The Stirling Court Hotel welcomed a celebration of sport as it hosted the Scottish Disability Sport Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday 6th October.
The day provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the development of disability sport and inclusive practice being implemented across Scotland throughout 2023/2024.
The annual Branch Conference proceeded the AGM, with presentations and workshops covering a range of topics including: how to implement an accessible and effective communications strategy, Children’s 1st wellbeing and protection, athlete support. Paralympian, Hope Gordon, also attended to share her story about winning a Paralympic silver medal at the recent Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The AGM itself, recapped on the success and areas of growth achieved throughout 2023/2024. A full review of the year, highlighting those key areas can be watched here:
Guest speaker, Martin Perry, delivered an engaging presentation which showed his journey from first trying table tennis at a SDS Summer Camp, to going on to represent ParalympicsGB at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in both Para table tennis singles and doubles.
Following this, to commemorate the 100 years since Eric Liddell won the gold medal in the 400m event at the Paris 1924 Summer Olympic Games, SDS is working with partner, Eric Liddell 100 Legacy Project, to recognise and celebrate the life of Eric Liddell.
100 Eric Liddell Pin Badges are being awarded across Scotland and during the AGM, SDS awarded one to each person from each member branch who demonstrates Eric Liddell’s values while developing disability sport in Scotland. The values being: passion (enthusiasm, dedication, optimism, self-belief), compassion (humility, selflessness, respect, care, community-minded) and integrity (discretion, loyalty, self-sacrifice, principled).
Pin Badges were awarded to:
- Graeme Reid (Lothian Disability Sport)
- Ron McArthur (Forth Valley Disability Sport)
- Bryan Stevens (Highland Disability Sport)
- Darren Thomson (Dundee City Disability Sport)
- Eddie McLoone (Disability Sport Glasgow)
- Christine Webster (Angus)
- Kayleigh Haggo (Ayrshire Sportsability)
- Fiona Smith (Grampian Disability Sport)
- Ryan Evans (Borders Disability Sport)
- Ben Sandilands (Disability Sport Fife)
- Avril Starmore (Ability Shetland)
- John Goldsworthy (Dumfries & Galloway)
- Len Richardson (South Lanarkshire Disability Sport)
- Stewart Lobban (Perth and Kinross)
As usual, the SDS annual awards ceremony rounded off the AGM – an opportunity to recognise key members of the community:
- Russell Hogg Bursary – Alex Medley and Elliot Cooper
- Community Champion Award – Jennifer Quinton and Eileen Ramsay
- Special Recognition Award – Scottish CP Football SquadDedication to Para Football
- Award – Ann Brown
- John De Courcy Trophy – Gregor Anderson
- Glasgow Trophy – Ron McArthur
- Elspeth Watson Trophy – Isabel Reid
- Russell Hogg Trophy – Mark Stevenson
- Fife Trophy – Claire Morrison
- Janice Eaglesham Trophy – Perth Strathtay Harriers
- Findlay Calder Trophy – Samantha Kinghorn MBE
- Brian Dolan Trophy – Stephen Clegg
- Angus Trophy – Stephen McGuire
- Gordon Brown Memorial Trophy – Stephen McGuire
Make to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website.