Month: December 2025

17/12/2025

Some of 2025’s Best Moments in Sport Across Scotland

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.

What a year it has been for disability sport in Scotland. With Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) contingent of committed Regional Development Managers (RDMs) working hard to facilitate inclusive sporting opportunities, develop partnerships and support clubs across the country.

Here are some of the regional team’s favourite moments from 2026.

Lanarkshire

In Lanarkshire, hosting its first ever Parasport Festival was the biggest highlight. The festival, which took place in March, was a massive success with 43 participants registering. The day saw participants with a physical disability, vision impairment or hearing loss take part in sports including athletics, judo, table tennis and boccia. Following the success of the region’s first festival, everyone is already getting excited about next year. Ravenscraig will host the region’s second Parasport Festival in March 2026.

West of Scotland

The year of incredible performances began with SDS’s Young Persons’ Sport Panel member, Aidan Moody (of Glasgow Disability Tennis), reaching the semi-finals in the Australian Open in the II1 Category (a category for players with a learning disability).

Red Star Athletics Club’s Melanie Woods also had a year to remember. The Glaswegian won two bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships in India – her first ever international medals.

The West’s Layla McCloskey also had a memorable year. Layla was selected as a wildcard to compete at her debut UK Boccia Championships, which was held in Northern Ireland. The BC2 boccia player impressed as she went toe to toe with some of the UK’s finest athletes. These achievements are wonderful examples that highlight the importance that both local clubs and strong disability sport pathways can play in athlete development.

Grampian

In Grampian it has been great to see ongoing projects come to fruition throughout 2025, with the Rural Aberdeenshire Boccia Inclusion Project getting underway. The project was established to expand accessible sporting opportunities across isolated communities by introducing boccia into local bowls clubs. With funding of £5,000 from Sport for Change provided by Live Life Aberdeenshire, the project empowered rural bowls clubs to provide inclusive, disability-friendly activities that promote participation, social connection and community wellbeing through boccia.

All participating clubs received the Boccia Leaders Award, giving volunteers and club members the confidence and competence to deliver high-quality person-centred sessions.

At the start of the project, a Boccia Taster Day was held, bringing all ten clubs together. Participants were introduced to boccia through fun drills, mini-games and guided practice. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with clubs being so taken by it that many immediately began planning regular sessions. The sessions have already had an extremely positive impact, becoming valuable social and physical activity opportunities, particularly for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Fife

Throughout Fife, it has been an amazing year, helping individuals with disabilities feel empowered and confident enough to use their voice to impact change. This has been due to Fife’s regional team working hard to create the Fife Inclusion Forum.

The Fife Inclusion Forum brings together partners from different sectors and people with lived experience of disabilities.

So far in 2025, the forum has been working hard to come together and: share knowledge, identify barriers, exchange best practices and work to promote the rights, opportunities, and inclusion of disabled people in Fife. Through centering the voices and experiences of disabled people throughout the region, the Fife Inclusion Forum not only promotes awareness and understanding but also drives tangible change.

The Forum’s mission is to ensure that people with disabilities in Fife are empowered to thrive and contribute fully to society. If you would like to find out further information, you can call 07592533163 or email kirsty.byrne@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway

The Ayrshire Sports Abilities Summer Activity Programme was a big event in the region. The programme provided adults with disabilities in Ayrshire with opportunities to take part in a range of inclusive sports. It was fantastic to see that there was a desire for participants to get involved in sport and physical activity throughout the region, with all sessions being incredibly well attended.

In Dumfries and Galloway, it was exciting to see Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport (DGDS) host their first ever awards ceremony. The event highlighted the fantastic work that took place across the region, showcased by the final award of the night which was awarded to Sandra Proudfoot.  Sandra was instrumental in setting up the Member Branch and has been a key part of the fantastic team at DGDS ever since.

Tayside

In Tayside, it was also their events that proved to be highlights, with the regional team working hard to partner with Member Branches, local, regional and national partners to deliver a fantastic calendar of events.

2025 saw the first ever Tayside Student Team Boccia Championships, in partnership with Active Campus Coordinators, UHI Perth, Dundee & Angus College, Perth & Kinross Disability Sport and Active Dundee. The Event had 36 students with a disability from UHI Perth and Dundee & Angus College Gardyne, and Arbroath Campuses compete in a fantastic day of boccia in a friendly and supportive environment. The event also brought in HNC Sports students to gain valuable experience working with students with a disability, supported by top boccia referee Darren Thomson.

It was a great day had by all, especially the group from Dundee Gardyne Campus who won a thrilling final to be crowned Champions for 2025. Following the success of the event, the devoted regional team are already planning for an Athletics event at UHI Perth in February.

Highland

For the Highland’s regional team, one of the many highlights is being able to watch boccia continue to grow throughout the area. It has been great to see boccia being played in more settings throughout Highland and Orkney. This has included increased participation in schools, care homes and charities, such as Myself management groups.

Additionally, it has been great to see links being strengthened with partners. One of these partners is UHI Inverness, who are keen to help the sport grow throughout the region, which is evidenced by them committing to host the Highland Schools Regional Championships in March 2026.

East of Scotland

One of the foremost highlights has been seeing both competitive athletes and grassroot participants continue to develop in their respective sports. For Lothian Disability Sport, it has been great to see local athletes flourish on the international stage, in the form of Finlay Menzies who won a bronze medal whilst competing at the World Para Athletics Championships. Following this terrific success, Finlay has been selected for the Scottish Athletics National Academy.

Whereas for Borders Disability Sport it has been great to see bowlers at Peebles Bowling Club continue to develop. For everyone who has managed to see their continued development, it has been fantastic to see them all grow from being players who at one point couldn’t deliver a bowl the length of the rink, to now taking part in events throughout the local area.

To get involved in sport throughout your region, reach out to your local SDS Regional Development Manager to find out about any local opportunities.

To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

17/12/2025

Boccia 2025: A Year in Review

Boccia celebrates the role models who inspire progress, strengthen performance pathways, and unite communities through inclusive sport.

It’s been a remarkable year for boccia in Scotland. Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Scotland’s National Governing Body for the sport, has delivered one of its busiest years yet, creating many opportunities for social play and competitive events across the country.

Reflecting on this progress, the boccia community celebrates the role models who inspire participation, strengthen performance pathways, and showcase the power of inclusive sport.

2024 saw Stephen McGuire crowned Paralympic champion at the Paris Paralympics, becoming the first Scottish boccia athlete to win gold at a Paralympic Games. Building on that historic achievement, 2025 has not disappointed, with Scottish players continuing to showcase their talent on both national and international circuits.

The interest in the game continues to grow, with new and experienced players, officials, volunteers, and coaches coming together across Scotland to support the sport’s development and create opportunities for everyone to get involved.

Improving performance pathways

Throughout 2025, the skills and expertise of boccia coaches in Scotland have continued to grow, with Peter McGuire, Scott McCowan and Jamie McCowan successfully completing the Boccia Coaching Futures Programme.

The newly qualified Coach Apprentices have been working closely with experienced coaches across Scotland to develop skills and support national and regional athletes, helping to strengthen the performance pathway.

Over the past 12 months, Scottish Disability Sport has seen a surge in interest from individuals keen to become boccia coaches. With six Boccia Leaders courses and one Level 1 Boccia Coaching course delivered, many more coaches and leaders are now equipped to pursue their boccia ambitions and support the sport’s growth.

To support player development, SDS invited a select group of regional athletes and their coaches to train alongside the national squad. This collaborative experience provided valuable learning opportunities, strengthening both athlete performance and coaching expertise.

For the first time ever, SDS’s National Open Championships were held over two days. With the new extended event model, SDS took the opportunity to stage a classification clinic which allowed developmental players to get nationally classified. Once an athlete is classified, they can enter National Open Championships, further helping emerging athletes progress along the performance pathway.

The UK Coaching Awards has recognised the achievements of two Scottish coaches, with both Claire Morrison and Peter McGuire named as finalists for High Performance Coach of the Year and Talent Development Coach of the Year, respectively.

Tournament success

It has been a fantastic year on the court, with Scottish athletes continuing to perform at the highest level. Stephen McGuire MBE, was at the top of the list of high performing athletes in becoming the men’s Individual BC4 European Champion.

In true fashion, Stephen did it in style, as he was promoted from the group stage with only one loss. Stephen’s strong play and precision stayed with him throughout the quarter final, as he defeated Hungary’s Gergo Berkes 6 – 1. In the semifinal he came up against Boris Nicolai, from Germany. After a strong performance (winning 5-1), Stephen progressed to the final.

In the final, Stephen came up against Paulo Cardoso of Portugal and saved his best performance until last, pulling off a convincing 7 – 0 victory. This great run of form helped solidify Stephen’s place as the top ranked men’s BC4 player in the world.

Elsewhere, Alex Medley stormed his way onto the international boccia scene. After Alex became internationally classified as a BC1 athlete, his first call up to represent the Boccia UK team came at the Olbia boccia Challenger.

At the 2025 iteration of the UK Boccia Championships, there was a strong Scottish presence. With a four strong Scottish contingent making the trip over to Antrim, Northern Ireland, for the last event of the year.

The squad had a new feel to it, with a mixture of experienced athletes and some of Scotland’s most promising talent, combining to create a really exciting team.

The playing squad was Stephen McGuire (BC4), Tyler McLelland (BC4), Fiona Muirhead (BC4) and Layla McCloskey (BC2).

Every member of the squad put in a fantastic performance, showcasing their respective skillsets against the best in the UK.

Fiona and Tyler got their campaigns started against each other and after a nail biting clash, Tyler came out on top. Following this, both Fiona and Tyler continued their campaigns by winning one match and losing another in the group stage.

This saw Tyler qualify through to the semi finals, where he went up against fellow Scott, Stephen, who was in blistering form having gone unbeaten throughout the group stages. Stephen took the win over Tyler meaning that Stephen headed into the final with Tyler into the third place play off.

In his final competitive match of the season, Tyler was up against Louis Saunders of England in the BC4 Bronze medal match. Tyler put in a fantastic performance, to return home with the bronze medal after winning 8 – 0.

In the BC4 final, Stephen had tough opposition, in the form of England’s Sophie Newnham. This meant that the BC4 final would be one for the ages with both the men’s and women’s BC4 world number ones coming up against each other. In the end, Stephen was defeated 5 – 2, to take home the silver medal.

Elsewhere at the championships, Layla made her Championship’s debut – only 12 months after she was there as a spectator – and what a championship the young BC2 player had. The girl from Glasgow continued to prove herself at the highest level, playing some phenomenal boccia against some of the very best. It was safe to say that she finished the championships with a flurry, with both of her final two matches going down to the final ball. Layla’s amazing debut felt even better after she won the second of these two matches, seeing her win her first ever match at a UK Championship.

On a national level, boccia was delivered at every SDS Parasport Festivals – resulting in 298 participants having an opportunity to participate in the sport.

The year also marked the successful return of the Women and Girl’s in Boccia Day, welcoming 23 female participants to experience the sport in a safe, supportive environment that encouraged confidence, and connection.

Continuing the theme of returning events, Forth Valley Right On Track Boccia Club proudly hosted its first competition since the pandemic. It was a resounding success with entries reaching full capacity and players relishing the chance to compete once again.

Sport for all

In 2025, SDS has seen a significant rise in interest in boccia, with 503 registered players now taking part in 28 opportunities across 24 of Scotland’s 32 councils.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, Scotland has continued to demonstrate strong representation, with a six-athlete contingent competing against the world’s best. Stephen McGuire (BC4), Patrick Wilson (BC3), Kayleigh Brown (BC2), Tyler McLelland (BC4), Fiona Muirhead (BC4), and Alex Medley (BC1) all seized the opportunity to test their skills against the best in the sport.

West Dumbartonshire boccia club is at the heart of the grassroot community, working hard to attract new players by linking with local community groups and delivering taster sessions at sheltered housing.

In the west of Scotland, The Milldale (a day centre for adults with a learning disability) has been working with SDS and OneRen to create inclusive opportunities to participate in the sport. A boccia league has been launched with The Milldale’s sister day centre, alongside other local charities to create a friendly and social competition that provides participants with an opportunity to gain both the physiological and psychological benefits.

Following SDS’s partnership work with the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA), updates were made to the list of activities eligible for assessment for young people’s physical education qualification, from a National 3 through to Advanced Higher level.

This partnership allowed pupils in 2024–25 to have their performance assessed in Paralympic sports like boccia, with 2025 marking a milestone as the first pupil completed a qualification.

Looking to the future

Following the success of the Women and Girl’s in Boccia Day, SDS have added new events to the calendar, including two ‘Family in Boccia Days’ (north and central).

With boccia featured prominently throughout all SDS Parasport Festivals in 2025, six festivals are already planned across Scotland for 2026, offering even more opportunities to get involved and experience the sport.

Find out more

About SDS
Get involved in boccia, reach out to your local SDS Regional Development Manager
About local opportunities. Contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer to be added to the mailing list: Jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com
Follow SDS on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

16/12/2025

Thank you Boccia Officials

9 Scottish boccia Officials all smiling to the camera. — The 9 Scottish Officials selected to officiate at the 2025 UK Boccia Championships

As the 2025 year comes to a close, it would be remis not to do a huge shout out to all the Boccia Officials. Without these amazing individuals who give up their spare time on the weekends to ensure all the competitions can go ahead.

All the officials travel across the country to support our busy events calendar and 2025s has been the busiest yet.

Moreover, nine Scottish officials were selected to officiate at the UK Boccia Championships in Antrim. The championships ran from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December. With all of the Officials playing a crucial role ensuring that the championships ran smoothly.

Furthermore, each of the nine strong contingent of Scottish Officials showcased their abilities, resulting in the on-court spectacle being at the highest of levels.

So, thank you, to all the officials who have made boccia happen in 2025.

10/12/2025

69% Rise in Swimmers with a Disability Marks Major Leap for Inclusion

More children thriving in mainstream classes as Learn to Swim champions inclusion

SCOTLAND is seeing a major rise in the number of children with disabilities learning to swim.

New figures show a 69% increase in just one year with 81% of swimmers with a disability now learning in mainstream or non-disability-specific classes, highlighting a shift towards more inclusive and supportive lesson environments across Scotland – linking nicely to Scottish Disability Sport’s four-point Call to Action which calls for action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity.

A report published by Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water reveals that of the almost 82,000 children who took part in the Learn to Swim Framework up to March this year, 2,745 were registered as disabled, a significant jump from 2024.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in more than 160 pools across Scotland, with the shared vision to create ‘Generation Swim’, a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers who benefit from the wider health and social rewards that swimming can offer.

The figures have been published to coincide with the annual #SeeMyAbility campaign, run by the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework – Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water. The campaign aims to break down participation barriers for individuals with disabilities and spread the message that swimming is for everyone.

“It’s great to see the Learn to Swim Framework reaching more children with disabilities and learning alongside their peers,” said Paul Wilson, Disability Performance Development Manager at Scottish Swimming.

“We recognise that the learning environment has to suit individual needs but the fact that more children are learning in mainstream classes shows how far we’ve come in terms of teachers’ understanding and ability to support children with disabilities.“

The Learn to Swim Framework is open to everyone regardless of age, ability or skill levels, with the partnership committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Paralympian Toni Shaw is an ambassador for the National Learn to Swim Framework and spearheads the See My Ability campaign. She started swimming aged just one through the Learn to Swim Framework in Aberdeen. Born without a right hand, she has gone on to medal on the world stage and has represented GB at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics where she won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m freestyle S9 event.

“I think it’s so important for anyone with a disability to be in a mainstream club, I was really lucky that my parents put me into a mainstream class” says Toni. “It’s where my love for swimming started. I think it is just such an important message, that if you have a disability, you can thrive in a mainstream environment. Not everyone’s going to want to be a competitive swimmer but having the skill to be in the water and be safe is so important.”

The ‘See My Ability’ campaign has championed inclusivity since its inception in 2019 and encourages lesson providers to create the best environment available, and if appropriate adapt lessons, to ensure children develop and progress.

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: “Ensuring people of all ages and abilities have access to learn to swim to help them feel confident and safer in the water is vital – especially in a country like Scotland where there are miles of lochs, rivers, reservoirs and coastlines.

“We’re proud to support a programme that is accessible to all – and this is not only important from a safety perspective, as individuals will also get to experience the wider social, health and fitness benefits that swimming can offer.

Paul Wilson added, “This is a great example of partnership working. Inclusion is high on the agenda among Learn to Swim providers and the Scottish Swimming-Scottish Water Framework supports this with resources, training and videos to help teachers better understand different disabilities.”

To learn more about Para swimming opportunities within your area, please contact your SDS Regional Development Manager via: Regional Contacts – .

To find out more about the Learn to Swim programme visit: https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim

09/12/2025

My Time as the Young Start Events’ Assistant

A Year of Empowerment and Inclusion with Scottish Disability Sport

By Charlotte Askham

For me, the past year has been nothing short of transformative. As the Young Start Events Assistant with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), I has played a vital role in delivering inclusive sporting events across the country, supporting athletes with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, vision impairments and hearing loss.

“I am incredibly grateful to SDS, Josh, and Kirsty for this amazing opportunity,” Charlotte shared. “It’s been a year of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.”

From swimming competitions to boccia tournaments, I have taken on a variety of responsibilities including registration, social media and results coordination. These hands-on roles have helped my build confidence and gain valuable insights into event logistics and team collaboration.

One standout moment was the national Summer Camp held in Aviemore—a three-day event for young athletes aged 10 to 17. “Supporting my team and watching them push past boundaries was incredibly inspiring,”. “And yes—our team won! Go greens!”

Reflecting on my journey, I highlighted the diverse skill that I have developed, from communication and teamwork to event planning. My time with SDS has laid a strong foundation for future opportunities in sport and community engagement.

This story is a testament to the power of inclusive sport and the impact of youth development programs. As I looks ahead, her passion and experience promise to make waves in whatever comes next.

A massive thank you to the National Lottery Young Start Funding for providing this opportunity of a role within SDS.

08/12/2025

Paralympic Pathway Manager: British Curling

British Curling Vacancy: Paralympic Pathway Manager
Location: National Curling Academy, The Peak, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ Contract
Type: Part Time Maternity Cover until January 2027 (hours negotiable)
Salary: Circa £35,000 (pro rata)
Responsible to: Paralympic Head Coach

British Curling – Paralympic Pathway Manager

British Curling is seeking a self-motivated, innovative, and strategically minded team player to lead the delivery of a pioneering Paralympic pathway system. In this influential role, you will work closely with our Paralympic Head Coach to identify and develop emerging talent for the next Paralympic cycle and beyond.

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a critical and exciting moment as we move into the final lead-up to the Paralympic Winter Games. Since its establishment following the success of the Beijing cycle, the Paralympic Pathway has already experienced significant growth and early achievements. The next phase is to build on this strong foundation and amplify momentum pre-, during, and post-Milan–Cortina, while using the platform of the Games to promote the programme and attract new talent into the sport.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious individual with outstanding communication and organisational skills to help shape a world-leading performance environment. You will play a central role in strengthening and sustaining a pipeline of world-class Paralympic athletes within an organisation renowned for its ability to identify, develop, and support talent that can excel on the world stage.

About British Curling British Curling is the governing body responsible for delivering medal-winning performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as at World and European Championships. As one of Britain’s most successful Winter Olympic sports, we are proud to be the only British high-performance programme based in Scotland.

Candidates will ideally bring a passion for curling, a strong interest in performance sport, and the drive to help shape and elevate a world-leading Paralympic pathway.

To apply: Please click here to download the job description from the British Curling website. To apply for this exciting opportunity please email: performance@britishcurling.org.uk with a CV and covering letter outlining your skills and experience demonstrating your suitability to the role.

Please submit your application with the specific reference PPM25 in the subject line.

For further information and any specific enquiries regarding the role can be directed to Dave Leith, Performance Director dave.leith@britishcurling.org.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 19th December 2025
Interviews will be held w/c 5th January 2025

British Curling is committed to selecting and appointing staff solely on the basis of their ability to do the job for which they are being recruited and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. British Curling encourages job applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

03/12/2025

Scottish Disability Sport Seeks Members for National Advisory Forum

YOUR SPORT. YOUR VOICE. YOUR IMPACT

• Are you passionate about shaping the future of disability sport in Scotland?
• Do you have lived experience of disability and want to make a difference?

Join the National Advisory Forum at Scottish Disability Sport – a dynamic group of individuals who bring real-world insight, experience, and ideas to influence positive change.

Type of role: Voluntary
Commitment: 4 meetings per year (mainly online with occasional in-person)
Duration: 2-year term with the possibility to serve for a further term
Reporting to: SDS Governance Subgroup
SDS Liaison: SDS Head of Policy
Deadline: 12pm, 28 January 2026
Interviews: Week beginning 2 February 2026 (Time TBC)

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is fully committed to being an organisation that co-designs with our athletes and participants to ensure the voice of those with lived experience is heard and directs the work of the organisation. SDS is particularly keen to ensure all disability groups and backgrounds are represented on the forum. Any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application process and for the duration of the forum will be met.

This is your chance to:

Advocate for inclusion and equality in sport and physical activity,
Advise on policies and programmes that matter,
Inspire the next generation of athletes and participants.

Your perspective matters. Together, we can create a sporting landscape where everyone
belongs. Our strategic plan, which directs our work, can be found on our website at
www.scotishdisabilitysport.com alongside our Call to Action which urges all our stakeholders to engage in meaningful change to remove barriers to sport and physical activity.

To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter or 1 minute video indicating your suitability for the role to: Mark Gaffney, SDS Head of Policy at: mark.gaffney@Scottishdisabilitysport.com by 12pm on 28 January 2026.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Mark at the email above or by phoning 0131 317 1130.