & See My Ability – Everyone Can Swim!
Learn to Swim is an inclusive programme that was launched to provide opportunities for young people to become confident, safe and happy swimmers, and to raise standards and achieve consistency in swimming programmes across Scotland.
See My Ability is an inclusive programme that encourages children with a disability to learn to swim. Swimming provides the opportunity to learn a life skill whilst interacting and having fun in a group environment. This should be no different for a child with a disability and where possible your child will be included in a class with their peers.
Make sure you watch this inspiring video:
More information can be found on the Learn to Swim website.
Find a Swimming Club
There are many inclusive opportunities to swim across the country and you can use the Scottish Swimming Club Finder to find an opportunity near you here:
SDS can also support and advise you if you would like to get involved in swimming, where we can work in partnership with Scottish Swimming to find an appropriate and inclusive opportunity for you.
Contact: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call 0131 317 1130 and we’ll be happy to help.
Leading Performers
Everyone can swim, and these leading performers all started off somewhere – could this be you?
Toni Shaw
Paralympian Toni Shaw came through the Learn to Swim programme at the age of 8, where she soon developed a talent for swimming where she joined Cults Otters before progressing through the pathway to the University of Aberdeen Performance Swim Club. Her classification is S9 and her favoured events being the 400m Free, 100m Free & 100m Fly.
By the age of 14 Toni held 14 Scottish national swimming records where she was then selected to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and in 2019 she was to set a new World Record time in the S9 200m butterfly at the Para-swimming World Series in Berlin in 2019 when she was just 15 years old. Following this she won 6 medals at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, taking gold in both the 4x100m medley relay. and 4x100m freestyle relay
Toni was then selected to represent Team GB at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where she medalled in her first games taking bronze in the 400m freestyle event, setting a new PB and Scottish record in the process.
Stephen Clegg
Stephen comes from a family of Paralympic athletes, with both older sister Libby and brother James winning medals for ParalympicsGB at London 2012 in athletics and swimming.
Stephen started swimming in 2014 and quickly took to the sport, breaking through to make his major debut at the 2016 IPC Swimming European Championships in Funchal, Portugal, where he made three finals and set a new personal best in the 400m freestyle S13.
He made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 where he recorded his best result in the final of the 100m backstroke S12, finishing in 5th place.
At the 2018 European Para Swimming Championships in Dublin, Ireland, Stephen won three bronze medals and set two new British records.
In 2019 Stephen claimed his maiden global title with a silver medal in the S12 100m butterfly final.
Stephen represented Team GB at the Paralympic Games for the second time in Tokyo, where he got on the podium 3 times with 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Scott Quin
Since making his international debut at the 2011 IPC Swimming European Championships in Berlin, Scott has continued to demonstrate his potential by producing consistent results in his favourite event, the 100m breaststroke SB14.
He won silver medals in that event at the 2014 European and 2015 World Championships, before repeating that success in Rio in 2016 where he took the silver medal in his first Paralympic Games.
Following his first Games, Scott once again claimed silver in his favoured event at a home World Championships in London in 2019.
At the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he added to his Paralympic medal tally with a bronze medal, once again in the 100m breaststroke.
Coaching, Education and Training Opportunities
Scottish Swimming offer plenty of Coaching, Education and Learning opportunities for those who would like to inspire the next generation of swimmers in Scotland.
You can find details of all courses and qualifications and how to become a coach here.
Look out for more Spotlight on Swimming content this week on our website and social media channels!
SDS welcomes Josh Thomson, Boccia Development Officer
SDS is delighted to welcome Josh Thomson as the new Boccia Development Officer. The role is nationwide with an office base at Caledonia House in Edinburgh.
Josh said, “I am excited to be taking on this role and I can’t wait to get out and start meeting all members of our Boccia community. I believe Boccia has excellent potential to grow and boost its profile nationally. My aim will be to get more people participating in Boccia as well as improving our infrastructure and pathways.
“I have had a lifelong interest in sport and tried to participate in as many as possible as a child growing up. My main passion was tennis which led to me becoming a tennis coach where I worked for a wide variety of clubs and organisations. This gave me experience developing sports at a grassroots level as well as helping to develop player pathways. One organisation I worked for was Live Borders, who gave me invaluable experience across the board and my first opportunities in disability sport delivering tennis sessions regularly, assisting with parasport festivals and helping out with Boccia in the Borders. My time with Live Borders was my motivation behind wanting to make sports development my career and this helped massively during my studies at University of Stirling as I graduated with a first-class degree in Sports Studies.
“Although I have only briefly worked in Boccia, this is a role I am very passionate about, and I look forward to building on my Boccia knowledge and understanding more about our boccia community in Scotland. I will be aiming to get out and meet as many of you as possible.”
Josh can be contacted on joshua.thomson@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07555 146 228.
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