Category: Latest News

Vacancy: Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside Activity Coordinator

Job advert: Activity Coordinator (20 hours per week)

Salary: £21,000 to £23,000 pro rata

Subject to Experience

Are you a dynamic and enthusiastic team player who has a passion for physical activity, health and inclusion?

SDS, in partnership with Spirit of 2012, The London Marathon Charitable Trust and NHS Tayside, is seeking to appoint a Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside Activity Coordinator to support disabled and non-disabled people to take part in fun and inclusive physical activity across Tayside.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively to develop and deliver physical activity opportunities, with the aim of encouraging more people to be more active together.

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate proven experience of working within a health and/or physical activity/community development/ sports environment and ideally with people who have complex health needs.

This post is initially offered until September 2023. It will involve hybrid working and significant travel will be required across the Tayside area. Secondment will be considered with agreement from current employer.

For a full job description, candidate specification and application form, see below.

For more information, please contact Iona McKay, GOGA Tayside Programme Manager at iona.mckay@nhs.scot or iona.mckay@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Closing date is 12 noon on Friday 23rd September 2022.

Interviews will take place on Monday 3rd October 2022 in Dundee.

West Open Disability Badminton Tournament

West of Scotland Disability Sports, Disability Sport Glasgow, Glasgow Disability Badminton Club, Glasgow & North Strathclyde Badminton Group, Badminton Scotland and Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to invite entries from across Scotland to the second West Open Disability Badminton Tournament.

This is a singles only competition and cost per player is £3-£5.  If time allows doubles games will be organised.  The tournament organisers have the right to amalgamate any sections depending on number of entries.

SCHEDULE:

Registration will open at 9.15am and the championships will begin at 10.00am sharp. The schedule and draw will depend on the number of entries and will be completed one week before the event. We aim to do a round robin format to ensure everyone gets multiple games before a knockout stage or final.

SECTIONS:

There will be four sections of the competition which are mixed gender and minimum age is 12.

A –          Open Class for Players who use a Wheelchair (WC)

B –          Open Class for Players with an ambulant Physical Disability (PD)

C –          Open Class for Players with a Learning and/or Sensory Disability (LD)

D –         Open Class for Short Stature Players (SS)

Full information can be found here: West Open Disability Badminton Tournament

Disability Sailing Open Day

When: 2nd October 2022, 10.00am – 3.00pm

Where: Bardowie Loch, Milngavie G62 6EX

  • Experience disability sailing in a fully accessible Hansa 303 dingy
  • Instructed free-sailing and optional afternoon racing
  • Wheelchair accessible facilities
  • Hoist available
  • Food available on the day

Please register interest at development@rya.org.uk.

The Countdown Continues! 365 Days Until the 2023 IBSA World Games

Today marks one year to go until the 2023 IBSA World Games. Following a successful joint bid to host the event from British Blind Sport, Birmingham City Council, Sport Birmingham, UK Sport and the University of Birmingham, the World Games is set to take place in venues across Birmingham and the wider region from 18th-27th August 2023. It is the largest high-level international event for blind and partially sighted athletes. Over 1,250 athletes will travel from across the world to compete in 11 different sports ranging from powerlifting, tennis and archery. Football (B1 men), goalball (men and women) and judo (men and women) events will also act as qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. This will be the first time the Games have been held in the UK.Almost 2 million people are living with sight loss in the UK. Of these, around 360,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. Hosting the Games in Birmingham provides a unique opportunity to showcase blind and partially sighted sports to a global audience and to encourage those with sight loss to take part in sport. It will also build on the city’s major events legacy following the success of the Commonwealth Games.British Blind Sport is the national disability sports organisation that represents blind and partially sighted people in sport and physical activity. As an organisation, we’re supporting the development of facilities for the event and regional legacy plans to help more people living with sight loss to participate in physical activity. We are confident that the 2023 World Games will accelerate our aspirations and contribute to our mission of empowering blind and partially sighted people to get active and enjoy sport, whether it is taking their first steps or securing talent pathways to encourage individuals to reach their full potential.Sallie Barker, Chair of British Blind Sport, said: “With just 365 days to go until the Games begin, British Blind Sport and the 2023 IBSA World Games organising committee have been working hard to ensure that the Games leave a lasting legacy. With world-class facilities in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, brilliant partners and passionate crowds, we look forward to giving the athletes and spectators a World Games to remember.”

Alaina MacGregor, Chief Executive Officer at British Blind Sport, said: “As Birmingham marks one year to go until the 2023 IBSA World Games, we’re committed to maximising the impact of the Games at a grassroots level. We will be working closely with our partners at local, national and international levels to deliver the event, build the capacity of communities to deliver inclusive opportunities and create a lasting legacy. Bringing such a diverse range of sports together promises to be a truly inspiring event.”The 2023 Games are forecasted to attract over 1,700 athletes and support staff, 136 international officials and 400 volunteers. For more information on the IBSA World Games, go to: https://www.ibsagames2023.co.uk/For more information on British Blind Sport, visit: https://britishblindsport.org.uk/

Disability Sport Glasgow Board Opportunities

Are you passionate about enabling disabled children and adults to have life changing sporting opportunities and experiences? If the answer is yes, let’s bring achievement, pride and joy to their lives – read on!

Disability Sport Glasgow (SCIO) known as DSG is a voluntary sport group where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key local agencies and local authority areas in Glasgow. DSG 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. DSG have achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) which ensures all governance is up to date and appropriate. The Board of DSG now wishes to appoint new Board members to join the branch.

GDS are now seeking to fill the positions of Board Member and Communications Board Member, full information below:

Kevin Wallace and Garry Brown, Neil Fachie OBE and Lewis Stewart

Most successful Commonwealth Games ever for Scottish Para Athletes 

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games came to a close last week with Scotland’s para athletes celebrating a fantastic haul of 12 medals won across 5 different sports. This total surpassed the 7 medals won at Glasgow 2014, making Birmingham 2022 Scotland’s most successful Games of all time from a para sport perspective.

31 para athletes were selected for Birmingham across seven sports, another all time record, making up 12% of Team Scotland. The 2022 Games were the most inclusive ever held with 46 medal events, meaning that Scottish athletes won 9% of all para sport medals.

Team Scotland took home an amazing 51 medal from the Games and the 12 medals won by para athletes accounted for 23.5% of this total. A real indication of the inclusive nature of Scottish sport and the commitment of Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport to ensuring equality of opportunity for performance athletes with disabilities.

SDS’s role in supporting the development of these athletes is also evident with 68% of the para athletes at Birmingham having been supported by SDS and its local Branches during their careers.

SDS would like to congratulate all 31 para athletes on their selection for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and would also wish to recognise the parents, coaches and support staff who have been such an import part of this success.

The breakdown of the statistics from Birmingham along with the full list of medal winners are as follows:

Statistics

Team Scotland was represented in 7 out of 8 para sports in Birmingham: athletics, basketball, cycling, lawn bowls, powerlifting, swimming and triathlon.

31 para athletes were selected to represent Team Scotland in Birmingham (12% of Team Scotland).

This was the largest number of para athletes competing for Team Scotland at a Commonwealth Games.

  • 58% of the para athletes on Team Scotland were female
  • 23% of the para team were blind or visually impaired
  • 26% of the para team used a wheelchair for sports
  • 32% of the para team were ambulant with a physical disability/li>

Birmingham 2022 was the most successful commonwealth Games for Scottish para athletes with 12 medals won.

Gold Silver Bronze Total
Glasgow 2014 3 3 1 7
Gold Coast 2018 2 1 0 3
Birmingham 2022 4 4 4 12

Team Scotland won a total of 51 medals in Birmingham with the Scottish para medals making up 23.5% of the total medal haul.

Gold Silver Bronze
Team Scotland Medals 13 11 27
Para Medals 4 4 4
Para % of Total 31% 36.5% 15%

The breakdown of medals by sport was as follows:

Sport Gold Silver Bronze
Athletics 0 1 1
Basketball 0 0 0
Cycling 1 2 1
Lawn Bowls 3 0 0
Powerlifting 0 0 1
Swimming 0 1 1
Triathlon 0 0 0

Medal Winners

Kevin Wallace & Garry Brown

  • Gold – Lawn Bowls Para Men’s Pairs B6/B8

Rosemary Lenton & Pauline Wilson

  • Gold – Lawn Bowls Para Women’s Pairs B6/B8

Robert Barr & Sarah Jane Ewing (Director) and Melanie Inness & George Miller (Director)

  • Gold – Lawn Bowls Para Mixed Pairs B2/B3

Neil Fachie OBE & Lewis Stewart (Pilot)

  • Gold – Para Track Cycling Men’s Tandem B – 1000m Time Trial
  • Silver – Para Track Cycling Men’s Tandem Sprint B

Aileen McGlynn OBE & Ellie Stone (Pilot)

  • Silver – Para Track Cycling Women’s Tandem Sprint B
  • Bronze – Para Track Cycling Women’s Tandem B – 1000m Time Trial

Stephen Clegg

  • Silver – Para Swimming Men’s 50m Freestyle

Sean Frame

  • Silver – Para Athletics Men’s Marathon T53/54

Samantha Kinghorn MBE

  • Bronze – Para Athletics Women’s 1500m T53/54

Toni Shaw

  • Bronze – Para Swimming Women’s 100m Freestyle S9

Micky Yule

  • Bronze – Para Powerlifting Men’s Heavyweight

SDS Athletes’ Athlete of the Year Award 2022

Nominations are now open for the Athletes’ Athlete of the Year Award which will be presented at the AGM on 25 September 2022.

Nominations will be accepted from Scottish para athletes actively involved in sport from club to international level. The performances of the individual between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 should be considered when submitting your vote and these have been listed on the nomination form.

The nomination form can be submitted here: SDS Athletes’ Athlete of the Year 2022

The closing date for nominations is 31 August 2022.

Have you been inspired by the Commonwealth Games?

Have you been inspired by the para athletes or the volunteers at the Commonwealth Games? Our team of regional managers can help you find the right opportunity to get active and get involved.

We believe sport and physical activity are for everyone – getting involved can be life changing for you.

Watch the video below to hear first-hand from participants with disabilities about how being active has improved their lives.

If you would like to find out where you can participate please contact Scottish Disability Sport on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130.


Would you like to get involved in disability sport as a volunteer?

Did you know:

  • 14,000 volunteers supported the Commonwealth Games
  • 25% of males and 28% of females volunteer across Scotland

Volunteers in disability sport are crucial to ensuring opportunities take place for participants with disabilities.

If you have been a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games – or have been inspired by them – we are here to find the right volunteering opportunity for you!

Our 14 SDS member branches and their clubs offer many and varied roles including assistant coaches,  coaches, committee member and occasional event volunteers. There is something for everyone that will suit you  and your availability.

Benefits of volunteering in disability sport:

  • Gain confidence: volunteering can help you gain confidence by trying something new and building a real sense of achievement.
  • Make a difference: volunteering can have a real, valuable positive affect on people, communities and society.
  • Meet people: volunteering helps you meet different kinds of people and make new friends.
  • Be part of a community: volunteering makes you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
  • Learn new skills: volunteering will help you learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications.
  • Take on a challenge: through volunteering you can challenge yourself to try something different, achieve personal goals, practice using your skills and discover hidden talents.
  • Have fun! Most volunteers have a great time, regardless of why they do it.

If you would like to find out more about the range of volunteering opportunities available across Scotland please contact Scottish Disability Sport on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or  0131 317 1130.

 

Discovery Games Return for 2022

Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to be supporting the return of the 2022 Discovery Games delivered in partnership by Dundee City Disability Sport (DCDS) and Leisure & Culture Dundee (LACD) held between Sunday 11 September and Sunday 25 September.

This will be the 23rd year of this fantastic multi-sport event, which gives opportunities to people of all ages with physical, sensory and learning disabilities compete against others from across Dundee, Tayside and beyond.

This year, events include:

  • 3 x 3 Wheelchair Basketball
  • Equestrian
  • Boccia
  • Carpet Bowls
  • Badminton
  • Powerchair Football

Entry fee is £5 per event. For entry forms and more information please contact darren.thomson@leisureandculturedundee.com or graeme.doig@scottishdisabilitysport.com


3×3 Wheelchair Basketball – 11th September, 10am-4pm at Dundee International Sports Complex, Mains Loan, Dundee, DD4 7AA

DCDS and LACD supported by basketballscotland and Dundee Dragons WSC are delighted to invite entries from across Scotland to Discovery Games first Wheelchair Basketball 3X3 Championships.

CLASSIFICATION/ELIGIBILITY

  • Athletes must have a classification ratified by basketballscotland
  • Classifications are permitted between 1.0 and 5.0
  • Maximum number of team points on court at any one time is 9.0

TEAMS

  • Teams will be grouped in ability level pools prior to the start of the tournament
  • Mixed gender teams are permitted.  When a female player is on court 1.0 will be added to the team classification allowance
  • Junior players over the age of 14 will play to their full classification
  • Players under the age of 14 will play in a junior 3X3 competition if there are enough teams entered

For any queries regarding the event please contact Tina Gordon – tina.gordon@basketball-scotland.com or Kevin Rattray –kevin.rattray@dundeedragons.net


Equestrian – 14th September, 10am-3pm at The Brae Riding for the Disabled, 1 Linlathen Grove, Dundee, DD3 5GL

Equestrian Event for riders with a Learning, Physical and/or Sensory Disability

  • All riders must be registered with an RDA organisation. All riders will be allowed to enter one category only.
  • Category 1 – Riders who require to walk with a leader/helper
  • Category 2 – Riders who can walk/trot (allowed leader/walker)
  • Category 3 – Riders without any assistance (allowed a caller)
  • The event will be run under RDA rules.

Entry forms to be returned directly to The Brae.


Boccia – Saturday 17 September, 10am start, Dundee International Sports Complex

There will be three sections of the competition:

  • A – Open Class Event for Players with a Physical Disability
  • B – Open Class Event for Players with a Learning Disability
  • C – Open Class for Players using Assistive Devices (Ramps)

Round Robin will be played in all sections ensuring players have a minimum of 3 games.

This event will be run under the BISFed 2021-2024 v2.0 rules on the day.

Entry forms to be returned to Darren Thomson.


Carpet Bowls – Saturday 17thSeptember, 10am Start, Douglas Sports Centre, Dundee

The competition is open to all bowlers with a physical, sensory and/or learning disability

  • Section 1 Totally Blind Bowlers
  • Section 2/3 Wheelchair Users
  • Section 4/5 Ambulant Bowlers + B3
  • Section 6/7 Ambulant Bowlers + B2
  • Section 8/9 Bowlers with a Learning Disability
  • Plus Junior Sections

Entry forms to be returned to Darren Thomson.


Badminton – Saturday 24th September – 10am – 4pm, Regional Performance Centre, Mains Loan, Dundee, DD4 9BX

Dundee City Disability Sport, in partnership with Leisure and Culture Dundee and supported by Badminton Scotland and Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to invite entries from across Scotland to Discovery Games first Badminton Championships.

There will be seven sections of the competition.

  • A – Open Class for Players who use a wheelchair.
  • B – Open Class for Players with an ambulant Physical Disability
  • C – Open Class for Junior Players with an ambulant Physical Disability (under 18 years)
  • D – Open Class for Players with a Learning Disability (please provide player rating) – Three Divisions
  • E – Open Class for Short Stature Players

Round robin matches will be played first to 21 with extended scoring to 30. Semi Final and Final will be 3 sets to 21 with extended scoring to 30.

Entry forms to be returned to darren.thomson@leisureandculturedundee.com


Powerchair Football. Sunday 25th September 2022 – 10am – 4pm, Regional Performance Centre, Mains Loan, Dundee, DD4 9BX

Dundee City Disability Sport, in partnership with Leisure and Culture Dundee and supported by Scottish Powerchair Football Association are delighted to invite entries from across Scotland to Discovery Games 2022 Powerchair football event.

Entry is available through Scottish Powerchair Football Association by contacting Craig Peattie, email: info@thespfa.org.


Please contact Graeme Doig – graeme.doig@scottishdisabilitysport.com for more info.