Month: November 2024

Award graphic from SWIS Awards showing Claire Morrison smiling at Stephen McGuire

Awards Success for Para Sport Heroes

Awards season is upon us, and a number of fantastic coaches and volunteers have been recognised for their significant efforts in disability sport.

At this year’s Eric Liddell Awards, Ron McArthur very deservedly collected the Outstanding Services to Sport Award for his lifelong dedication to developing para bowls.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, at the Scottish Women in Sport Awards, our very own Boccia guru, Claire Morrison, was awarded Coach of the Year for her efforts in coaching Stephen McGuire to BC4 gold medal glory at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. Unfortunately, Steph couldn’t be there to congratulate Claire in person as he was busy picking up his very own Eric Liddell Award on the same evening!

The sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards saw a trio of para sport coach successes across the evening.

The Janice Eaglesham Award Disability Sports Coach of the Year Award (an award dedicated to our late Chair) was scooped up by Neil Russell of the Adaptive Riders’ Collective. Neil earned this award for his work in improving and promoting accessibility and inclusivity in cycling.

SDS Young Person’s Sports Panel and Forth Valley Disability Sport member, Charlotte Askham, took home the Young Volunteer of the Year award after clocking up more than 800 hours over the course of a year whilst volunteering at a range of Branch and SDS sessions and events.

Later in the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award came home with Dundee pair, Jen Quinton and Eileen Ramsay for their coaching efforts over the last 31 years after founding Discovery Swimming Club (a specialist swimming club for swimmers with disabilities) in 1993.

December’s awards evenings did not disappoint either.

At the Scottish Sports Awards on 4th December, Claire Morrison received a well-deserved standing ovation when she took home Coach of the Year. Also in December, Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball coach, Mark Stevenson, was awarded Talent Development Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards for his dedication to nurturing athletes through the pathway at Scottish and UK level.

Well done to all of the award winners to date.

Judo Scotland are hiring! Business Support Modern Apprentice graphic. With an image of JudoScotland interviewing a Judoka post-competition. JudoScotland logo, Enable logo and Living Wage Scotland logo

Opportunity: Modern Apprentice with Judo Scotland

Judo Scotland has an exciting opportunity for a Modern Apprentice to join their team! This is part of their Supporting Disabled People into Employment in Sport programme, supported by Enable Scotland (Leading the Way).

Application pack is available here.

If you want to discuss this further, please contact Freda McInulty, Judo Scotland Business Support Manager, at FredaMcinulty@judoscotland.com.

 

 

Wheelchair Curling Events Part of 2026 Recruitment Campaign

By British Curling

British Curling is staging its latest events in ‘Its Time To Deliver – Push Yourself,’ Paralympic Recruitment Campaign to boost numbers on the Pathway programme. Two introductory events will be staged both north and south of the border, with these preliminary ‘wheelchair specific Try Curling events’ aimed at setting a standard. 

Event details:

Thursday 7 November
National Curling Academy, Stirling FK8 1QZ
From 10.30am – 3.30pm

Thursday 28 November
Cambridge Ice Arena, Cambridge CB5 8AA
From 10am – 3pm

The campaign fits into a long term Paralympic Pathway strategy enabling newcomers to the game the opportunity to progress as far as their potential and ambition may take them, with the target of producing greater strength in depth in the Paralympic squad in the build up to Milan Cortina (2026 Winter Paraylmpic Games) and beyond.

“These recruitment events are the perfect building block for any individual aged 16+ who is keen to try wheelchair curling in a relaxed, supportive and inclusive environment,” said Lappin. 

“No experience is required, only a drive to be committed, passionate and to develop their talent within the sport of wheelchair curling. Follow up will include signposting opportunities onto Wheelchair Curling Clubs across the UK and for those who show talent, an opportunity to progress onto the next stage of the British Curling Paralympic Performance Pathway. I would urge anyone who is interested to get in touch.

“Feedback from a number of Paralympic Talent ID days hosted recently at the National Curling Academy in Stirling has been extremely positive, with both Talent Transfer athletes and newcomers to the game having enjoyed the welcoming and accessible team environment we champion here at British Curling. We are keen, through this campaign, to provide more opportunities for individuals with performance mindsets to experience what we can offer.”

Push Yourself – Be inspired.

To register your interest in the British Curling Paralympic Recruitment Campaign and to sign up for our events please scan the QR code below and complete your details or follow the link here.

For more information on our Paralympic Programme and opportunities please email: Cheryl.lappin@britishcurling.org.uk

A British Curling Launch Campaign poster for Milano Cortina 2026 including a QR code