Applications for the British Blind Sport Youth Advisory Panel are now open!

BBS are looking for up to 12 young people aged 16 – 25 with a visual impairment (VI) to form this exciting new sports panel.

The Youth Advisory Panel (or YAP) will act as a voice for young people with a VI to become more involved in sport in the UK. The panel members will support BBS with policy and project development and advise on issues relating to young people with a VI in sport and physical activity.

As this project develops, BBS are hoping that the YAP will also be able to advise and influence a range of sports organisations on how they can best support VI volunteers and participants, contributing to the inclusivity and accessibility of the sport sector nationwide.

This will be a fantastic opportunity for young people with a VI to truly be heard and have a positive and long lasting impact on the wider sporting community.

The opportunity will also provide the panel members with a great insight into the sport and sight loss sectors, helping them to build relationships with key players and organisations as well as giving them invaluable industry experience.

The YAP will be expected to meet up to 6 times a year (in person, if it is possible with the current pandemic) alongside virtual catch up meetings and a few hours dedicated each month, as needed, for project work. The frequency of the virtual catch up meetings will be decided by the panel at their first meeting.

Applications for the YAP will close on October 16^th and applicants will then be shortlisted and invited to a selection day on Saturday 7^th November. The selection day will consist of team building work and some set tasks which will be similar to what is expected of panel members should be they become part of the YAP.  This day is likely to be held virtually, depending on the current climate.

The first YAP meeting will take place on Tuesday 24^th November, virtually.

Kian Saville, See My Voice Support Assistant, said, “We’re really excited to be getting the Youth Advisory Panel off the ground! It seems like a natural off-shoot from our See My Voice programme, which helps to upskill young people with a VI with leadership skills and experience within the sporting sector. Taking the insights that young people have gained through their involvement in volunteering or being involved in the sport sector will help us understand the areas that still need to become more inclusive and what we can do to kick start real change.”

All information on the application process, including the Application Pack and Application Form, can be found on the webpage (these documents are also attached). Please click here to visit the BBS Youth Advisory Panel webpage.

For questions about the Youth Advisory Panel or the application process, please contact Tommy@britishblindsport.org.uk or Kian@britishblindsport.org.uk.

• Popstar Rick Astley to front single to celebrate Unsung Hero awards 2020 and raise funds for BBC Children in Need
• He will be joined by the Unsung Hero winners from 2019 and a host of sports stars will lend their support
• New for 2020, the Captain Tom: Young Unsung Hero award will also honour one young volunteer
• Awards to champion those who have made a big difference in their community through sport during Covid 19
• To nominate your Unsung Hero and Young Unsung Hero, simply visit bbc.co.uk/unsunghero

Music legend Rick Astley will front single, Every One of Us, to celebrate the Unsung Hero awards for 2020.

The 2019 regional winners of the Unsung Hero award, Captain Tom Moore and a host of sporting stars including Ben Stokes, Geraint Thomas and Dame Jessica Ennis Hill also lend their support to the campaign and there are a number of special cameos in the music video.

Olympic and Paralympic stars Tanni Grey-Thompson, Will Bailey, Kare Adenegan, Ellie and Beckie Downie, Sam Quek and Ellie Simmonds also appear in the video to show off their dancing and singing, along with Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Gareth Thomas. Raising funds for BBC Children in Need*, the single will be the anthem for the awards in a year where keeping community spirits high has never been more important.

Rick Astley said: “When I was asked to launch a single in honour of Unsung Hero and to raise money for BBC Children in Need I didn’t hesitate. Both are brilliant causes and I hope the song can bring a bit of joy and solidarity during what has been a strange and unprecedented year.”

Alongside the single launch on the 22^nd September, nominations for the Unsung Hero 2020 awards will open from 6am.

This year will see a new addition, as the Captain Tom: Young Unsung Hero award will be up for grabs for one young volunteer, who like the main award nominees has made a big difference in their local community through sport during Covid 19. The Young Unsung Hero award will be named after Captain Tom in honour of his heroic efforts raising a whopping £38.9million for the NHS while walking laps of his garden in the run up to his 100^th birthday.

The young winner will be selected from nominations across the UK and must be under 15 to be eligible.

Both awards will see finalists from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and each of the 12 English regions. Four nominees from the English Regions will join the national winners to form a top seven before the winner will be announced in December alongside the Young Unsung Hero.

The Unsung Hero awards will be supported by Made by Sport, a charity that champions the power of sport to change lives and to shine a light on the thousands of organisations successfully using sport to tackle major social issues.

The awards have also teamed up with BBC Local Radio’s Make a Difference campaign to shout about those who are helping their community during Covid 19. Launched by BBC Local Radio in March of this year, all 39 stations have been inviting listeners to highlight the stories of people making a positive difference in their area.

Keiren Thompson took home the Unsung Hero award in 2019. Keiren runs the community project ‘Helping Kids Achieve’ in Bulwell in Nottingham, one of the most deprived areas in the city. After being badly beaten in an attack and hospitalised as a teenager, he was inspired to make a change and help stop youngsters getting into similar situations.

Director of Sport, Barbara Slater said: “Unsung Hero is about honouring the people who show up rain or shine to inspire people to take part in grassroots sports and make a real difference in their local area. During what has been a very difficult year, 2020 will feel extra special as we recognise those volunteers who helped keep their community going.”

The single will be available to download on all streaming and download services from 22 September. All net profits will go to BBC Children in Need*.

To nominate your Unsung Hero and Young Unsung Hero by video, audio, online webform or via email, simply visit www.bbc.co.uk/unsunghero. Entries close on Sunday 25^th October at midnight.

After the success of the first cohort of the Young Persons Sport Panel (YPSP), Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to announce the recruitment of a second Young Persons Sport Panel. The new panel is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and will be made up of 14 young people aged 16 and 22 who come with a huge amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and experiences to help shape the future of disability sport in Scotland. The SDS Young Persons Sport Panel was established in late 2015 with 12 members who have made a massive contribution to disability sport over the last 4 years.

“The Young Persons Sports Panel is an important group within Scottish Disability Sport. It allows the voice of young people with a disability to be heard and influence planning and delivery of all aspects of the associations work. I thank the outgoing members of the panel for all their hard work and look forward to working closely with the new panel members moving forward” – Gavin Macleod, SDS CEO.

SDS are really pleased that the 14 new members are coming from 10 out of 13 of the SDS Member branch areas which will allow the young person’s voice to be heard locally as well as nationally.

The YPSP members are:

• Thomas Boers (Grampian)
• Neil Ferguson (Lothian)
• Hayden Keir (Dumfries and Galloway)
• Samantha Louise Gough (Lothian)
• Maria Lyle (Lothian)
• Murran MacKay (Angus)
• Rory McKinna (Ayrshire)
• Laura Pilkington (Lothian)
• Fiona Rogers (South Lanarkshire)
• Caitlyn Ross (continuing on, Forth Valley)
• Callum Sloan (continuing on, Fife)
• Craig Smith (Glasgow)
• Cadyn Thomson (Perth and Kinross)
• Matthew Wynne (East Renfrewshire)

A huge thank you must go to Ross Foley (Lothian), Hope Gordon (Highland), Mitchell Graham (Forth Valley), Alan Gray (Lothian), Stefan Hoggan – Radu (Fife), Danielle Joyce (Ayrshire), Gemma Lumsdaine (Dundee), Colette Martin (South Lanarkshire), Lewis McConnell (Glasgow), Caitlyn Ross (Forth Valley), Callum Sloan (Fife), Shelby Watson (Dumfries & Galloway) for all of their contributions on the YPSP. The group helped to shape the SDS Strategic plan 2017-21 and also contributed to the development of the new plan beyond 2021. As well this the youngsters have influenced key partners on inclusive practice, gained continuous professional development and numerous qualifications and gained experience volunteering at many SDS Events. Some of the previous panel will now transition into becoming mentors for the new group and support with the programming of the YPSP.

Previous Panel member Gemma Lumsdaine shared her thoughts: “I have really enjoyed being part of the SDS Young Persons Sport Panel over the last five years. We have made real progress as a group in terms of creating more opportunities for young people with a disability to engage more in sport. Being involved in the panel has also helped us to grow as individuals with many of us now working in the sport sector. The new panel is full of passionate and proactive young people, I can’t wait to see what they manage to achieve over the next few years.”

For more information on the SDS Young Persons Sport Panel please contact Jennifer Barsby at jennifer.barsby@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Shuttlemark

On 16th July 2020 Lothian Disability Badminton Club (LDBC) became the first club to achieve the Shuttlemark Award in the Lothian Group area. LDBC is the 20th club in Scotland to sign up to Badminton Scotland’s accreditation scheme.

Carolyn Young, Convenor of the Lothian group is delighted about the achievements of LDBC: “Congratulations to Lothian Disability Badminton Club for achieving their Bronze and Silver status. Definitely a role model for clubs in the East of Scotland. Wouldn’t it be great to have all our clubs follow the lead of LDBC to achieve at least one of the Shuttlemark accreditations. I would encourage our clubs in Lothian to consider joining this scheme and take advantage of the help on offer and ultimately benefit from the rewards that will come with it.”

Badminton Scotland’s Shuttlemark Scheme was set up to help support clubs to develop and strengthen their infrastructure, plan for the future and in turn, increase capacity and grow. Badminton Scotland believes Clubs are key in providing quality opportunities for communities across Scotland to both participate & progress in badminton and believe this warrants recognition.

The Lothian Disability Badminton Club was established on 19th February 2008 and has experienced continued growth and development since then. Currently, the club has 21 members with a mix of ability, age and disability.

The club welcomes both the social and competitive players of all ages. Some members enjoy the social side of playing while others have achieved considerable success representing Scotland at international events all over the world including Colin Leslie, Fiona Christie, Bobby Laing and Mary Wilson.

Lyndon Williams (Chair of BS Disability Working Group, BWF Para-Badminton & Disability Tutor, former Welsh Internationalist & key member of LDBC): “This is an excellent initiative from Badminton Scotland and something the club was very keen to get involved in. A good benchmark for the club and ensures we set standards and hopefully maintain them before moving on and trying for Gold. We are always learning as a club and have benefited from this process, understanding where we had gaps and where we needed to strengthen our delivery. We have enjoyed many years of success at the club and now need to push on and make sure we give even more disabled players an opportunity to get involved with our great sport.”

Colin Leslie LDBC Chair & Lead Coach: “Badminton Scotland’s Shuttlemark has encouraged and inspired LDBC to look at its delivery and standards as well as its responsibilities towards its members. Achieving both Bronze and Silver has been a big boost and we are keen to continue to develop our opportunities and quality of offer to our membership and workforce.”

Lena Robertson from the City of Glasgow Badminton Club talks about their experience with the Shuttlemark programme: “Shuttlemark helped us focus on direct areas of importance and priority. Timescales are a good way of keeping the club focused and on track.  We appreciate Badminton Scotland’s support with the process and found it very helpful that we were and are able to contact our local RDO for further support and direction. Our committee has clearly defined roles and everyone is aware of roles which helped in order to have people in positions and going forward.”

David Gillespie from Glasgow Disability Badminton Club said: “Positive feedback includes a pop-up banner, which has allowed us to promote our club at events and thereby, increasing our profile. The majority of the needed documents were in place already before becoming accredited but it is useful for clubs who do not have it in place. Shuttlemark helped map out who is responsible for roles –eg  GDPR…., and prompted volunteers to undertake new roles. We are keen to try increase provision for those with physical disabilities.”

Both clubs welcome those new to the sport as well as experienced players, providing the necessary opportunities to learn new skills and improve on existing ones in a relaxed and supportive environment. Qualified and experienced coaches are present at both clubs together with volunteer helpers.

SIDC (Shuttlemark Disability Inclusive Charter)

LDBC is the first club to sign up to Badminton Scotland’s Shuttlemark Inclusive Disability Charter (SIDC).

Badminton Scotland believe people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability should be able to participate in badminton.

The aim of Badminton Scotland’s SIDC is to support people with a disability by increasing provision and making opportunities available to access badminton at a local club. In addition, the aim is to support clubs to allow them to provide and deliver inclusive badminton activity. Providing accessible and inclusive opportunities to play badminton locally is key and we are keen to ensure clubs are part of this.

All clubs who have achieved Shuttlemark accreditation will be offered the opportunity to sign up to SIDC which is a bolt on to the scheme.

Ross Foley, player and long serving member of LDBC said: “It is important that LDBC are an inclusive and welcoming club to make sure that we encourage all people who have a disability to come and join in our sport.” “Our aim is to break down barriers and allow people with a disability to access clubs and to encourage more to sign up to Badminton Scotland’s Inclusive charter. We want people with a disability to access clubs with no barriers or obstacles on their way to achieving greatness.”

Colin Leslie Chair & Lead Coach: “Following on from Shuttlemark we were really keen to sign up to Badminton Scotland’s Inclusive Charter, refocusing our goal of providing the best service to all those with a disability. We hope to inspire other clubs to do the same.”

Within the next few weeks Glasgow Disability Badminton Club will also sign up to the SIDC and Badminton Scotland hope that other clubs will see the benefit of providing opportunities to all members of the badminton community.

To find out more information on Shuttlemark and the SIDC and how to apply please click here.

You can also contact Euan Murray at rdowest@badmintonscotland.org.uk, or Jane Russell on jane@badmintonscotland.org.uk

 

UK Coaching Week 2020 ran from the 14-20 September 2020. The awareness campaign – which empowers athletes, coaches and the public to celebrate great coaching –  centres on the need to ‘Support Your Coach’ and more information can be found on the UK Coaching website here.

Why?

Coaches have been absolute heroes keeping us active, connected and motivated both before the coronavirus pandemic and during the period of isolation and disruption caused by the lockdown.

If you missed the webinars you can watch recordings of topics such as:

• Coaching Adults (Great Coaching Behaviours)
• Coaching Teenagers
• Coaching the 9-11 Age Group: Understanding the Whole Child
• Coaching the 5-8s
• The New Season Ahead
• How to Adapt Coaching for Mixed Ability Groups
• Using Games to Ignite Learning and Motivation

and more: https://ukcoaching.org/resources/topics/search?query=curious%20coaches%27%20club&type=recorded-webinar&order=recent

SDS wishes to share some great coaching opportunities and recognise coaches during #CoachingWeek.

---

UKCoaching is offering some great opportunities, to view more click here.

• discounted selected online classrooms until the end of September, including ‘Coaching Children’ and ‘Understanding Unconscious Bias’. This means you can take part in these live, engaging and interactive online classrooms for £20 (usually £30). Don’t miss out!
• Instagram Live: Learn from Some Greats of Coaching

This weekend join us for Instagram Lives with:

Judy Murray  – Friday 18 September,  6pm

Mel Marshall  – Saturday 19 September,  9:30am

Toni Minichiello  – Sunday 20 September,  10:30am

---

A brand new series of online learning for the boccia community commencing later this month. This schedule of CPD initially runs from September to March, and aims to support learning and development.The content themes range from coaching, officiating, classification, boccia equipment, athlete experiences and more. All sessions are packaged as 60-90 minute online interactive workshops and there is no cost to attend To view the full list of sessions and to book online, click here.

---

Wednesday, 12 November 2020 7- 8pm
Classification in Disability Swimming

This online workshop, delivered by Paul Wilson, Disability Performance Manager at Scottish Swimming will:

• introduce participants to disability swimming classification.
• reference classification systems used at Scottish, uk and international level for swimming,
• address swimming classification processes and procedures.

To book click here.

---

Celebrating Coaches during #CoachingWeek

SDS is delighted to be able to thank some great coaches during #UKCoachingWeek who provide so many opportunities and are staying connected with participants in different and creative ways during the phased return to sport. Coaches contribute so much to making sport happen at a local, regional and national level and today, SDS would like to spotlight one such coach – Peter McGuire….

Peter began his sporting journey as a player back in 2005, when he played his first game of boccia and fell in love with the sport. He reached the pinnacle of his playing career when he represented UK at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Two years later he began his coaching pathway when he achieved his UKCC level 1 and started to support Jenny Nethery, as a coach with the West of Scotland club. Peter has continued to increase his coaching opportunities, and before the Covid 19 pandemic, Peter was coaching 5 times a week at a range of boccia sessions and clubs to different ages and ability levels from recreational players to ones on the talent development programme. He relishes the variety and challenges presented by players of different ages and stages and in 2020, he was appointed as a coach to the Scottish National Boccia squad, moving him one step closer to his dream of coaching at a Paralympics.

In 2016, Peter successfully gained his UKCC level 2 Boccia qualification and he continues to develop and evolve as a coach by attending ongoing learning opportunities for example the SGBs L2+ course, workshops, coaching conferences and in April 2019 he gained a place on the UK Boccia Coach Advance Programme.

Not only does Peter coach, but as a volunteer, he is Chair of the Glasgow Gladiators sports club providing wheelchair users sporting opportunities in powerchair football and boccia. He also is a committee member of South Lanarkshire Disability Sport branch and when he has a spare moment he is an active member of the Scottish Power Football Association committee.

Peter is a truly remarkable volunteer and provides so many enriching sports opportunities for many people. Thank you, Peter and all the coaches who work so tirelessly to make sport happen.

Running in the British Milers’ Meet at the Trafford Stadium this evening Owen Miller ran 3:53.98 for a personal best by 2.4 seconds.

This is an incredible performance by the Fife Athletic Club athlete and former pupil of Woodmill HS.

Owen finished second in the event on the night but we reckon that this is the fastest ever time recorded by a British T20 athlete. Owen is reaping the rewards of remaining fully committed to his training programme set by coach Steve Doig of Fife Athletic Club during lockdown.

Owen has a superb family support team behind him and he has to thank his devoted Gran and Grandpa for getting him to Manchester in time for his event.

Unbelievable performance and well done Owen.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

The UK Boccia Workforce Development Group are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new series of online learning, commencing later this month. This schedule of CPD initially runs from September to March, and is open to all members of the boccia community to support their learning and development.

The content themes range from coaching, officiating, classification, boccia equipment, athlete experiences and more. All sessions are packaged as 60-90 minute online interactive workshops.  The sessions have been funded by the UK home nations and therefore completely free to attend, but places are limited so book early to avoid disappoint.

To view the full list of sessions and to book online, click here.

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid showed why they are the world’s top ranked men’s doubles partnership on Saturday’s penultimate day of he US Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition, as they claimed an unprecedented fourth title together in New York. Meanwhile, fellow Brit Andy Lapthorne also secured his fourth successive quad doubles title.

With players on the LTA’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme having won four titles at Flushing Meadows in 2019, Hewett and Jordanne Whiley will now aim to help equal that record when they contest Sunday’s men’s singles and women’s doubles finals, respectively.

Also the reigning Australian Open champions, Hewett and Reid took their tally of Grand Slam men’s doubles titles together to eight after beating French second seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer 6-4, 6-1. Reid, who stretched his own personal tally of US Open doubles titles to five after partnering Houdet to win the 2015 title, said:

“It means a lot to both of us. I’ve not lost a doubles match here since 2014, so it’s amazing to have that record. At Wimbledon and Roland Garros last year we were pretty disappointed with the results and made a big effort with the team at the LTA to make sure we turned things around and improved. I think we can really take pride in our results since then.”

After winning the first two games but then dropping the next three, Hewett and Reid got the better of the early momentum swings and attacked Houdet’s serve in the 10th game, the Frenchman producing a double fault to give the Brits three set points.

The Brits only needed the first as Hewett made the most of the ball hitting the net cord and presenting him with the option of a cross court forehand winner, which he put away with pinpoint accuracy.

The defending champions grew in stature to take the first five games of the second set and two games later they were presented with their first match point. Hewett made short work of the opportunity as he feigned an overhead smash at the net and calmly put away a delicate drop shot to wrap up a dominant performance. With Hewett and Reid winning the first ever wheelchair tennis final to be staged on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Hewett said:

“I think there are always going to be patches when you’re not playing your best tennis and there were a couple of games in that first set when I was getting a bit frustrated, but then we took control of the match and played the style we wanted to and in the second set our level definitely went up.

“It’s pretty spectacular to be on Arthur Ashe for a final on a Saturday at midday. That doesn’t come around often, so you’ve got to make the most of it.”

 Hewett, who plays on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Sunday as he faces world No.1 Shingo Kunieda of Japan in a bid to win his third US Open men’s singles title in a row, added:

“It really means a lot to us as players, for all the work we’ve put in off court and the training with our teams. To perform so consistently well at this tournament, you just have to embrace that. I’m sure Gordon will be sipping some champagne later, but I’ll be on the recovery drinks in preparation for tomorrow. Mentally I’m in a really good place, my confidence is at the highest that it’s been for a while and I’m sure it will be a great final.”

Like Hewett, Lapthorne ended the 2019 US Open as a singles and doubles champion. However, he had to recover from a below par singles performance on Saturday before partnering Australian Dylan Alcott to the quad doubles title.

Lapthorne and Alcott, the inaugural Wimbledon quad doubles champions in 2019 before winning their first US Open title together 12 months ago, had to come from behind before retaining their crown with a 3-6, 6-4, (10-8) victory over Dutchman Sam Schroder and David Wagner of the USA.

Schroder and Wagner gained momentum midway through the opening set to take the lead. However, Lapthorne and Alcott opened up a 3-0 second-set lead and although they missed chances to convert game points that would have given them a 5-1 lead, Lapthorne ultimately scrambled a drop shot over the net on set point to force a deciding match tie-break.

After a series of tense exchanges, Lapthorne and Alcott earned three match points and they needed all three before Alcott wrapped up their successful title defence with an ace.

Despite making it four US Open doubles crowns in a row, having won the 2017 and 2018 titles partnering Wagner, world No.2 Lapthorne still rued his singles performance against Schroder earlier in the day, which saw the Dutchman win their pivotal round-robin match 6-2, 6-1 to earn his place in Sunday’s final. However, Lapthorne conceded that the doubles final had produced an entertaining match. He said:

“I think today you saw some of the best quad doubles that you could wish to see. It’s been a tough week. I expected more, to be honest. I feel that the only player that beats me is me. It didn’t go my way today and I’m not happy with the way I played, but it’s not the end of my world. I go home with another doubles title and get ready to go again in another few weeks at Roland Garros.”

For news and updates from the wheelchair tennis draws and the fortunes of the Brits at the US Open, follow on Twitter @the_LTA and @WChairTennisGB.

To find out more about the LTA’s work with disability tennis, head to www.lta.org.uk/play or email disabilitytennis@lta.org.uk.

Photo courtesy of the LTA

Marking 1000 days to go Virtus has announced that the sixth Global Games will be held in Vichy, France, 4-10th June 2023.

Federation Francaise du Sport Adapte FFSA, the French member of Virtus was awarded the quadrennial multi-sport event.

The Virtus Global Games 2023 is the pinnacle of sports achievement for thousands of high performance, elite athletes with intellectual impairment in multiple sports from across the world.  It also provides a pathway for some athletes in athletics, swimming and table tennis the opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The Virtus Global Games in France will be the sixth event.  Over 1000 athletes are expected to compete in 10 sports.  The Global Games takes place every 4 years in the year preceding the Paralympic Games.  

British athletes will compete at the Virtus Global Games, through the management and selection process established by the UK Sports Association and its Partners.  UKSA is the only recognised UK member of Virtus.

For more information please click here.