Understanding boccia and classification can be challenging, so we have created this resource to help partners identify individuals ‘who can play’ the sport both competitively and internationally.  This will hopefully breakdown barriers and improve participation rates within the sport in Scotland.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is promoting the hashtag #ScottishBoccia on social media to market the sport further.  Get involved!

If you have any questions regarding the sport or would like further information please contact the SDS office on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Boccia Who_Can_Play

A new tartan has been produced by Lachcarron of Scotland in celebration of 50 years of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) providing therapy through horses. The tartan was launched at an Anniversary event in Edinburgh by RDA President, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. The Princess met with volunteers and participants from around the country and was presented with her very own RDA tartan scarf by brothers Andrew and William McLeod.

In addition to launching the tartan, the event was an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of RDA in Scotland. There are 54 individual RDA groups in the country, supporting almost 3000 adults and children with physical and learning disabilities to benefit from horses. In her address to guests, The Princess thanked the volunteers – over 2,500 in Scotland – without whom RDA would not be possible. She acknowledged the whole team effort that it takes to help make such a real difference to people’s lives through riding and carriage driving.

Kim McCutcheon, Edinburgh and Borders Regional Chair for RDA, said “The tartan has been designed to incorporate the charity’s colours and it was lovely to launch it at a special celebration alongside our wonderful volunteers and participants. It would be fantastic to see the tartan worn across the whole of the UK and by purchasing a scarf you are helping to support another 50 years of therapy through horses.”

The event was kindly held at the People’s Postcode Lottery office in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. Clara Govier, managing director of People’s Postcode Lottery said ‘It has been a honour to support Riding for the Disabled in celebrating their fiftieth year here in Scotland, and see the launch of their new tartan. They are an incredible charity, working across Britain to improve the lives of thousands of people. They are hugely popular with the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and have received over £2.5 million in funding since 2013.’

Celebrations for RDA’s 50th anniversary are continuing throughout the year around the UK.

The 42nd Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) AGM and Awards presentations were held at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Monday 29th April. Over 80 athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and others attended.

The business of the AGM was led by Paul Noble MBE and the review of the year and presentation of awards coordinated by Richard Brickley MBE.

There were 25 award categories and 33 awards presented by Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, and Emma Thomas-Hancock, Director of Delivery at Volunteering Matters, plus Fife Paralympians.

Julie Hogg from Dunfermline received the Eddie Campbell Coach of the Year award for her commitment to the development of badminton for players with additional support needs in schools and in the community. Julie has inspired and developed the skills and abilities of learners in the west of Fife in particular.

Gayle Sloan from Dunfermline received the Ann Swann Emerging Coach of the Year award for her commitment to DSF weekly sessions in central and west Fife. Gayle is a Scottish Athletics Level 2 coach and has contributed significantly to the growth in interest in track and field across Fife in the past five years.

Kay Maxwell from Dunfermline received the Adam Morley Special Recognition Award for her commitment to swimming teaching and coaching at Carnegie Leisure Centre and for her regular support of Fife swim teams at national championships. Kay is standing down this year from her weekly coaching session after over 10 years of commitment to DSF learners.

Presenting the coaching awards are Gavin and Paralympian Craig Rodgie.

Carolyn Clunie from East Fife Community Support Services was awarded the ambassador of the year trophy for her commitment over many years to encouraging and supporting service users to become involved in active recreation and sport. Carolyn is a Charity Trustee of the new DSF (SCIO) and has been the team manager of the Fife Track and Field squad that has performed so well over so many years at the SDS Track and Field Championships at Grangemouth Stadium.

Carolyn is flanked by GB Paralympian Iain Matthew and Emma.

Pamela Robson from Burntisland and Balwearie HS was presented with the GOGA in Fife volunteer of the year award for her services to the Get Out Get Active programme in Fife supported by Spirit of 2012. Pamela is involved in many areas of a programme that attempts to encourage inactive individuals with additional support needs to become involved in active recreation inclusively.

Fife AC President Lesley Thirkell and Fife AC coach Ron Morrison were presented with the Olympiad Trophy as DSF member organisation of the year. DSF enjoys a very special relationship with the club. As well as supporting individual DSF athlete members, Fife AC volunteers are heavily involved in the delivery of the DSF cross country and track and field programmes.

In the photo Gavin is flanked by Lesley and Ron.

The Aileen Harper Trophy is presented to the Junior Sports Person of the year. Aileen was an exceptional Paralympian excelling in archery, track and field, wheelchair slalom and wheelchair dancing. This year’s outstanding junior is Connor Brown from Woodmill HS who excelled in the year past in cross country, karate, judo, football, swimming and rugby to name but a few of his sports.

Leo Cord from Balwearie HS was awarded to Penman family trophy as the top footballer of the year. Leo was top scorer in the 2019 DSF 7s tournament held at Kirkcaldy HS and led the Balwearie HS team from the front.

Junior Endeavour awards were presented to fours rising stars in junior sports and they are: Finlay Davidson (athletics and badminton); Skye Davidson (athletics, badminton and equestrian sports); Katie Pake (swimming); Calum Robertson (athletics, cross country and swimming).

Presenting the awards are Gavin, Emma plus Paralympians Iain Matthew and Paul Johnston.

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

The British Para Swimming International Meet took place at Tollcross International Swimming Pool from Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 April 2019.  The event is one of the most important on the calendar for our para swimmers and provided a qualification opportunity for the World Championships in London later this year. 

There were 32 Scottish athletes (29 based in Scotland, 3 Non-Residents who train in England) representing 21 clubs (18 Scottish & 3 English).   

The event saw three Scottish athletes post the qualification standards for the World Championships which will take place in London in September. 

• Stephen Clegg – S12 100m Butterfly 
• Toni Shaw – S9 100m Butterfly 
• Scott Quin – SB14 100m Breaststroke 

The Scottish swimmers were in fine form on home soil, and none more than Scott Quin (GBR/Warrender Baths Club), who set a World Record in his favoured 100m SB14 Breaststroke event, in the heats, with a time of 1:05.28.  Whilst he didn’t better that time in the final, he did secure gold in a time of 1:05.53.  

After the race, Quin stated: 

“I’m happy with the way I swam tonight. I’ll sit down later with Kostas (Kalitsis) and evaluate things. It was always going to be very hard to go what I went this morning which was a 65.2. The final was 65.5 and that’s the first time I’ve posted 65s twice long course. I wasn’t really expecting to go faster tonight. 

“I did feel more relaxed tonight, but I do want to go away and analyse a few things and see where I can control myself a bit better. But it’s still very consistent and I’m not going to criticise myself.  I’m also really happy I executed the things Kostas (coach) asked me to do. Normally my brain wonders a wee bit and I stray away from the race plan and Kostas has to pull me back from things I want to do. Overall it has been a very positive day and I feel I’ve nailed most of the target goals for this first part of the season.” 

Speaking about the World Para-Swimming World Championships in September, Quin finished by saying:

“I’m excited that the Worlds will be in London. The last major event there was London 2012 Paralympics and I just missed out on that.” 

Alison Peasgood picked up a gold medal at the Milan World Paratriathlon Series, in her first ever outing alongside paratriathlon guide, Nikki Bartlett.

A gruelling training schedule over the past couple of months has paid dividends as Peasgood posted one of her quickest runs.Having exited the water a few seconds clear of eventual PTVI silver medallist, Susanna Rodriguez, the 2016 World Champion continued to open the gap to finish over a minute clear of her Spanish rival.

For more information please see the British Triathlon website.

Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife Athletic Club has won silver in the T45/46 class at the IPC World Marathon Championships held as part of the 219 Virgin Money London Marathon.

As well as winning a World Championships silver medal, Derek has recorded a massive PB and run significantly under 2.30 for the first time.

Last year in London Derek ran 2:36:13 and before today had a personal best time of 2:33:24. This morning Derek ran an unbelievable 2:27:28 for a personal best performance by over 6 minutes.

Appropriate reward for an intense period of winter training under the guidance of Fife AC coach Ron Morrison and the team at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

For the record Derek’s race was won by Michael Roeger from Australia in 2:22:51. Third place went to Abdelhadi El Harti from Morocco. Brilliant performance Derek.

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

The Scottish National Cerebral Palsy Football team are currently preparing to compete travel in the 14^th International Trophy CP Football Ciutat de Barcelona organised by the Catalan Sports Federation of Cerebral Palsy (FECPC).

Scotland will face experienced international teams in Barcelona with Northern Ireland and Italy due to compete along with teams from Catalonia and CP United. The competition will run from the 6^th – 9^th June with matches being played at the CEM El Clot de la Mel.

Scotland have selected an exciting blend of experience and youth for Barcelona with the following players being named in the squad;

Chris Moore, Stirling
Scott Martin, London
Jamie Mitchell, Livingston
Lewis McIntyre, Johnstone
Blair Glynn, Tranent
Johnathan Paterson, Motherwell
Stephen Young, Dunfermline
Ross Russell, Glasgow
Matthew Wynn, Eaglesham
Martin Hickman, Glasgow
Cameron Pollock, Lanark
Mark Robertson, Roslin
Sean Millership, Epson

Head Coach Greig Taylor, will once again lead the team to Barcelona.

Our sincere thanks go to the Scottish FA, NorDan UK Ltd, The Blue Eyes Sports Foundation, The Hot Tub Super Centre and Fresh Interior Solutions for their generous support of the Scottish National Cerebral Palsy Football team.

GB Para athlete Derek Rae was back in action as a peer mentor volunteer in the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre this week. The occasion was the Wednesday inclusive weekly run, jump and throws session led by DSF athletics coach Pamela Robson. The session is supported by Spirit of 2012 through GOGA investment in Fife.

Derek is heading off to London this weekend for the WPA Marathon Championships which will be held during the Virgin Money London Marathon 2019. As a very committed GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer, Derek still found time to support Fife’s emerging young athletes with additional support needs during his most enjoyable hour of his very busy week. As the photo clearly indicates the young learners fully appreciate his time and expertise.

Good luck to all the Great Britain athletes and in particular Derek from Kirkcaldy and Fife Athletic Club. Derek is coached by Ron Morrison at Fife AC and has an amazing team behind him at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

The list of GB representatives is as follows:

• Simon Lawson – T53/54
• Derek Rae – T46/47
• Johnboy Smith – T53/54
• David Weir – T53/54
• Charlotte Ellis – T12

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

Scottish Hockey is inviting clubs across the country to an information workshop on how to broaden access to the game to include people with disabilities.

The national governing body is hosting a gathering on April 16 at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre to launch Flyerz Hockey in Scotland, with a number of clubs having already registered their interest. The hour-long session beginning at 6.30pm will focus on the fundamentals of getting started, and include the opportunity to try out specialised equipment.

Flyerz Hockey is the name widely associated with disability inclusive hockey across the UK. It utilises traditional and adapted equipment during regular club sessions at local volunteer-led community clubs.

Flyerz got started in the UK in 2011 at Waltham Forest Hockey Club in London and has grown significantly since then. It is backed by Access Sport – the legacy fund from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London – which is also supporting the roll-out of Flyerz in Scotland.

Katie Brown, Regional Development Manager in the West of Scotland for Scottish Hockey, said the programme will include those with learning or physical disabilities. The focus is on having fun, learning new skills, making friends and promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

“Research has shown that those with disabilities are twice as likely to be inactive as those without disabilities,” Brown said. “In addition, seven out of 10 disabled people surveyed said they would like to be more active.

“So there are the obvious fitness and physical benefits, but also there is the social element. A lot of disabled people feel isolated from their community, so this is a way to engage and make new connections.”

The launch of Flyerz forms part of Scottish Hockey’s wider strategic plan covering 2019-2023. As an organisation, Scottish Hockey is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the game.

Although the programme is in its infancy, it has already signed up its first pilot club. Western Wildcats – Scotland’s oldest existing hockey club – will hold its first session between 2-3pm on Sunday April 28.

Brown said Flyerz stays as close as possible to the traditional format of the game, with variations on equipment or setup introduced only when necessary. Flyerz participants will be an integrated part of their club receiving the same experiences, such as kit and club days, as other players.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Flyerz Hockey in Scotland should contact katie.brown@scottish-hockey.org.uk.