Scottish Target Shooting is pleased to announce that applications for the 2021-22 Performance Programme will be opening on Sunday 1st August 2021.

We are keen to make sure that no one misses out on this opportunity so please remember:

• Applications are open to non-STS members (although STS membership must be taken out if accepted on to the programme);

• Our programme is fully inclusive so we welcome applications from all athletes, including para athletes; and

• We are also considering applications for Talent Transfer from athletes currently competing in non-Olympic/Paralympic disciplines or events so if you are a talented athlete in a non-ISSF discipline, we still want to hear from you.

Athletes interested in being part of the programme and feel they meet the requirements (available from the Getting Selected page, link provided below), should complete the application form, available here or from the ‘Getting Selected’ page on the STS website. Please be aware that applications will close just before midnight on Tuesday 31st August and late applications will not be accepted.

Full information is on the Scottish Target Shooting website here: http://www.scottishtargetshooting.co.uk/sts-news/2021/7/29/inspired-by-tokyo-read-how-to-apply-for-the-2021-22-sts-performance-programme

SDS is delighted to announce that we have achieved the Advanced Level of the Equality Standard for Sport.

The Equality Standard Framework for Sport is owned by the five Sports Councils through the Sports Councils Equality Group. The Equality Standard for Sport is a framework for assisting sports organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport and physical activity from under represented individuals, groups and communities across the nine Protected Characteristics.

It is based around two broad themes: developing your organisation; and developing your services. There are four levels of achievement, with Advanced being the top level to reach. SDS is only the 4th Scottish Governing Body to achieve this level.

SDS has been working towards the Advanced Level of the framework for the last three years. The three outcomes detailed below had to be met in order to reach this level.

• Outcome 1 – Your organisation has made significant progress towards diversity within board, staff (paid and unpaid), coaches, officials, members and participants
• Outcome 2 – Equality is mainstreamed through the organisation’s functions, policies and procedures
• Outcome 3 – Your organisation is developing further initiatives to address each protected characteristic

A huge thank you to everyone within SDS and to the member branches for the support in working towards the Advanced Level over the last three years. We look forward to continuing our equality journey and making sport as inclusive as possible for everyone.

For more information on the Equality Standard please see: Equality Standard for Sport (equalityinsport.org)

Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to launch our newest FREE e-learning activity for all our partners working across physical activity and sport, leisure, education and health.

Would you like to learn more about inclusive practice in physical activity and sport? This entry-level module is designed for everyone but will be particularly useful to those who are new to inclusive teaching and coaching, those who would like to become inclusive teachers or coaches, or those who would like to gain confidence in teaching or coaching inclusively.

The module should take approximately 60 minutes to complete and can be completed in stages rather than all at once if you prefer, and your progress will be saved.

There is no cost for this e-learning opportunity – all you need to do is register on our virtual learning environment, Brightspace, and work through the module at your own pace.

To access this training:

1. Visit Introduction to Inclusive Practice E-Module to register on the Brightspace virtual learning environment. Click on the link, enter your details and click Enrol on the Introduction to Inclusive Practice module (IIP).
2. If you have never used Brightspace before, choose New Learner where you can set up your account and this will take you to the start of your learning. Other governing bodies use this environment for courses including CWPS so you may already have joined. If so, click Already Registered and once you have enrolled the module will appear on your dashboard.

If you have any questions please contact admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com and we will help you through your registration.

Self help video:  Introduction to Inclusive Practice Instructional Video  and FAQ: https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/e-learning-faqs/

In keeping with the strategy across the British Curling programme, competition will intensify for places in the wheelchair teams that will uniquely target dual success this season as the squad begins to train with an English-based trio who were selected to form a transition group last year.

With both events taking place in Beijing – in October and March respectively – the World Wheelchair Curling Championships are set to take place in the same season as the Paralympics for the first time ever, which means that twin peaks have to be reached in terms of preparation and performance.

The scale of that challenge makes the timing ideal for the merger of the two groups of players who have had to work separately since Stephen McGarry, Stewart Pimblett and Norma Woods were chosen to form the transition squad after being given the chance to benefit from British Curling’s support.

Pimblett comes into the squad having already played at three World B Championships, representing England and described his selection to join the British Curling squad as “an absolute honour.”

“I have dreamt about this and whilst I used to enjoy wheelchair basketball, I never really fulfilled my potential and this sport has surpassed that and I hope to achieve everything I possibly can with Sheila and the rest of the squad,” he continued.

Paralympic Head Coach Sheila Swan is looking forward to their involvement being beneficial in the longer term, as well as for the immediate season ahead.

“It is an unusual situation to be in, but many things have been unprecedented in the past year or so and what our athletes have demonstrated is their ability to rise to challenges put in front of them,” she said.

“As a result, we are back on ice already and I am delighted that this time around we have been able to include the transition squad members for the first time in the National Curling Academy.”

British Curling’s Executive Performance Director Nigel Holl offered warm congratulations to the newcomers to the squad and said their arrival at the National Curling Academy helps send out the right signals in terms of the way the programme is developing.

“Part of our job is to find ways of widening access to ensure that we maximise our chances of being competitive at the highest level of the sport and while curling has traditionally been very Scottish-oriented within the UK, we are always keen to encourage the growth of our sport,” he said.

“The emergence of Stephen, Stewart and Norma through the Northern Ice Wheelchair Curling Club that has been a great success story in the north east of England, has been a welcome addition to the mix as we continue to expand the squad and prepare longer term for the Paralympics in Milano Cortina in 2026, as well as the coming season’s World Wheelchair Championships and Winter Paralympics.

“The way our wheelchair curlers have handled what has been an extremely challenging period in their careers over the past year has earned them enormous respect throughout the programme and we look forward to them going from strength to strength with this infusion of new talent.”

 Programme athletes for 2021-22: 

 British Curling Programme Squad:

Meggan Dawson-Farrell (Tullibody)

Gregor Ewan (Elgin)

Charlotte McKenna (Bridge of Allan)

David Melrose (Duns)

Hugh Nibloe (Stirling)

Gary Smith (Edinburgh)

British Curling Transition Squad: 

Stephen McGarry (Bedlington)

Stewart Pimblett (Seghill)

Norma Woods (Bedlington)

When Scottish Visually Impaired Footballer Neil Atkinson takes to the court this weekend in the English FA’s Disability Cup for his club Scorpions Futsal, he hopes that his participation will act as inspiration for other visually impaired Scottish footballers to take up the game.

The Livingston native takes part in his third FA Cup Final this weekend, defending the trophy he won with his club in 2019.

His success as a player has spurred him to work with the Scottish FA to create more opportunities for visually impaired footballers in Scotland. He has become an integral member of the recently formed Scottish Visual Impairment Football Network. The Network which aims to develop opportunities for individuals living with a visual impairment to play this adapted game format, was established in 2019. Having delivered two successful events in 2019, the Network is currently working to deliver a further events in 2021.

The Network includes representatives from the following organisations: Scottish FA, RNIB Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport, Rangers Charity Foundation, Stirling Albion Junior Academy and Dundee United Community Trust.

For more information on Visual Impairment Football opportunities, contact Laura.Anderson@Scottishfa.co.uk

Neil Atkinson: “As the only Scottish player in the Partially Sighted Futsal League I hope these events can highlight the opportunity there is for other visually impaired people in Scotland to play football, and ultimately help to grow participation north of the border.”

“I’m excited to be back on the court playing again competitively for the first time in over a year. The Cup is a great event and it’s really special to play at St. George’s Park.

“This is my third FA Cup Final, and this time we will be defending the trophy after our victory in 2019. It’s always a really exciting weekend and hopefully we can play well and repeat the success we achieved two years ago.”

Coverage of the Partially Sighted FA Disability Cup will be available on BT Sport from 2.45pm on Saturday, 17 July.

Article courtesy of the Scottish FA

Blind Golf Scotland, in partnership with EDGA, will be holding taster sessions for visually impaired people who would like to try blind golf.

Blind golf is a hugely popular sport across the globe with international tournaments, Opens, leagues and even just friendly matches at a local club with a friend.

It’s great for mental and  physical health as well as being a fun social activity. All you need is a sighted guide – and a little training.

Coatbridge: 30th July 2021

Stirling Golf Club: 2nd August 2021

For more information please contact: developmentofficer@scottishblindgolf.com

Glasgow Disability Sport and Scottish Disability Sport would like to invite participants with disabilities to take part in our Get into Summer Programme –  at Glasgow Club Kelvin Hall. The sports that we have on offer are:

• 3rd August with Athletics that will be led by Red Star Athletics Club
• 4th August with Basketball that will be led by City of Glasgow Basketball Club
• 5th August with Football that will be led by Glasgow Disability Sport coaches
• 6th August with Boccia that will be lead by Glasgow Disability Sport coaches

To take part in the programme participants MUST sign up to the event. Please do not turn up to the venue without confirming your attendance through our registration process. To book your place please click here.

There will be 15 spaces for each group for each day –  Physical, Sensory (visual & hearing) and Learning Disabilities.

The timings of the day will be:

• 10am- 12:30pm- Physical and Sensory Disabilities
• 1pm- 3:30pm- Learning Disabilities

This will be open for juniors aged 5-17 years old.

There will be equipment available on the day, however it would be helpful if you let us know if you already use equipment such as wheelchair, walking frame etc. This will help the organisers be prepared to give you the best experience possible. Also if you are supporting the participant during the session please let Nancy Peters and Andrew MacKenzie know on:

nancy.peters@glasgowdisabilitysport.org – 07714989708

andrew.mackenzie@scottishdisabilitysport.com – 07496306249

COVID restrictions will be applied at the event which will depend on the tier we will be in. Information about this will be sent out to you prior to the event on access to the venue and to follow the guidelines.

Get Into Summer- Flyer

ParalympicsGB today named the nine-strong Boccia squad set to compete at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games this summer, including three Scots – Stephen McGuire (BC4, Hamilton), Jamie McCowan (BC3, Dundonald) and Scott McCowan (BC3, Dundonald). Also included in the selections are the BC3 ramp assistants Linda McCowan and Gary McCowan (both of Dundonald).

Helen Nicholls, Boccia UK’s Performance Director, said: “The build up to this Paralympic Games has thrown our athletes and the support team so many challenges but they have responded with resilience and determination. In this squad, we have experienced, established athletes as well as three players who will be making their first-ever Paralympic appearance. With less than 50 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 Games, our preparations are on track and we’ll be ready to take on the world’s best boccia players.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, said: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome our boccia squad to the ParalympicsGB team bound for Tokyo in less than 50 days’ time. The squad boasts a superb mix of experienced Paralympians and Games debutants who I believe will make the nation proud with their performances in Japan this summer.

“All nine athletes have shown terrific strength and resolve since the start of the COVID pandemic last year and I look forward to seeing just what they can achieve on the boccia court at Tokyo 2020 this summer.”

A total of around 230 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Japan, with further names to be announced in the coming weeks. ParalympicsGB captured the imagination of the British public at London 2012 winning 120 medals in front of sell-out crowds with countless memorable performances.

The team eclipsed that performance at Rio 2016 winning an outstanding 147 medals including 64 golds to finish second in the overall medal table. The rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be staged from 24th August to 5th September.

Find out more about these exceptional athletes here by clicking on the profiles below:

Jamie McCowan

Scott McCowan

Stephen McGuire