Throughout this year the #BeActiveBeWell2023 campaign will promote opportunities for children, young people and adults with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being active in a way that suits them. 

The campaign is being run in partnership by Scottish Disability Sport, The Daily Mile,  scottishathletics, SAMH, Paths for All, GOGA Tayside and  Sportscotland 

This month #BeActiveBeWell2023 will be shining the spotlight on the SDS Parasport Festival Series. The parasport festival is a unique, lifechanging, fun exciting introduction to physical activity and sport for school aged children with physical disabilities, hearing loss and vision impairments.

Click here to find out where the nearest festival is to you and how you can register. 

“Today was my favourite day at school because everything was about me and what I could do.” 

“Sportacular, Awesome and Great Fun.”

These are some of the quotes from participants who enjoyed attending an SDS parasport festival last year. 

The parasport experience offers more than physical activity and sport to young people. It can be life changing as they also meet other children with similar impairments, make new friends and learn new skills which increases their confidence, self-esteem. 

Prior to registering please ensure you check eligibility for your young person here and when registering ensure the registration is in the child’s name. 

Please use this link to watch our ‘Get Involved’ video go find out a bit more or contact SDS on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130.  

     

 

Dave Clarke Appointed New Chief Executive of British Paralympic Association

 

A record-breaking Paralympian has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association.

Dave Clarke will succeed Mike Sharrock who steps down at the end of February after more than four years at the helm.

Clarke represented his country 144 times in blind football scoring a record 128 goals in the process. He competed for ParalympicsGB at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games and also in Goalball at Atlanta 1996.

He was a torchbearer at the London 2012 opening ceremony, passing it to Margaret Maughan, Britain’s first ever Paralympic gold medal winner, who then lit the Paralympic Cauldron.

As well as his sporting prowess, Clarke will bring the benefit of a highly successful career in banking spanning 24 years before he turned his attention to the charitable sector at the Royal National Institute of Blind People where he was most recently Chief Operating Officer producing transformational change in the organisation.

He said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, an organisation that is close to my heart.  It is an honour to join at such an exciting time, as we build momentum towards Paris 2024 and strive to deliver greater social impact to challenge perceptions and break down barriers for all disabled people in the UK.

“My experience as a Paralympian has shown me the unique power sport can have to change attitudes and to boost physical and mental wellbeing for everybody.”

Clarke has also been an integral member of the BPA, having served two terms as Chair of the Athletes’ Commission, and for six years on the board, including being the current Vice-chair.

Nick Webborn, Chair of the BPA, said: “Dave brings a superb range of experience in sport, business and the charitable sector to the British Paralympic Association as we aspire to have even greater impact not only in continued excellence during Summer and Winter Paralympics Games but also on wider society.

“He knows the organisation so well and will hit the ground running. It is also a clear statement of intent from the BPA to lead from the front in inclusion and diversity, with disabled people appointed to leadership positions on merit.

“I would also like to thank Mike Sharrock for his tireless work as CEO as he has steered the organisation through some of the most challenging times in its history with the Covid-19 impacted Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. He has left us well placed to continue to inspire a better world for disabled people.”

As Vice-chair Clarke was integral to developing the BPA’s ambitious 10-year strategic plan, Championing Change, and now has the opportunity to lead its delivery. The strategy sets out two key priorities: 

Best Prepared Team: Over the next ten years we will ensure that the UK continues to be a world leader in Paralympic sport. 

Social Impact: To harness the positive power of ParalympicsGB athletes to inspire social change focusing on public attitudes, improving the lived experience for disabled people and to create an environment where all disabled people can thrive.

He will begin his new position at the BPA on 13 March 2023.

Scottish Disability Sport wishes each and everyone of you a Happy New Year

A good start to the year for Forbes Dunlop on his appointment as sportscotland’s Chief Executive Officer. SDS is delighted to extend its congratulations to Forbes.  Further information on the appointment can be found on sportscotland’s website 

 

 

The most impactful coaches across the UK were recognised and celebrated at the 25^th UK Coaching Awards ceremony held in Leeds on Tuesday, 6 December.

The awards – seen as the most prestigious within the coaching community – were created to recognise the remarkable contributions coaches make in providing high-quality coaching experiences, supporting people holistically on their journey through sport and physical activity, and promoting the physical and mental health of the nation.

From transforming lives and communities in the world of sport and physical activity, to blazing a trail for inclusion in all coaching environments, to celebrating the great coaching moments of the year in high performance sport, the coaching family was given a fitting celebration for their outstanding work.

The event recognised top coaches across the UK including the Lionesses’ Sarina Wiegman, British Cycling’s Simon Watt, and legendary UK Athletics coach Aston Moore for their invaluable contributions to the people and teams they coach, following a special year for major events and competitions, which included a home Commonwealth Games and Women’s European Championships.

From the initial list of finalists in each category, worthy winners have been chosen for each of the following awards:

Change a Life Award, supported by Sport England
Tony Kerr (paddlesports)

Community Coach of the Year – Adults, supported by Sport England
Jordan Bedford (multi-sport)

Community Coach of the Year – Children and Young People, supported by the Children’s Coaching Collaborative
Bob Mowlem (football)

High Performance Coach of the Year, supported by UK Sport
Simon Watts (cycling)

Online Coach of the Year
Beth Davidson (fencing)

Talent Development Coach of the Year
Peter Maliphant (orienteering)

Young Coach of the Year, supported by Reading Room
Lexie Williams (touch rugby / rugby union)

Coach Developer of the Year
Brogan Jones (multi-sport)

Coaching Podcast of the Year
Walking on Air (nordic walking)

Inclusive Coaching Award, supported by sportscotland
Worcester RFC Mixed Ability (rugby union)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Aston Moore (athletics)
• Jim Hunter (athletics)

Great Coaching Moment
Sarina Wiegman – England end 56 years of hurt with victory at Euro 2022

Coaching Chain 

• Peter Westbrook
• Jane Sixsmith MBE
• Tim Barlow
• Jerome Goudie
• Danny Kerry MBE
• Karen Brown MBE
• Craig Parnham
• David Ralph

Mussabini Medallists

• David Murdoch MBE – Curling
• Scott MacBain – Para Alpine Skiing

UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon said:

“What an honour it was to see so many inspirational coaches be recognised for their outstanding contributions to coaching.

“These coaches, and all our UK Coaching Awards finalists, don’t just support more people into physical activity and sport, they also change lives, tackle inequalities and help build communities. They also have an insatiable appetite to be the best versions of themselves in order to help their participants.

“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all our winners. For our 25th UK Coaching Awards, the bar was raised once again, and it is so important that we acknowledge and thank all coaches, at all levels and in all settings, as they work tirelessly to support more people mentally and physically through physical activity and sport.”

After the public voted for the Great Coaching Moment of the Year, it was the Lionesses’ Sarina Weigman who was crowned champion for ending England’s 56 years of hurt with victory at Euro 2022. Sarina said:

“I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award amongst other fantastic coaches, and I am very grateful for everyone who voted for me. I can’t say it enough, but all the credit goes to our group of players and staff.”

The coaches of Great Britain hockey player Laura Unsworth MBE won the 2022 Coaching Chain award. Laura paid tribute to the coaches who have played such an instrumental role on her journey to becoming the most decorated British hockey player of all time. In a special video tribute she praised each of the seven coaches individually, plus her mentor Jane Sixsmith MBE, before adding:

“My coaches helped me become the player I am today. So a massive thank you to each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award Jim Hunter, was honoured for his outstanding service to participants with disabilities, saying:

“I never imagined I would be part of the UK Coaching Awards process, and to be a winner of such a prestigious award is an incredible honour for me. Athletics and coaching has allowed me to travel across the UK, in Europe and beyond over the years. It is such a wonderful sport that allows anybody that wishes to take part, because it’s not just one sport, there are lots of ways for people to participate and we can ensure inclusivity with just a little thought and planning.”

Find out more about this year’s winners and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.

We are delighted to mark International Day of People with Disabilities 2022 by launching the new Be Active Be Well campaign.

Be Active Be Well aims to encourage people with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being more physically active, in a way that suits them. It will help provide people with the advice and support they need to find new opportunities for getting active.

The campaign is being run in partnership by Scottish Disability Sport, The Daily Mile, scottishathletics, SAMH, Paths for All, GOGA Tayside and sportscotland.

All these organisations will work together to promote the benefits that being physically active offers for the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people with disabilities. The campaign builds on the success of the previous, award-winning Be Active Be Well programme run by SDS and SAMH, which ran between 2020 and 2021, providing online activity and wellbeing sessions. This time around, we are delighted to be supporting and encouraging people into a wider range of activities, including in-person sessions.

At the heart of the campaign is personalised support for people with disabilities and/or those that support them, provided by Scottish Disability Sport. They will get to know the person’s interests, aspirations and abilities and can liaise with providers of sport and physical activity around Scotland, to help find the right opportunity to get active.

We can help people access a whole range of activities, not only those represented by the partners in the campaign.

We want to hear from you!

• Want to get in touch? Contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

We can also offer support and advice to activity providers who want to make their sessions or facilities more accessible.

Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, has given the campaign his backing. He said: “I passionately believe that physical activity is for everyone and I’m committed to creating opportunities to enable this. We should all feel included, and able to take part and access the benefits of being active.

“The Be Active Be Well campaign highlights opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity, providing positive experiences and opportunities for more people to be more active, more often.”

Athlete Kayleigh Haggo, who holds multiple world records at Frame Running, said: “Physical activity and sport are fun and have been positively life changing for me. There are activities to suit everyone, so give it a go, there will be an activity near you which you can try. Be Active Be Well.”

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SportExcel UK is revealed as the new name and brand for the UK Sports Association. Marking a milestone in the charities history and evolution, this is the first significant name change since its inception in 1980.

The work to refresh and refocus the organisations priorities and modernise its brand began early 2022, with consultation with some athletes from across the UK and from a variety of sports.  Achieving a dynamic, credible and modern brand was at the forefront of athlete feedback, whilst being representative of athletes and having a very clear performance and British focus was key.

Paralympic medallist (athletics shot put), Sabrina Fortune said “I am proud to support SportExcel UK. My words to describe this new brand are artistic, inspiring and professional.”

Chris Bradley, 2022 Champion, Virtus Para Dressage said “I am excited to be part of SportExcel UK because I love my sport and SportExcel UK is helping me to achieve my dreams. The new brand is positive, exciting and inspiring. Thank you SportExcel UK!”

British international table tennis player, and Athlete Ambassador, Adam Thompson said “I’m excited to be part of the SportExcel UK launch. The work they do is unbelievable for people with learning disabilities, and they also help me get my voice heard.”

“Enable, Excellence and a disability sport identity was an important part of considering how to re-brand as this came through strongly from the athletes involved” said Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive SportExcel UK.

McCillen continues “Athletes wanted the brand to be their voice, showcase their achievements for Britain, but also have a strong and modern feel.  With their help, I think we have achieved this. I’m really excited to see what the future holds for athletes with SportExcel UK as we continue to enable excellence in disability sport”

Genevieve Gordon-Thomson, Chair, SportExcel UK said ‘The purpose of rebranding for any organisation can be expressed simply as a facelift for that organisation, a refresh or whole new identity.  For us, it means much more than that.”

Gordon-Thomson continues “We have a new logo with our important identity of red, white and blue remaining and the inclusion of an all-new strap line stating with clarity the work of the organisation. Sport Excel UK, through the rebrand process, now demonstrates clearly and with ease, the real purpose of the organisation.”

SportExcel UK is the new name for the UK Sports Association. Sport Excel UK is the only national disability sports and umbrella body in the UK for sport and people with learning disability, down syndrome and autism focusing on elite and high performance sport.

SportExcel UK promotes, supports and facilitates talented sports people in the UK to train, compete and excel in national and international sport. SportExcel UK is the only official Great Britain member of Virtus (formerly Inas), is a member of the British Paralympic Association and is the body responsible for the management of the eligibility and classification system across the UK. SportExcel UK manages GB Teams to Virtus events and provides a voice for athletes with intellectual impairment in sport.

A number of British para swimming short course records fell at the British Para Swimming Winter National Meet 2022, at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow last weekend. The meet provided valuable winter short course competition for the para swimmers. A total of 726 races across 23 mixed classification events took place over Saturday and Sunday.

Among the British Records to fall was City of Glasgow Swim Team’s Louis Lawlor in the 50m freestyle (S14) – 23.65.

Scottish Records to fall on the first day of competition included:

Abby Kane S13, 50m Freestyle (29.51)

Abby Kane S13, 100m Freestyle (1:04.42)

Jack Milne S14, 50m Butterfly (27.60)

Laura Pilkington SB5, 50m Breaststroke (56.81)

Laura Pilkington SB5, 100m Breaststroke (2:02.09)

Louis Lawlor S14, 100m Freestyle (52.71)

Merryn Binnie SB6, 100m Breaststroke (2:26.20)

Ollie Carter S10, 50m Freestyle (25.69)

Ollie Carter S10, 100m Freestyle (55.21)

Ollie Carter S10, 50m Butterfly (27.62)

Tegan Davidson S5, 50m Freestyle (41.56)

Tegan Davidson S5, 100m Freestyle (1:35.22)

 

Scottish Records broken on Day 2 of the Meet included:

Ollie Carter (S10) 400m freestyle (4:14.10)

Toni Shaw (S9) 400m freestyle (4:39.42)

Louis Lawlor (S14) 100m butterfly (59.41)

Paul Wilson, Disability Performance Development Manager, Scottish Swimming, said of the performances,

“There are not many competitive short course racing opportunities in the para swimming calendar, so this event has been a great platform for the athletes to put down markers against their peers early on in the season.

“I’m very encouraged by the commitment to racing by both young and experienced athletes and I’m looking forward to seeing them push these performances on into the New Year, and for some, onto the World Championships Trials in March.”

If you or anyone you know has a disability and would like to get learn to swim or compete in swimming, please contact us on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Following a remarkable 40 years of dedicated volunteering, and a coaching career that has seen him work from the grassroots to international competitions, Perth’s Jim Hunter has been announced as the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award ahead of the UK Coaching Awards 2022.

Working across Scottish Athletics, Scottish Disability Sport, and his club Perth Strathtay Harriers, Jim has been the driving force behind the development and success of the club’s Inclusion group for young people and adults with disabilities and additional support needs, alongside his role as an advisor for Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport. The announcement comes ahead of the 25th annual UK Coaching Awards, a momentous event where coaches nationwide are recognised for their incredible contribution in transforming the lives and communities across their sport.

Jim competed for his club before transitioning into coaching four decades ago, and has been club president for 10 years. Beyond his work with his local club, he is also a UK Special Olympics Team Coach, a founding Trustee of the ‘Physical’ Sports charity, raising money to help youth sport in Perth and Kinross, and works closely with Perth Autism Support, the Blind Society, SHIP (Support, Help & Integration in Perthshire) and Perth & Kinross Disability Sport.

At the UK Coaching Awards, Jim is to be recognised for his outstanding service to participants with disabilities – reflecting on his award, and an incredible career in coaching, he said:

“I never imagined I would be part of the UK Coaching Awards process, and to be a winner of such a prestigious award is an incredible honour for me. Athletics and coaching has allowed me to travel across the UK, in Europe and beyond over the years. It is such a wonderful sport that allows anybody that wishes to take part, because it’s not just one sport, there are lots of ways for people to participate and we can ensure inclusivity with just a little thought and planning.

“I think that Perth Strathay Harriers have always been a very open and welcoming club. We might need to prepare the support mechanisms, but that’s a normal approach to coaching, communicating with your athlete and supporting them best you can. I’ve been fortunate to work with athletes up to national and international level.

“What is clear to me is the psychological benefits, seeing the smile that they’ve achieved, whatever that little thing might be to begin with. It doesn’t need to be winning a medal, it might just be standing up out of their wheelchair for the very first time. I’m very proud to encourage as many people as possible to support people to be active, and I have enjoyed my experience as a coach immensely.”

UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon praised Jim and each of the exceptional finalists where winners are yet to be announced, reflecting on the huge variety of coaching talent for this year’s awards:

“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Jim on his fantastic work over many years as an outstanding coach. For our 25th UK Coaching Awards, this year the bar has been raised once again, and Aston is a worthy representative of the coaching workforce who continue to show how the power of coaching changes lives and communities.

“It is so important that we acknowledge and thank all coaches, at all levels and in all settings, as they work tirelessly to support more people mentally and physically through physical activity and sport to help build communities, tackle inequalities and inspire people to be the best they can be, whatever their aspirations.”

Find out more about this year’s finalists and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.