Category: Latest News

16/12/2024

Job Opportunity: Head of Business Operations at Scottish Rowing

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Scottish Rowing are looking for a Head of Business Operations.

Closing Date: 5th January 2025
Salary: £40,000 – £43,000 FTE (subject to experience)
Contract Type: Part-time (0.6 FTE)
Permanent Location: Hybrid (Office based at Scottish Rowing Centre, 366 Hamilton Road, Strathclyde Park, Motherwell, ML1 3ED)

Application Pack: available here.

About Scottish Rowing
Scottish Rowing is the Governing Body for rowing in Scotland. Our vision is a successful and thriving rowing community and our mission is to support and empower people in Scotland to enjoy rowing and achieve their potential.

Since 2022, Scottish Rowing has gone through an exciting period of significant change with the introduction of a new Olympic discipline, the expansion of the performance programme and a specific focus on extending the reach of the sport into non-traditional rowing communities.
We are about to undertake our next strategic review – setting the direction for Scottish Rowing for 2026-29 and beyond – and are seeking a Head of Business Operations to join the Senior Leadership Team and lead on key matters of organisational health and with the aim to improve
business effectiveness.

Scottish Rowing currently employs a team of 13 staff with the organisation based at the Scottish Rowing Centre – its own dedicated training facility and office space at Strathclyde Country Park, near Motherwell. The Head of Business Operations will be responsible to the Chief Executive Officer and will oversee the business operations of the organisation including governance and compliance, support for the CEO, Chair and Board, office management including HR, membership systems, corporate planning and reporting, and risk management.

As this is a new role within the organisation, we are looking for an individual with experience in setting up business systems and processes with a strong focus on efficiency and a passion for continuous improvement. This will be a unique and exciting opportunity to help shape
the future of one of Scotland’s leading Olympic sports.

16/12/2024

“It was a year where dreams came true.”

2024 – a year in sport, for Claire Morrison.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

What a year 2024 has been for Claire Morrison, a current board member of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and performance coach with Boccia UK. Claire attended the Paris 2024 Paralympics, helping Paralympics GB reach new heights on the boccia court.

However, the year started off with uncertainty, with Paralympic qualification looming over athletes and coaches: “The year started off with a focus on trying to qualify the BC4 pair (Stephen McGuire and Fiona Muirhead)”, Claire explained.

Things were looking good when Kayleigh Brown achieved her lifelong dream and qualified for the Paralympics. However, this news was followed quickly by a disappointing result where the BC4 partnership of Stephen and Fiona didn’t manage to qualify as a pair. Meaning Claire’s and the coaching team’s plans had changed. “When the pair didn’t qualify the focus shifted to Stephen trying to qualify as an individual.”

For Stephen, things were still looking turbulent as his only option of going to Paris was via a bipartite slot; the first time that World Boccia had done this.

On July 1st, Stephen found out that both he and fellow Scot, Patrick Wilson (BC3), received bipartite slots. To mark a fourth Games for Stephen.

“I was absolutely delighted, because he was sitting 3rd in the world rankings at the time, having won one world cup, having come second in another and won a Challenger in the season so far. It was one of those ones where you thought, there should be no reason why he doesn’t get a slot, based on his form that year, his position in the rankings and overcoming injury.”

The Paris Paralympics started on August 28th, and Stephen was continuing his form, nicely working his way through the pool stages to advance to the quarterfinals. “The quarter final was going to be one of his biggest tests as he was probably going to be facing a Paralympic medallist and he just absolutely blew him away. Stephen just went out on court and played one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play”, reflected Claire.

Next up was Stephen’s semifinal and despite a shaky end to the game, he found himself proceeding through to the BC4 Paralympic final. On the morning of the final Claire said: “I remember saying to him, ‘whatever happens today, it is going to be a good day. You’re going to get your Paralympic medal’ ”, said Claire.

In the final Stephen took the first end 3-0, against Colombia’s Edilson Chica Chica. The Colombian fought back in the second end drawing level (3-3). Stephen remained calm and bounced back, dominating the third end with five points (8-3). The Colombian had to pull something special out of the bag to leapfrog into the lead. However, Stephen only allowed him to score two points, resulting in Stephen claiming the title, 8-5.

The win for Stephen was a 20 yearlong dream coming true. “It was amazing, it gives me goosebumps now even just thinking about it. All that work, all that perseverance has come together. To be in that moment with him was unreal”, Claire said.

What made the moment extra special was that Stephen’s brother, former Paralympian Peter McGuire, was commentating on the BC4 final with Channel 4.

“At the time, I thought to myself that once that day was finished, that’s my tears done. Then I heard Peter’s commentary piece and that just set me off again”, said Claire.

At the same time, Kayleigh was making strides at her first Paralympics. Claire took the time to reflect on Kayleigh’s debut Games.

“That first game that Kayleigh played, where she went out there and became the Paralympian that she always wanted to be, in some ways for me that was as big as Stephen winning the gold medal.”

Claire continued to say: “She narrowly lost her first game but the way she held herself, the way she embraced that environment was fantastic.”

Kayleigh put in a fantastic shift, to make it to the quarterfinals but Gischa Zayana (INA) put an end to her individual Paralympic campaign, taking the game 8-2.

For Claire to be selected to represent ParalympicsGB as part of the coaching staff is always special. “It is such an honor, I’ve always loved sports and I loved the Olympics but as soon as I got involved with disability sport and SDS, the Paralympics became such a big part of my life, as a spectator and now as a coach.”

“Even now when I go to something like a training camp it means so much when I put my GB kit on, I have to pinch myself.”

For Claire it has been an amazing year. “We hear so much about the power of sport and that has played out so much throughout my life, there is such a sense of pride.”

Now coming to the end of 2024, it is moving into award season and Claire picked up Coach Of The Year at the SDS, Scottish Women In Sport and Sportscotland award ceremonies.

“Again, that is something that I am proud of. Being in the spotlight isn’t something that sits naturally comfortably with me. It has been amazing to get the Scottish Disability Sport Coach of the Year Award and now the Scottish Women in Sport award, purely because you know that I know that the athletes really value what I have done.”

However, for Claire these awards mean a lot more than personal recognition: “It is really important as you know, being in different environments – whether it’s being a women in sport or being involved in Parasport – these are amazing experiences and opportunities for everybody. If I get a bit of recognition, it’s not really about me, it’s about boccia and it’s about Parasports.”

Reflecting on the year, Claire remarks: “It was a year where dreams came true. I know that sounds cheesy, but in a sentence that’s what it was and it’s truly remarkable.”

If you have enjoyed hearing about Claire’s journey throughout 2024 and would like to get involved as a coach, participant, official or volunteer, please contact your Regional Development Manager or contact SDS by email: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call: 0131 317 1130.

Make sure to stay uptodate on all opportunities throughout Scotland, by following Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website.

10/12/2024

Bookings Open for Series 2 – Curling 360° – Inclusive Try Curling Sessions

Scottish Curling is excited to announce that bookings are now open for “Series 2 – Curling 360° – Inclusive Try Curling sessions”.

Series 2 brings new venues and sessions— wheelchair-specific, inclusive sessions, and one specifically for those with visual impairments!

These sessions are designed for those who have yet to experience curling on ice or are very newcomers to the sport and would like to give it a try.

To book a session, please head to www.trycurling.com and get a space ASAP.

Spaces are limited, and bookings will close two days before each event.

More information is available from Rhiannon Butterfield, Disability and Inclusion Development Officer, by calling 07756 555028 or emailing rhiannon@scottishcurling.org.

Image of a poster advertising inclusive curling sessions in Scotland.

The poster lists four events:
• An inclusive session open to all disabilities in Kinross on January 14th, 2025.
• A wheelchair curling session in Stirling on January 15th, 2025.
• An inclusive session open to all disabilities in Aviemore on January 26th, 2025.
• A wheelchair curling session in Hamilton on January 27th, 2025.
The poster also includes contact information for Rhiannon Butterfield, the event organiser, and a QR code that can be scanned to book a space at the events.

09/12/2024

From Mentees to Mentors, the Young Start Effect.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

The latest cohort has just been accepted onto the Young Start programme. This time around the programme is experiencing a first, with two former mentees becoming mentors.

One mentee-turned-mentor is Laura Pilkington. Laura joined the programme back in 2018 and is excited to get started.

“The last few years I think I’ve developed into more leadership skills and roles, and I really wanted to give something back. I just wanted to use my skills and my experiences to support someone else and give back in that sense.”

This desire to give back and share experiences is something that mentee-turned-mentor, Gemma Lumsdaine, agrees with: “I am hoping that through my own experience that I have developed through a number of things within my career and also my lived experience and understanding will help support young people.”

The Young Start programme is a year-long opportunity that helps young individuals aged between 16 – 24 with physical, learning and sensory disabilities throughout Scotland, to develop their confidence and coaching skills. The Young Start programme will help mentees gain a coaching qualification or equivalent CPD. The young people will have a mentor that will support them throughout the experience. For Laura, who was at university at the time, this was one of her highlights.

“I had quite low confidence, so I was doing this course and I didn’t think I was able to do it. So being able to speak to my mentee about things and get that support with what I was learning was really good.”

Along with gaining access to and working through a coaching qualification, the year provided lots more for Laura and Gemma.

“I thought the experience was great and for me the skills that I learnt and particularly the workshops are things I’ve used to this day”, said gemma.

“They have been fundamental in helping me get to where I am career wise.”

Laura agreed with this, explaining: “I know the qualification is one of the big things with the programme, but I think the soft skills that you get throughout it, like confidence, communication, leadership skills and meeting other people with a disability is one of the main things about the programme.”

For many people the programme has helped progress and find a new passion or career.

“The programme gave me so much and if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have got involved with so many things. I think that it was really the steppingstone to getting me so involved in disability sport”, shared Laura.

For Laura, the programme also helped her in many other ways. “Near the end when I was on the Young Start, I actually left Aberdeen and university and I moved home and that is when I transferred (Universities). I was struggling quite a lot when I was in Aberdeen and having a programme like the Young Start to do and have that purpose and to feel like I was contributing to something was good.”

The available opportunities through the programme for young disabled individuals in sport, is what Gemma views as being key, with it being reported that 2% of the qualified coaching workforce has a disability.

“I think the programme is so important. We know the statistics around the lack of representation around the sports workforce and so programmes like this are a massive enabler”, said Gemma.

“It’s so important to have people with lived experience at the forefront, particularly when looking at mentorship.”

The mentors play such an important role in the year. This is why Gemma is keen to progress on with her mentee: “I’ve known mine for a very long time, they are involved in the sports group I go to. I think it will be good because although I’ve known them for a long time, we will find out new things about each other and we will push each other to learn.”

Although Laura doesn’t know her mentee from before, she is looking forward to helping them throughout their journey.

“For me, it’s developing that relationship and trying to find out what their goals are and how I can support them to get towards that.”

Laura views the year as not only being an opportunity for the mentees to learn but for the mentors to find out new knowledge. Laura said: “I think that working with the other mentors and learning from them will be really beneficial.”

09/12/2024

Boccia Squad Selections 2025

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for the sport of Boccia in Scotland and is tasked with developing players capable of domestic and international success. We are also responsible for progressing the best Scottish talent to a UK Boccia World Class Programme where players represent Great Britain at European, World and Paralympic level. In order to achieve this, a competitive national squad is a vital element.

10 players have been selected for the Scottish Boccia Squad for 2025. 9 players have been reselected with Perth and Kinross player Alex Medley joining the squad for the first time. We are delighted to retain coaches Claire Morrison, Jenny Nethery and 3 Coaching Futures coaches Peter McGuire, Scott McGuire and Jamie McGuire. Coaching Futures is a programme supported by sportscotland to help transition athletes into coaching.

Please see the squad selection below:

Players
Name	Classification	Local Authority
Kayleigh Brown	BC2	South Ayrshire
Alex Medley	BC2	Perth and Kinross
Lewis McConnell	BC2	City of Glasgow
Ross MacNeil	BC3	North Lanarkshire
Patrick Wilson	BC3	City of Edinburgh
Stephen McGuire	BC4	South Lanarkshire
Paul McIntyre	BC4	Forth Valley
Scott McIntyre	BC4	Forth Valley
Tyler McLelland	BC4	Fife
Fiona Muirhead	BC4	South Lanarkshire
Stewart MacNeil	Ramp Assistant	North Lanarkshire
Meredith Greenwood	Ramp Assistant	City of London

Coaches
Name	Local Authority
Claire Morrison	Fife
Jenny Nethery	Renfrewshire
Jamie McCowan	South Ayrshire
Scott McCowan	South Ayrshire
Peter McGuire	South Lanarkshire

30/11/2024

Gemma Lumsdaine on High Performance and Active Representation

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

For Gemma Lumsdaine performing at the highest level has always been a goal. That is what made it even more special when she got a phone call from her coach to let her know that she was going to be part of the Great Britain Women’s Wheelchair Rugby team.

“I was crying down the phone to the coach, just so much happiness about the whole thing and obviously pride as well. I’ve always wanted to represent Great Britain since I’ve been very young, it’s always been a goal of mine.”

Gemma found out that she would be representing Great Britain in wheelchair rugby at the Women’s Cup three weeks ago. This was the second time that she would be representing the home nations after she contributed to the team winning the same tournament last year, which will provide a further bit of pressure for the team. With the clock ticking down to the tournament kicking off in early December, Gemma has been hearing lots from family and friends.

“Yeah, everyone has been really excited around me, you know when you’re an athlete it’s not just you that is getting selected or goes through the highs and lows, it’s your family, your friends, your coaching team, we just experience everything together. I think they are just really excited for me to get out there and be with the women and retain our title from last year hopefully.” Gemma explained.

She is equally as excited and proud to be there and represent Scotland, saying: “It’s just me, I am the only Scot in the team, so I am flying the flag, everyone else is English so I am flying the flag for the Celts.”

With wheelchair rugby being a predominantly mixed gender sport there isn’t always the same opportunities to provide young disabled women with active representation. This is something that Gemma is really excited for.

“I’m also really passionate about getting women and girls into sport, especially disabled women and the intersectionality of it. I think it’s really important and special in many ways”, s said.

Having this representation is something that Gemma is really passionate about and something that she views as being paramount: “Of course it’s about you know, pushing yourself and achieving my goals, but it’s bigger than that, it’s about actually showing young disabled women who are struggling with their identity or not sure if they are sporty, not sure of what they can achieve with their disability, but showing they can.”

Over the coming years Gemma is keen to continue along the performance pathway. “Ultimately my goal is and has been to compete at the highest level, for example the Paralympics is the highest level, equally there is the Worlds and Europeans (championships), and that is a longer-term goal that I am setting my sights on.”

“It’s a long journey, these things don’t come over night, there are setbacks and highs and lows, it’s working towards being the best athlete I can be.”

If you have enjoyed hearing Gemma’s story and are keen to find out what sporting opportunities are available near to you, so you can start on your own journey in disability sport, contact your Regional Development Manager. SDS would like to wish Gemma the very best of luck in France.

29/11/2024

Blog: Layla McCloskey – Studying Boccia at School

A few months ago, the SQA published new guidance outlining the steps schools and colleges can take to help make its National Physical Education qualifications more accessible to learners with physical disabilities.

Working with Scottish Disability Sport, SQA has updated the list of activities young people can be assessed in as part of their PE qualifications at National 3 through to Advanced Higher level.

For the 2024-25 school year, learners can have their performance assessed in Paralympic sports such as Boccia, Goalball, and other wheelchair, powerchair, and parasports activities, which can then contribute towards their final grade.

One such pupil who hopes to achieve a Higher with boccia, is Barrhead High School student, Layla McCloskey.

Layla will be writing a blog to share her experience and document this journey.

BLOG: LAYLA MCCLOSKEY

Hello My name is Layla McCloskey, and I go to Barrhead High School just outside Glasgow

I am studying Boccia and Frame running as part of my PE. I am working towards a national 5.

I think it is brilliant that Boccia and Frame Running are part of the curriculum as it gives me and other young people an opportunity to be included in sports. To participate in two sports that I love and will hopefully gain qualifications for my future.

I have been able to introduce a sport to my peers that I am very passionate about. Already another pupil has taken up Boccia as part of their SQA exams and will give other pupils in the
future to take a sport that is so inclusive.

I would hopefully like to coach Boccia in the future and introduce the sport to many other schools.

It’s great to be able to achieve a qualification within my learning environment

For more information about the SQA update, visit here.

29/11/2024

The Motability Scheme Making the Power of Sport and Boccia Possible

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

For Avril Starmore, moving to Shetland was a decision based on being closer to family. Then, she found boccia. She had no idea the impact boccia would have on her life.

Avril moved to Shetland from Dunfermline. This move wasn’t always plain sailing though, the lack of public transport and the rural nature of the island presented difficulties when trying to get out and into the community.

Avril was a Motability Scheme user, which proved to be an essential part when finding her love for boccia and the wider Shetland community.

“The car helps me get to boccia clubs, there is a ramp built in that I go up with my wheelchair then I can transfer onto the driver’s seat. If I didn’t have that I wouldn’t be able to get out.” Avril explained.

She went on to say, “If I didn’t have a Motability car there is no way I would get out into the community and clubs.”

Avril found out about boccia through Ability Shetland: “I came to Shetland three and a half years ago, I started going to a few of Ability Shetland’s clubs and I started volunteering with them just over a year ago.”

Now that Avril has been involved with boccia and dedicating her time to the sport she has decided to progress forward with her coaching.

“I’ve recently done the boccia leaders course and now I am learning to become a boccia coach”, she said.

This has led to Avril being a key member of the Ability Shetland delivery and volunteer team. “I’ve been going out to show boccia at various schools, day centres and clubs.”

Avril still uses many of Ability Shetland’s clubs. “I still go every Friday night to play, and then I go out through the week to deliver.”

Avril really enjoys being part of a team, but more so she loves getting to introduce people to the sport of boccia. “The way their faces light up when they manage to do something”, is her favorite thing about volunteering.

Making sessions fun and entertaining is something that Avril tries to always put at the forefront of her deliveries. “They keep thinking that I’m glueing the balls to the cones throughout the sessions, to challenge them to knock them off, they keep saying, ‘you’ve glued them on’, but I haven’t.” She joked.

Now Avril wants as many people to gain the benefits of boccia. “It’s about getting the word out about boccia. Up here a lot of people hadn’t heard about it until a short while ago, I know that I hadn’t heard of it until I moved here”, she said. This is a task she views as being possible.

“Last year we went to Dundee to play, there were loads of players and clubs down there it was great.”

This love and commitment that Avril has shown towards the sport of boccia throughout Shetland has led to her being nominated for an Eric Liddell Award. She went on to win the award for her dedication to the sport which has seen her deliver to over 100 school pupils in the last year alone. The enthusiasm she has for the sport is known to be contagious, and sure to be a contributing factor in many more people taking up the sport.

If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Manager at:

jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

If you would like to try volunteering, please contact your Regional Development Manager.

26/11/2024

Stepping Out & Be Active Physical Activity Officer: Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS)

Stepping Out & Be Active Physical Activity Officer: Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS)

Responsible to: FVDS Chairperson / FVDS Coordinator
Location: Hybrid (Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling sessions) and 1:1 location with FVDS Coordinator
Role: Part-time (18 hours – includes evening and weekend work)
Term: Initial 12-month contract with a view to extension to 36 months
Initial Salary: £12.60 per hour (£11,793.60 per annum) + pension contribution

Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS) is a charity where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport and physical activity for people with physical, sensory and learning disability in partnership with key local agencies in the three local authority areas of Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire. FVDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

We are recruiting for an exceptional individual who will join us as Physical Activity Officer, assisting us to deliver the strategic vision for the charity. This will involve working closely with the FVDS Coordinator to coordinate the delivery and evaluation of projects designed to improve physical engagement levels of young people and adults with a disability across Forth Valley. This is a two-part funded role with key performance indicators:

Stepping Out – Increasing opportunities for physical activity for young people ages 8-24. A large part of this programme is focused on transition from school and continuing to support and offer opportunities to be active (10 hours per week funded by The National Lottery Community Fund – Young Start)

Be Active – Increasing opportunities for physical activity for adults ages 16+ (8.0 hours per week)

If you have proven experience in the coordination and delivery of physical activity initiatives in an inclusive environment, are highly motivated to increase engagement and participation, and want to change people’s lives; then we’d love to hear from you.

Your priorities will include:
Coordinating and promoting existing physical activity sessions and identifying new opportunities
Leading face-to-face physical activities
Coordination of volunteers
Supporting events and other activities organised by FVDS and partner organisations
Work with partner organisations to develop relationships and grow opportunities
Other duties, as required, to support the FVDS Coordinator
Personal Profile
You will be passionate, enthusiastic and have a drive to improve the lives of others through physical activity. You will understand the barriers faced by young people and adults with a disability looking to be more physically active and be sensitive to the challenges they face.

Skills and Personal Qualities

A natural communicator who can work with a variety of target audiences
Can adapt quickly to the needs of individuals
Exceptional organisational, planning and administrative skills
Proficient in using various social media platforms
Ability to lead, influence, enthuse and motivate others
Experience and Qualifications – Essential
Excellent communication skills, adaptability, approachability and the ability to engage with people
A relevant coaching qualification with experience in the following areas:
Working with young people and adults with disabilities
The creation and delivery of physical activity and sport specific programmes
Working with volunteers
Understanding of child and vulnerable adult protection issues
Experience in using Microsoft 365 and its associated office products
As this role involves travel across Forth Valley transporting equipment, access to own transport and appropriate insurance is required
Experience and Qualifications – Desirable
First Aid Qualification
Cycling Ride Leader Qualification
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, the successful candidate will be required to join the PVG scheme prior to confirmation of employment.
For more information, or to have an informal chat before applying, please contact:

Nicola Moriarty

Forth Valley Disability Sport Coordinator

Email coordinator@fvds.org.uk

Tel 07484 010 633

Core working days Tue-Thu

Applications
Please send an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining why you are perfect for the role to:

Forbes Maginnis

Chairperson

Forth Valley Disability Sport

chairperson@fvds.org.uk

Closing date is Friday 6th December 2024

18/11/2024

Two Scottish Champions Crowned and a Silver Medal at the UK Boccia Championships

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

Sunday the 17th of November saw the UK Boccia Championships conclude. The final day of the tournament had some fantastic boccia on display, with 39 players representing Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland battling it out for medals.

The seven strong Scottish squad featured in the BC2, BC3 and BC4 tournaments. Here is how they got on, on Sunday.

Paul McIntyre (Forth Valley) took on Penny Froude in the BC4 playoff. After a closely fought match Penny came out victorious, defeating Paul 3 -2. Paul returned later on in the day in the 5th/6th place play off against fellow Scot, Tyler McLelland. It was an extremely close match, going to a tiebreak. Paul went on to win the tie break seeing him finish in 5th place overall (4-4)

Tyler McLelland (Fife) kicked off his final day taking on Louis Saunders in the BC4 playoff. Narrowly losing 3-2, Tyler ended up finishing in 6th place in the BC4 after a hard fought match in the playoff.

The day continued on for the McIntyre brothers with Scott taking on Jayne Milligan in the BC4 7th/8th place playoff. Unfortunately, Scott lost 7-8 in a close game, the Forth Valley boccia player will be returning home with an 8th place in the BC4.

Alex Medley from Perth and Kinross won his final match of the week, 6 – 4 to see him cap off his championship with a 7th place finish in the BC2.

Ayrshire’s Kayleigh Brown (nee Haggo) won her first match of the day against James Clowes (7-1) to advance through to the BC2 final, against Reshad Saraj.

It was an intense final with the last ball deciding the medals. Reshad took the gold with Kayleigh settling for silver.

Fellow Paris 2024 Paralympians – Patrick Wilson and Stephen McGuire – put on a cracking show in the BC3 and BC4 finals.

After success in the semifinal (beating Sally Kidson 4-3), Paddy faced William Arnott in the BC3 final. As expected, it was a closely contested game but the Scot put in a stellar performance to bag his second UK Championship title of his career.

After a 10 – 1 win over Penny Froude, Stephen faced Sophie Newnham in his final. Sophie made the Paralympic champion work hard in the BC4 final which proved to be yet another, very close and riveting face-off which came down to the last balls of play. A bit of luck was on Stephen’s side as he took the title, 3-2.

Many thanks to all the athletes, assistants, coaches, officials, volunteers that made the Championships such a huge success.

SDS would also like to say a huge thank you to all the event sponsors: Associated Seafoods Ltd, BioMar Ltd, Blackadders LLP, Blacks Haulage Solutions Ltd, Cefetra Ltd, Glenarm Organic Salmon, Inverlussa Marine Services, Loch Duart Ltd, LCL Shipping Ltd and Mowi Scotland. Without you, the UK Boccia Championships would not have been possible.

If you missed the championships or would be interested in catching up on some of the action, you can watch the livestream from court three: day one and day two.