Category: A News

23/09/2025

The Boccia Coaching Futures Leading By Example

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.

Over the past four years, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and sportscotland have been embarking on an exciting opportunity for boccia players with high performance experience to join the SDS Performance coaching team on a volunteer coaching apprenticeship.

This opportunity has been made possible through sportscotland’s Coaching Futures programme, which aims to increase the pool of home-grown world class coaches, whilst retaining sports-specific knowledge within Scottish sport.

The Boccia coaching Futures Programme had a cohort of three former players; Peter McGuire and brothers, Scott and Jamie McCowan. All of which have competed nationally and internationally, representing Great Britain and Paralympics GB.

The programme has provided the group with many great opportunities to learn and develop. All of the coaches from the programme have had different highlights. Peter explained that: “A great highlight has been working with the likes of Kayleigh (Kayleigh Brown) and Alex (Alex Medley), where we are helping them to progress to that top level.”

Whereas Scott has enjoyed working closely with Lesley McKenna, part of sportscotland’s Coach Development team. Scott said: “The biggest highlight for me has to be working with Lesley our coach mentor and just having her to bounce ideas off of.”

Jamie added, “I would second that, working with Lesley has been a highlight. I think it is one thing to have good experience and to develop that on the job but to have that outside voice to give you feedback or to ask the right questions in order to get the right answers out of yourself has been very important.”

All of the coaches were interested in joining the programme for different reasons. “I was coaching for a few years before the programme started. What really drew me to the programme was the opportunity to set up a high-performance ecosystem in Scotland for boccia athletes, which is being delivered by current and former boccia athletes”, Peter explained.

Although Scott and Jamie were still part of Boccia UK’s World Class Programme and were both performing at a high level when they joined the programme, the pair decided to retire from performing towards the end of 2022 in order to focus on developing their coaching. “I just want to pass on knowledge and help create more Paralympians and successful athletes from Scotland”, said Jamie.

Throughout their time on the programme, they’ve all learnt a great lot. “I said at the beginning that I wanted to gain confidence. I would say that throughout the programme I can fully trust myself as a coach”, said Scott.

The endless search for perfection is a curious thing and has been a particular element that Peter has enjoyed delving into. This has been highlighted through the opportunities the coaches have had to meet, connect and network with other high-performance coaches from other sports throughout Scotland. “It can be humbling, going to speak to experts from different fields. The thing that this has highlighted is that they are experts in their fields but they don’t know everything. They are always looking to evolve and learn”, the Hamilton born coach explained.

Whereas one of Jamie’s most valuable lessons has been learning to have confidence in what is important to him and understanding to trust his coaching philosophy.

“It can take you a while to find but everyone has their own unique style of coaching. Ultimately, we all have a set style or a set philosophy, obviously that develops and that changes but fundamentally you must have confidence in what you bring and what is important to you”, Jamie said.

Scott explained how having experienced the trials and tribulations of being a high performance athlete has helped him support up-and-coming players. “I think whether you have been a competitor or a coach who hasn’t competed doesn’t make you a great coach, I think it can certainly help in the sense that you can really relate with what they (the athletes) are going through”, he said.

Lesley McKenna has had the opportunity to work closely with all of the coaches on the programm. She commented, “I am super proud of all of the coaches. They have all come such a long way.”

Lesley continued to say: “I am really starting to see how they are bringing themselves into their coaching practices, and how in doing that they are able to work collaboratively together to develop plans, to organise, to come up with new ideas and deliver coaching within the Scottish programme and then being able to take that to the Boccia UK programme.”

With the programme set to come to a close soon, the current cohort is looking at what their next steps in the sport may be.

Scott said, “My aspirations now that the programme is coming to an end are the same as they were at the beginning. I want to coach boccia and work with people that enjoy the sport. I want to develop and progress and ultimately, I want to work with players that want to compete.”

Although the programme is coming to an end, all involved throughout its implementation are keen that it sets a precedent for future coach development opportunities in Scotland. “I am keen that this is one of the first examples of a long-term programme with a group of coaches with a coach developer in Scotland, we are really leading by example”, said Lesley.

“Boccia hasn’t had a history of athletes becoming coaches, for whatever reason we haven’t had many examples of that over the years. For me it’s quite important. If we can be the start of a movement where we are showing players within the sport that there is a route into the sport, if that happens, I would be proud of that”, said Jamie.

If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia opportunities in your local area, you can do so by reaching out to your Regional Development Manager or alternatively, SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, at: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

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

20/09/2025

Scottish Disability Sport Calls for Urgent Action to Remove Barriers to Sport and Physical Activity

Today, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is launching a four-point Call to Action that is calling 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.

The national survey revealed that 40% of people with a disability in Scotland are worried about losing their benefits if they are seen to be more physically active. With nearly 1 in 5 respondents doing no physical activity each week, yet 73% expressing a desire to do more, the results from the survey highlight concerns around the benefits system, rising living costs, public transport and more.

SDS is urging government, local authorities, health boards, education providers, leisure trusts and third-sector organisations to recognise the rights of people with a disability, as set out in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and to collaborate on systemic change.

Key actions called for include:

Plan to include

Reduce inequalities for people with disabilities through inclusive strategy, policy, development and proportionate funding.

Invest in systemic change to remove barriers to accessible travel, affordable and accessible facilities and inclusive spaces.

Deliver an inclusive whole system approach

Every person with a disability has the right to take part in quality inclusive physical activity, physical education and sport.

A health and social care system that prescribes appropriate physical activity opportunities at every stage of the individual’s pathway.

A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active

Provide safeguards to reassure people with disabilities that being active will not negatively impact any government financial assistance.

Those in receipt of Self-Directed Support in Scotland should be able and encouraged to use their budget to engage in physical activity and sport.

Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach

Collaborate with partners across sectors to champion intersectionality within policy, strategy and development.

Ensure the needs of people with disabilities with intersecting identities are considered and met by co-design with those with lived experience.

95% of survey respondents believe physical activity helps their mental health and wellbeing yet over 90% do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, with less than half of survey respondents receiving encouragement from a health or social care professional to be more active.

Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said, “This Call to Action is a really important piece of work for Scottish Disability Sport, as it is based on the evidence gathered from our first ever National Survey which we delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University. The evidence clearly shows that there are four urgent priorities that must be addressed to create a more inclusive and active society for people with disabilities. These four Calls to Action will influence our work and the work of our many partners in Scotland and beyond.”

SDS calls on a systemic change to create a more inclusive and active Scotland.

You can view the full Call to Actions in full detail, via this PDF here.

05/09/2025

Nominations Open for Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2025

Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to partner in the 2025 Glasgow’s Sport Awards.

The awards bring together athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools and community organisations to celebrate sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow.

Nominations are now open across 10 categories so let us know who gets your vote.

Who Gets Your Vote?

To nominate a person, organisation or project that has made a real difference to sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow visit here: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/glasgows-sport-awards-2025/

The website contains full descriptors and criteria for the awards with the link to our online nomination form. If you have any questions then get in touch with: gsa@glasgowlife.org.uk

Glasgow’s Sport Awards Categories
Glasgow Business Contribution Award
Glasgow Coach of the Year Award
Glasgow Community Impact Award
Glasgow Disabled Athlete of the Year Award
Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Award
Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award
Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award
Uniting Glasgow Award
Glasgow Unsung Hero Award
Glasgow Young Sportsperson of the Year Award

Nominations close at midnight on Tuesday 30th September 2025.

05/09/2025

JOB ALERT: Trusts and Grants Fundraising Post

Renumeration: £20 per hour
Hours: 15 – 20 hours per week (subject to agreement)
Duration: 12 months fixed term, with a potential for extension depending on success.
Contract Type: Contract for Services (on a Self-employed basis)
Responsible to: SDS Head of Policy
Deadline: 12pm, 26th September 2025

Interviews: Wednesday 8 October 2025 (Time TBC)
Workplace: Remote or office based working is available. SDS are based at Forthstone
Office, 56 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9EB.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is looking for a talented Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to inspire funders to support SDS in achieving our vision to ensure sport and physical activity in Scotland are welcoming and inclusive for participants with disabilities. SDS is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Our strategic plan, which directs our work, can be found here on our website.

Are you a sensitive storyteller, enthusiastic fundraiser, confident collaborator and dedicated researcher? You will design compelling funding applications, innovate new ways to connect with Trusts and Foundations, and steward vital income for our projects and services.

This role will enable SDS to grow its impact, strengthen donor relationships, diversify funding sources, and support long-term financial sustainability. Do you –

Have a strong track record of securing funding via trusts and grants for organisations in the
third sector?
Have the ability to create engaging and innovative storytelling to evidence the positive
impact of funding for people with a disability in Scotland?
Have the knowledge and expertise to harness new ways of connecting to trusts, foundations
and philanthropists?

You will be part of a dynamic and energetic team at SDS who support people with disabilities in Scotland to engage in sport and be more active.

To apply, please submit your C.V. and a cover letter indicating your suitability for the role to:
Mark Gaffney, SDS Head of Policy at mark.gaffney@Scottishdisabilitysport.com

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

27/08/2025

Scottish Disability Sport Coaching Apprenticeship Programme – Applications Closing Soon

Are you aged 16 – 24, based on Scotland, have a disability and are keen to get involved in coaching sport? If so, read on!

The Young Start Programme (Funded by National Lottery’s Community Fund) is now welcoming applications for the 2025/2026 cohort.

We have space for up to 12 young people with physical disabilities, vision impairment, hearing loss and/or mild learning disabilities to gain a Level 1 (SCQF Level 5 or Level 6) coaching qualification and coaching experience.

Apprentice coaches are supported by their own mentor, have access to a £200 training budget, are invited to attend a whole host of CPD workshops, and can join the annual Young Start and Young Person’s Sports Panel residential at Inverclyde.

There are only a few more days left until applications close. To get involved & for more information, complete the application form by 15th September. Contact alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com with any queries.

To find out what our current cohort have gained from being involved in the programme, check out our Young Start Article from June this year.

04/08/2025

Dundee City Discovery Games Are Back

The Discovery Games events are taking place again in September (2025).

The Games have been an extremely popular fixture in Dundee City Disability Sport (DCDS) calendar for almost three decades and always well attended from Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) branches.

Entry is open to people with disabilities from across the country and full details for each event can be found within the attached documents, below.

01/08/2025

Vacancy: Disability Inclusion Officer with basketballscotland

basketballscotland are looking for a passionate and proactive individual to lead our work in making basketball more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities across Scotland. This role will focus on breaking down barriers to participation: supporting the growth of wheelchair basketball; engaging directly with people with disabilities and their families; and, helping shape environments where everyone can belong and thrive.

You’ll be someone who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo, especially when it comes to creating equity and inclusion.

You’ll take responsibility for driving change, work closely with others to co-design better solutions, and always look for ways to improve, with a particular focus on people with physical, learning and sensory disabilities. Most of all, you’ll believe in the power of sport to bring people together, working with courage, compassion and purpose to help make that a reality.

Job Title: Disability Inclusion Officer
Salary: £24,000 – £26,000
Location: Flexible, but with the expectation to be in Head Office (Corstorphine, Edinburgh) on a Thursday
Reports to: Social Impact Lead
Hours: We are open to Full-time or part-time. Core hours are 10:00 – 15:00 with flexibility regarding when you complete the rest of your hours, subject to line manager agreement.

For more information about the role including key responsibilities, please consult the recruitment pack.

For further information or to ask any questions, please email: hr@basketball.scot

29/07/2025

The Boccia Community in Rural Scotland

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.

One of Scottish Disability Sport’s member branches, Perth And Kinross Disability Sport, have been working hard to ensure that they are providing opportunities for individuals to participate in sport throughout rural Scotland. One opportunity that Perth and Kinross Disability Sport has provided is a session in Crieff and this club caters for individuals throughout the region, providing inclusive opportunities, whilst creating a community spirit.

One of the coaches that has been an integral member of the club, has been Sam Medley. Having been with the club since it started, Sam has found her involvement to be very rewarding, commenting:

“It’s a great sport and it’s nice being able to see so many different people play it. This brings a lot of the enjoyment, and when you can see some of the players getting some of the things you are doing, that is just fantastic.”

With the boccia club being located in a rural area of Scotland, one aspect of the club that Sam has noticed to be particularly impactful, has been the social element.

“A lot of the players know each other. It’s not just about playing boccia, it’s about getting people together.” Sam explained. The community spirit of the club is something that Sam has really enjoyed seeing develop.

She said: “It’s that community because they all come together, and they all do something together. It is good that they get that opportunity, and that they can get to do something different.”

The club is held weekly, on Monday nights from 5pm to 6pm, at Crieff Community Campus who is always looking for new members.

The club has a real range of participants, from 14 years old to 75 years old. With a range of participant ages, ability and disabilities comes a range of motivations for attending.

One of the many motivations is the physical benefits that boccia can provide.

“We had one player with a physical disability and it’s been great seeing her, when she first initially came she couldn’t get the ball next to the V line*, and now she is getting stronger and she is learning techniques and improving hand-eye coordination. We are really seeing her improve and that is great,” Sam said.

“She gets a lot out of that (participating), you can see that she knows that she is able to do something that she hadn’t been able to do and she is absolutely delighted,” said Sam.

Sam’s son, Alex Medley, is a member of the Scottish Boccia Squad for the 2025 season. With Alex having the opportunity to come through the boccia pathway and perform at a national level within the BC2 classification, Sam has had an opportunity to watch how boccia can impact participants of all levels, from grassroots to high performance. This has motivated Sam to stay involved in Crieff Boccia Club as well as trying to help provide more opportunities in rural Perthshire.

Sam commented: “I can see the benefits of doing sport, for people who have disabilities, that is the bit that really motivates me at times because I think that sport should be for all.”

The community spirit that has been surrounding Crieff Boccia club, is not just one that is being noticed by participants. Sam reflected on how it has been impacting coaches, saying, “We had a young person coaching with us, and they were doing it for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by volunteering.

“She got so much out of it. To begin with she was resistant and didn’t quite know how to interact with other people and how to do things. It didn’t take her long to find her confidence and seeing the relationships that she built with other people was really rewarding as well.”

This social nature of the club can further be seen by the willingness of parents to get involved.

“The parents are actually coming on board to help because we can’t always be there every week,” Sam said, before expanding: “It’s not just about playing boccia, it’s about getting people involved and seeing the positive aspects of participating.”

* The V line is the minimum distance the Jack ball has to be thrown onto the boccia court, measuring  1.5 metres from the start of the court.

If you would like to get involved with Crieff Boccia Club, you can email Graeme.Doig@scottishdisabilitysport.com to find out more information and to register your interest.

If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia opportunities in your local area, you can do so by reaching out to your Regional Development Manager. This manager will be able to provide you with information on how to get involved as a volunteer, coach, official or player.

Alternatively, you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, by email: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

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

15/07/2025

Boccia Sessions Being Delivered Across Care Homes in Shetland

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.

Ability Shetland, one of Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) member branches, has been working hard to deliver boccia sessions to care homes throughout the island.

These sessions are being delivered by 67-year-old Avril Starmore. The way that boccia makes people feel is her favorite thing about coaching.

“It’s about seeing the smiles on their faces when they realise they can do something. I take a ramp for the ones that are not able to hold the balls in their hands to deliver a shot. So they put the ball on a ramp and they just push it down, and you should see the smiles on their faces when they get it into the right area,” said Avril.

Avril’s infectious enthusiasm for the sport has been wearing off on many of the participants.

“They really enjoy it. When you first go in, they say, ‘I’m not playing’. Then you play a few warmup games with them and by the time you are finished, they are asking, ‘oh when are you coming back, that was good, we really enjoyed that’,” Avril commented.

Both Avril and Ability Shetland have been working hard to ensure that opportunities are being provided in rural locations throughout the region. This commitment has seen Avril travel to some of Shetland’s outer islands, Yell and Whalsay. This has been made possible for Avril through the use of her Motability Scheme car and with the help of her sponsors Kay and Kay Transport.

Avril has also enjoyed seeing the competitive side of the participants come out. Avril said: “The first time, we play about with a few wee games and then we go into it a bit more. Then by the third or fourth game they are saying, ‘right come on, we want to get right into it.’”

Avril has also been finding creative ways of getting players interested, saying, “What I have been doing this summertime is a big competition – the red team against the blue team. Everyone got a medal and then the winning team got certificates to put up on the wall. We are now going to look to do it in the next term on the lead up to Christmas.”

There are also a lot of important physiological and psychological benefits for the participants.

“They are sitting there and they are moving, even if it’s just moving their arms, and they are all talking to each other,” Avril said.

The boccia sessions are also providing a unique social experience. “I’ve found there is a big difference, all of them are talking more,” said Avril.

“When I first started going, they just sat and looked at each other. Now they are talking to each other and talking to me, all whilst they are playing.”

These positive effects that Avril has noticed, are being reinforced by staff from the seven care homes she visits. “I went to one care home yesterday, and they said, ‘can you come back on maybe a Wednesday or Thursday as we have different groups then’,” Avril said.

Avril has also noticed how staff are always eager to join in too, saying: “If there is ever an odd number, there will always be a carer joining in.”

Avril has passed her Boccia Leaders Award and is now working towards her Level 1 Boccia Coach Award. She explained how she always does her best to make her sessions as inclusive as possible.

“I will have people saying, ‘I can’t play because I can’t see’, and I will explain how I can put bright orange and white markers on the floor to help them. We make it as inclusive as possible so that there is no one sitting out.”

Avril is due to travel over to the mainland later this month, for the Scottish Learning Disability Sports National Summer Games. Fellow Shetland volunteer, Charis Scott, and a group of boccia players will accompany her.

Avril explained how the group are all excited about having an opportunity to represent the island. “They are all really looking forward to it. Two weeks’ time and we will be on the ferry.”

Good luck to the whole team.

If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia opportunities in your area, you can do so by reaching out to your Regional Development Manager. This manager will be able to provide you with information on local opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, coach, official or player.

Alternatively, you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, by email: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

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

07/07/2025

Yoga Group Empowering Those Living with Multiple Sclerosis in Orkney

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer

Yoga has many benefits for participants. From positively impacting their mental wellbeing and fitness, to providing a social environment, participants can gain a lot. These are some of the many reasons why the Orkney Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) has been delivering sessions to individuals diagnosed with MS.

These yoga sessions have been delivered for a little over two years now and one participant who has been attending for the duration, is 35-year-old Graeme Mainland.

“It’s been really good. It’s made a big difference, especially the social side of it which is definitely the biggest benefit,” Graeme said.

He went on to explain: “After we have done the yoga, which should be the most important bit, we have a cup of tea together and an informal chat, and we all have a laugh, and we all have a good moan.”

Jane Rawle, a Yoga Instructor on the island, who has been enthusiastically delivering these sessions from the beginning, has also seen how the group has provided a social hub for participants.

“They have completely created their own community. They come and do their yoga and then afterwards, most importantly, they get their time together over a cuppa and they get to share a lot. Everyone is very trusting, the space is a safe space where they feel like they can openly share with each other and this has been created from day one,” Jane said.

These yoga sessions have been designed for those recently diagnosed with MS, to have an opportunity to come together as a community.

“It was for people that had perhaps been diagnosed within the last five/ten years, and were younger and had young families, who were still remaining in work full time or part time,” Jane explained.

This is certainly an aspect of the class that Graeme found to be particularly impactful. He commented: “I was quite recently diagnosed when I started the class, so the class was really good at helping me meet other people with MS.”

Along with many of the social benefits, Graeme found the class to be helping him physically. This was something that he was searching for, after being impacted physiologically by MS. He said: “It’s definitely impacted my mobility and walking. The job I did before, I was a refuse collector, which involved quite a lot of walking and my MS was impacting my walking, so I had to stop in that line of work and go into a more office-based job.”

Throughout her yoga sessions, Jane aims to provide a range of exercises, delivered with a person-centered approach to ensure that it is meaningful for all.

Jane explained: “The class gives them ways that they can work out, for their own bodies. So, they feel stretched but not absolutely fatigued at the end.”

This approach has helped Graeme with his day-to-day life. “It’s been good to get different stretches that you can do. This has eased the discomfort, as my muscles can get quite tight and it helps with that,” he said.

The yoga sessions are delivered weekly on a Saturday and are held at the The Pickaquoy Centre, in Kirkwall, with between 4-12 participants. This group is always something that Jane looks forward to.

“It’s my highlight of the week and I keep saying it to them, they are such a fabulous group to work with,” said Jane.

Although they may have been unsure to start, this sense of enjoyment is definitely shared amongst the participants.

“With the yoga class we (the participants) have all spoken about it, before any of us attended the yoga class. None of us were sure about trying it, ‘I don’t know if it is for me’, type thing. But once you start going, once you get your feet over the door, the group we have got, it’s such a welcoming group and we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” said Graeme.

The group have been looking to try and find new and creative ways to be physically active and gain all of the benefits. With Jane being a qualified swimming coach, the group were able to hire a mobile sauna and had a sauna and swimming session.

This was something that Graeme enjoyed and found to be rewarding, an activity he has continued to do. He said, “It’s certainly really good going in the sea, and I have been doing a bit of sea swimming since then.”

Alongside the yoga class, the Orkney MS Society organise a range of events and activities, including their online art class. If you would be interested in finding out more about the yoga group, or other activities being delivered by the Orkney MS Society, contact georgecath@aol.com, or call 01856 872479.

To find out what sporting opportunities are available near to you, contact your Scottish Disability Sport Regional Development Manager, who can inform you about current clubs, classes and events throughout Scotland.

To keep up-to-date on all of SDS’s ongoing work. Make sure to follow SDS on Facebook and Instagram.