Month: February 2026

Photo of a young girl in an electric wheelchair playing boccia. She is wearing a boccia cap with head pointer.

National Boccia Training Camp 2026 Recap

Largs played host to the National Boccia Training Camp, which was held earlier this month (13th to 15th February) at sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde.  

Attending the camp were seven national players plus one development player from Scotland, as well as five players and a couple coaches from Disability Sport Norther Ireland (DSNI).  

The camp kicked off on the Friday with a ‘connections and culture’ workshop. This allowed for the new squad members to hear from the more experienced players about the impact and involvement of being in the squad, followed by the opportunity to discuss player’s aspirations.  

This was followed by a two-hour long skills session with DSNI.  

The Saturday was a jampacked day of training from 9am to 6pm, divided into a morning and afternoon session. Players were separated into small groups of mixed classifications and squads. This allowed players to learn from each other, share insights and tips and gain an understanding of the different skills required per player.  

Each group also had access to a selection of coaches from both Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and DSNI.  

Scottish squad member, Fiona Muirhead, commented on the day saying: “Having coaches and athletes from Northern Ireland has provided a good opportunity to play against new players, particularly those we don’t play often, it was also good to engage with new coaches and different coaching styles. It just gives us a bit more variety and an opportunity to push ourselves more.”   

Fiona Muirhead playing boccia. She is wearing her Scottish boccia kit and in her electric wheelchair.

 

 

After the intense day of training on Saturday, the evening’s entertainment involved a quiz and music bingo – it was quite the social affair!  

Sunday provided players with the opportunity to put their learning from Saturday to the test, with games played from 9am to 12noon in proper matchday format.  

SDS’ Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, regarded the camp a big success. He said, “It was fantastic to have a joint camp with players and coaches from DSNI. 

“I feel the camp is invaluable to everyone who attended as everyone can share their knowledge and experience and as a result support player and coach development. 

“This joint camp, which has been done for a few years now, allowed for close partnership working between both SDS and DSNI. The set up supports players across the national squad pathway through to those on the world class programme and I believe it is a unique set up that we have with both countries playing a part in shaping the camp.” 

He continued to say: “It was also great to see young up and coming development players attending with their coaches to work with the other coaches and players both in gaining information but sharing their knowledge and experience. ” 

Fiona added to this, saying: “The Scottish Camp always has such a lovely atmosphere. It was really exciting to see the new faces, particularly the new female faces joining the group.” 

Reflecting on the weekend, Scottish and Boccia UK Performance coach, Claire Morrison, said: “It is always great to get our Scottish Squad players together for an intensive couple of days training and matchplay. 

“Having the opportunity to work alongside our friends from Northern Ireland also brings a different dimension and variety to our work. It is a really important way to start the season both technically and from a connectivity perspective. 

“There is a great mix of experience and youth in the group of players and I love to see how they work together and support each other to learn and have fun in this environment.” 

Photo of a young man in his wheelchair with red and blue boccia balls. He is wearing a green Northern Ireland boccia training kit.

 

 

If you would like to find out more about boccia and how you can get involved as a player, official, volunteer, coach, education practitioner, please get in contact with SDS’ boccia development manager at: jonathan.kennedy@sottishdisabilitysport.co.uk or call: 0131 317 1130 

To find out how you can get involved in disability sport throughout your area as a participant, coach, official or volunteer, contact your Regional Development Manager. 

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

Photo of Fin Graham and Neil Fachie standing together, hugging and holding up the Scotland flag behind them.

Paralympians Neil Fachie and Fin Graham selected for Team Scotland

Team Scotland’s momentum towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continues to pick up pace with the selection of multiple World and Paralympic cycling medallists Neil Fachie MBE and Fin Graham MBE.

A 19-time World champion and four-time Paralympic Games medallist, Neil has cemented his place in Commonwealth Games history over the past three Games. Birmingham 2022 saw Neil, piloted by Lewis Stewart, win gold in the Time Trial and silver in the Sprint, making him the second most successful athlete in Team Scotland’s history with five gold and one silver medal.

At Glasgow 2026 he will be aiming to topple bowler Alex Marshall from the top of the list, who has five gold, one silver and one bronze.

Neil said: “In some ways it’s a bit of a surprise, given that I thought my cycling career might be over, but the lure of another Commonwealth Games in Scotland was pretty strong. I’m both excited and a little nervous about getting back into race shape and being on that start line, but excitement definitely wins.

“Some of my favourite moments of my cycling career have been with the Scottish team and the Commonwealth Games by nature is a fun competition anyway. The Scottish team spirit is always really strong and I love being part of the team first and foremost.

“Having a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow under my belt already, I know what it’s like, I know what it means and winning there was truly the best moment of my career.”

A lot has changed since those two golden weeks in 2014, Neil now has a full-time job and a three-year-old son putting demands on his time alongside training.

“It’s very different,” he added. “Having been a full-time athlete for 15 years, since Paris 2024 I haven’t really trained at all and I’m just getting back into it, trying to get back towards where I was. On the side I’m also going to be working full-time as well so I don’t have that luxury of six days a week to train like I normally would. I have to be smart about how I do it, but I’m confident that I can get back into medal winning shape and we’ll just see where the journey takes us.”

For Fin, Glasgow 2026 will be his first Commonwealth Games and, incredibly, his first time racing for Scotland at any level, but he comes in with a wealth of international success. At Paris 2024, he won his first Paralympic gold in the C1-3 Road Race, also taking silver in the Individual Pursuit on the track, to add to his two silver medals from Tokyo 2020. In 2025 he became the first Para athlete in history to win a fourth consecutive C3 road race world title and is also a fifteen-time medallist at the Track World Championships, including four gold. He’s had previous success on the very track he’ll race on this summer, winning gold in the Individual Pursuit at the World Championships in Glasgow in 2023.

Fin said: “It feels amazing. To have the opportunity to ride for Scotland in Scotland is something I never thought would happen, so to get that opportunity is a pinch me moment and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s been the top priority for training and motivation, so to have it confirmed is fantastic. It’s something that every athlete dreams of, competing in their home country, so it’s a dream come true.

“Being able to ride and celebrate a World title in front of a home crowd was special, doing that in a Scottish jersey will make it extra special.”

Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome two athletes of this calibre to Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. Neil’s achievements speak for themselves and it’s exciting to see Fin making his Team Scotland debut after so much success on the World and Paralympic stage.

“Congratulations to both Fin and Neil, as well as their families, support teams and coaches, and we wish them well in their preparation over the coming months.”

Athletes from across all 10 sports and six para-sports featured at Glasgow 2026 will be selected in the coming months as Team Scotland shapes up for an exciting home Games.

Sir Chris Hoy smiles as he walks holding the the King's Baton outside Buckingham Palace. A pipe band is in the background on the left side.

Bring the King’s Baton to Your Community in Scotland

Team Scotland is preparing to welcome the King’s Baton Relay ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and you can be part of the celebrations!

From Wednesday 1st July through to the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 23rd July, the Baton will travel across the country, visiting communities, events, and festivals to celebrate Team Scotland, sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games.

This year, the Relay has been reimagined to make it easier for communities to get involved. Rather than travelling continuously through streets, the Baton will use a hub-and-spoke model, bringing it to selected events across Scotland every day.

How to Host the Baton at Your Event

If you run a festival, sports activity, community gathering or other creative event, you can register your interest to host the Baton with via Glasgow 2026’s All In programme.

When you register, simply tick the box to share your event with Team Scotland. The KBR delivery team will review submissions and confirm which events will host the Baton by 30th April.

What the Baton Visit Looks Like
At selected events, the Baton can:
  • Be brought in by local Batonbearers or community heroes
  • Be displayed for attendees to hold, take photos and celebrate
  • Include content creation support, with imagery from the event available for your use
  • Feature current or former athletes, or a visit from Finnie, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Official Mascot, depending on availability

Themes and Ideas

We’re looking for creative and inclusive events that reflect the themes of sport and the Commonwealth. Events can be large or small, urban or rural. The more imaginative, the better!

We’re also incorporating activities that support the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, such as plastic and litter collections around Scottish waterways. Organisations that organise these activities are especially welcome.

 

Take Part in the Relay

This is your chance to bring the excitement of Glasgow 2026 to your community. Whether it’s a local sports event, a festival, a clean-up initiative, or another creative gathering, the Baton is coming to connect communities and celebrate Scottish and Commonwealth culture.

Register your event and get involved today via this link. 

 

Decorate Scotland’s Baton

There are 74 Batons, one for each nation and territory in the Games. Each country will decorate their Baton to represent their nation and these will be united in Glasgow when the Kings welcome message to open the Games is read out to the world.   

The Scotland Baton carries the word ‘gather’, a symbol of community, connection and celebration. Handmade in Glasgow by skilled makers from Galgæl and master craftsman Tim Norman, it’s a blank canvas waiting for Scotland’s creativity. Communities, artists, and schools are invited to apply to decorate and customise the Baton, leaving their mark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony.

Find out more about the open call for artists here: https://www.teamscotland.scot/kbr-scotland/kbr-decoration/

Don’t miss your chance to be part of history!

 

Glasgow Disability Sport – Job Opportunity

With Glasgow 2026 just around the corner, it’s a great time to get involved in disability sport in Scotland. 

An opportunity has come up with Glasgow Disability Sport who are lookin for a coordinator to join their team. They will co-ordinate and develop a range of physical activity and sport sessions and events for children, young people and adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities across Glasgow and the West.

Find out more about the role and how to apply, here: https://wp.me/p7H0JE-aNz 

 

SDS Call to Action

Scottish Disability Sport has launched a four-point Call to Action that calls on organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity. 

The four-point Call to Action follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.  

More information about the Call to Action is available on the SDS website homepage. You can view the full report, here. 

 

#InspiringThroughInclusion 

Photo of a young boy wearing a yellow t-shirt. He has a vision impairment is playing table cricket. The bat in his hands is about to hit a red ball. Text overlays the image and says: job opportunity, Glasgow Disability Sport

Job Opportunity with Disability Sport Glasgow

Disability Sport Glasgow (DSG) are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic person to join their team as coordinator.

They will co-ordinate and develop a range of physical activity and sport sessions and events for children, young people and adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities across Glasgow and the West.

 

Post Title: coordinator

Salary: £15,724

Hours: 17 hours per week (Part time, Self-employed)

Duration: Reviewed annually

Based: Hybrid, flexible working

 

For all applicants, please send a CV and covering letter outlining your skills and experience to DSG Chairperson Joan at: joanosullivan@hotmail.co.uk.

If you have any questions about the role or would like further information please feel free to get in touch.

  • Closing date for applications – 27th February 2026
  • Interviews week beginning – 16th March 2026

Full job description is available here.