Category: A News

20/12/2023

Highland Disability Sport Welcomes New Branch Administrator

Committed volunteer aspires to develop disability sport up North.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

Highland Disability Sport (HDS) branch recently welcomed Alison Thompson, as the newly appointed branch administrator. Alison was initially interested in the position after volunteering for the branch at their multi-sports and athletics club. She comes with a wealth of experience after working many years in disability sport across the world.

During her time working at a local sensory school in Inverness, Thompson attended a trip to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Fiona Green, still an active employee at HDS, joined her on the trip and together they witnessed first-hand the positive impact that role models and sporting icons can have on up-and-coming athletes.

This experience, coupled with her admiration for the HDS team, influenced Thompson’s decision to apply for the position as branch administrator.

Her work as a volunteer not only fuelled her passion for disability sport but also developed her awareness of the importance of the social elements that sport provides. Thompson understood that by creating an inclusive environment, more people can benefit from this social impact.

Her interest was heightened when she took a year out from employment and travelled to Australia. During this trip Thompson worked at sensory schools and was fortunate to work at the national games for Special Olympics Australia, where she helped run the football tournament.

So far in her new position at HDS, Thompson is really enjoying meeting current athletes, coaches, and volunteers – experiencing all the great work that is being done by the branch.

Looking towards 2024, Thompson is already organising and planning exciting, inclusive opportunities, such as the Highland Parasport Festival. The festival will take place on Saturday 3rd February at the Craig Maclean leisure centre.

Travel is currently being planned for athletes and this is always a vital learning opportunity for young people on their ‘playground to podium’ journey. With competitions taking place throughout the country, events like this provide athletes with a valuable travel experience.

Events like this further highlight the important roles played by parents, teachers and coaches.

A further ongoing challenge is the requirement for more volunteers. The HDS branch need more volunteers to continue providing current sessions and events. Simultaneously, volunteers will allow the branch to continue to develop the ecosystem of Para sports and new opportunities.

Thompson believes that new, creative ways should be employed to showcase how rewarding and inspiring volunteering can be, in order to attract new volunteers.

In 2024, Thompson is keen to meet more athletes, coaches and volunteers; eager to hear their stories and understand how they got involved in disability sport. Additionally, she is eager to attend major events outside her region, to learn and consider whether these activities can be implemented in the Highlands.

13/12/2023

British Blind Sport’s ‘Have a Go’ Day

British Blind Sport (BBS) is hosting a free sports taster event for blind and partially sighted people in Glasgow, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport. The event will take place on Saturday, January 27th from 10am to 3pm at the Emirates Arena, 1000 London Road, Glasgow G40 3HG. The event will feature a fantastic line-up of sporting activities for blind and partially sighted people of all ages and abilities to participate in alongside their friends and family. Confirmed activities include athletics, judo, tennis, and goalball.

BBS ‘Have a Go’ Days have been held successfully across the country for many years, encouraging blind and partially sighted people to become more active. The event will give blind and partially sighted people in Glasgow and the surrounding area the opportunity to try adapted sports and learn about inclusive opportunities that they can continue to enjoy and participate in after the event in their local area.

Vicky Cook, Participation Officer at British Blind Sport said, “We are delighted to start the new year by hosting a ‘Have a Go’ Day in Glasgow to give blind and partially sighted people a chance to try out different sports and hopefully discover a new passion or hobby. Physical activity plays such an important role in living a happy and healthy life, our ‘Have a Go’ Days ensure that more people will get an opportunity to experience some of the activities available.”

To register to attend, please follow the link to complete the form:

Junior: www.britishblindsport.org.uk/forms/view/juniorglasgowhagd

Adults: www.britishblindsport.org.uk/forms/view/seniorglasgowhagd

For more information, please visit the British Blind Sport website:  www.britishblindsport.org.uk/hagd

Or contact Vicky Cook, Participation Officer on 07983498120 or email vicky@britishblindsport.org.uk

British Blind Sport is always grateful for the help of volunteers at events. Please get in touch to discuss volunteering opportunities.

13/12/2023

From the Pool to Politics

Stefan Hoggan-Radu speaks about his journey in sport and life, as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Laces Campaign.

Stefan Hoggan-Radu has represented the LGBTQ+ community on many occasions as an elite Para athlete. Since his retirement from competitive sport he has continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the political world, currently holding the position as Councillor for North East Fife.

A now proud spokesperson for disability and LGBTQ+ rights, his personal journey of self-love and acceptance was filled with challenges. Bullied throughout school for having a disability, Hoggan-Radu was apprehensive to share his sexual orientation.

At 23 years-old he was training as a British triathlete and was worried about the reaction that he would get from his fellow athletes and the triathlon community after coming out. However, when he came out he had nothing but acceptance from his peers and surrounding community.

When asked how this impacted his performance in sport, Hoggan-Radu explained that this emotional strain didn’t impact his results when competing. However, he recognises the impact that it had on his long term mental health, with him appreciating that this would have ultimately effected his training performance and routine.

Before triathlon, swimming was his first sport which saw him compete on the international stage. After missing out on the 2014 Common Wealth Games by 0.02 seconds, he took the tough decision to retire from swimming.

His involvement with Para swimming paved the way for his political career. After becoming a member of the Young Person’s Sport Panel, he embarked on a trip to America, through an exchange with Blaze sport. This trip was incredibly insightful, getting to analyse policy and procedures along with attending the British Embassy in Washington as a representative. This partly influenced his decision to enter the field of politics.

His personal experience of being bullied at school highlighted the, “real injustice around how disabled individuals are treated. They aren’t represented.” This was something that he wanted to change.

When asked what inclusivity means to him, not only as a former athlete but also a member of the SNP, he shared a memorable moment that took place following the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

When he was going to training, a child saw him and their first reaction was, “Mum, that is really cool. That man only has one arm. He could be in the Paralympics!”

Hoggan-Radu credits UK broadcasters for striving to be more inclusive and have better visual representation on screen. As a result of broadcasting the Paralympics, this child saw a disability and a future for them competing in sport.

He finds this memory very heartwarming and he believes that if more people see a disability, we can create a more accepting and inclusive society, which ultimately, will make the world a better place.

The Rainbow Laces Campaign concluded on Sunday (10^th) and leads the way on supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, fitness and physical activity. Scottish Disability Sport are proud to support the Rainbow Laces Campaign and will continue to promote and encourage a fully inclusive society.

12/12/2023

Congratulations to Samantha Gough

Congratulations to Midlothian’s Samantha Gough on winning her first ever British Rowing indoor championships this past weekend in Birmingham, with the PR3 2k race Gold medal. Samantha says ‘I’ve learnt so much and excited to keep improving. Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening’.

Samantha competes in several sports. She played Visually Impaired Football for England and last year took bronze in the European Para Youth Games as the only Scot representing her country at goalball, which she was introduced to at a Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festival. She has recently been selected for the British Rowing Performance pathway. Samantha’s goal is to continue her journey to the Paralympics Paris 2024, and LA 2028

Samantha recently won the Midlothian Award at the Midlothian Young People’s Awards ceremony in recognition of her sporting achievements. She was also commended in the UK parliament for this .with an Early day motion.

She is an ambassador for visually impaired and blind young people, spending her time visiting schools and educational settings. She works at raising awareness for adaptive sports within mainstream settings, making sure that young people with disabilities have the same opportunities in sport as their peers. She felt that she was excluded from PE within school so wants to ensure other young people have better experiences.

Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festivals 2024:

04/12/2023

Robyn Love on Intersectionality

Scottish Disability Sport were extremely lucky to have a catch up with current Great Britain and Loughborough Lightning wheelchair basketball star, Robyn Love, who made time in her busy training calendar to speak to us.

Love has had a successful career representing Great Britain at the Paralympics, Scotland at the Commonwealth Games whilst also being recently included in the All-Stars team for the first time.

She became aware of Para sports through the 2012 London Paralympics, the first time she, “had ever seen Disability sports”. This serves to highlight the importance of role models and sporting heroes with a disability being visible to young participant in Scotland. Through para sports, Robyn met Tina Gordon who helped her considerably, providing Robyn with her first wheelchair, supporting and training with her, Robyn appreciates everything that Tina has done for her explaining that Tina was a massive influence “propelling me forward for success after success and ten years of fun and adventures”.

When asked whether she feels a responsibility to be a role model in the game due to her own positive experience and the effect this has had on her career, she replied – “absolutely I feel a responsibility, I’m always after more, I want more people playing and watching wheelchair basketball, I’m also extremely passionate to get more women into the sport”. This is something she admits is improving with better access and infrastructure to the women’s game with the creation of the English Premier League. She feels a duty to continue to grow the game. This is one of the reasons that she has taken to social media and specifically TikTok alongside starting her own coaching practice “Love Handles”.

Robyn is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is something that Robyn is passionate about alongside being a role model for other members and athletes. Robyn is aware and appreciative of her own situation – “in a family where I can be my true authentic self and everybody is loving and accepting of that” however, Robyn also commented – “I am lu4cky to be in this position as many people are not in that same place, where they can be comfortable and confident being themselves” This is something that is very important to Robyn, living her best life; representing her family and friends and inspiring anyone out there to be their true authentic selves.

Robyn has recently taken up the position of LGBTQ+ ambassador, with the British Elite Athlete association (BEAA). Through this opportunity Robyn is excited to help create an ally scheme which aims to provide educational opportunities, to not only players and athletes but to teammates and staff members. Robyn enjoys promoting the importance of an environment where “players and staff feel comfortable and confident to go out and be themselves” Robyn wants to “help players not have voices in their heads, by not listening to these individuals players will be able to perform better”. Robyn is relishing this great opportunity and feels that this work is making a difference, helping people to be comfortable in themselves as “at the end of the day our playing careers stop, but we don’t stop being people”.

Robyn feels that “she has had nothing but acceptance within her field”, which she appreciates is partly due to it being a female sport however, she also acknowledges that there is more acceptance in general with there being fantastic role models “coming out” in mainstream sports such as football. Robyn urges more sports to create an inclusive environment.

Over the last couple of years Robyn and her partner have become parents to their baby Alba. Being a parent has helped Robyn whilst playing, bringing a sense of clarity and perspective. Before Alba, Robyn compared herself to a Ted Lasso character with basketball being life. This is something that Robyn is grateful for and believes has changed her outlook on not only basketball but also life. Recently Alba joined the British team at the European Championships, staying in her parents’ room, joining team meetings, and providing a unique form of heckling on the court. The British team took home silver in this competition.

Robyn looks forward to continuing as a role model for the sport and the LGBTQ+ community throughout the season, starting this weekend with Cardiff away. Furthermore, Robyn is keen to keep developing her game to ensure that she is at the Paralympics this summer in Paris. Scottish Disability Sport wishes her every success in the next stage of her exciting adventure.

Watch the full interview on Scottish Disability Sport’s YouTube channel here:

27/11/2023

Disability with Attitude

On 3rd December at 7:30 AM , to coincide with UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities Radio Scotland airs a documentary by journalist Michael McEwan, covering how attitudes surrounding disability have changed over the last four decades.

Michael celebrated his 40th birthday this year and wanted to find out how much we have moved on in society towards people with a disability since 1983.

Michael speaks to his parents of their experiences of raising a child with Cerebral Palsy, he also caught up with former pupil and friend Martin Dougan, now a fellow BBC journalist, to share memories of the school they both attended, Ashcraig in Glasgow.

Michael also speaks to Catherine Graham, Head of Inclusion of Glasgow City Council, about how education became more inclusive for pupils with disabilities by the 1990’s

Michael spoke with Lyn Pornaro, chief executive officer of Disability Equality Scotland, she explained what impact the introduction of Disability Discrimination Act in 1995 had on people living with a disability.

The show will also be available soon after on BBC Sounds, here is the link.

08/11/2023

SDS Welcomes William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

Hi, I am William Moncrieff and I have just started as a communications apprentice with Scottish Disability Sport.

I’m excited to take my first step in the sporting industry, especially as I have had an interest in sport from a very young age, growing up playing for my local mini rugby club in Strathspey and then joining Highland Rugby Club, playing for both their junior and senior teams. I am also a keen runner, enjoy playing golf and walking. These were all large factors in deciding to stay in the Highlands.

As part of a partnership agreement between UHI and Highland Rugby Club I studied sports coaching and development at both HNC/D level, whilst having access to both work experience and volunteering opportunities with the rugby club. In 2019, after finishing my HND I became seriously unwell, I have been left with life changing injuries and I am now registered blind. This affected my studies and led me to take a year out from university. In 2021 I decided to return to higher education with a slight change in focus, pursuing a degree in sports management, which I completed in May of 2023.

A big factor in my rehabilitation was sports. By trying to keep physically active I took up running, golf and hiking again, whilst at the same time maintaining a keen interest in all things rugby. My interest and passion for sport gave me purpose and motivation, playing a considerable factor in my return to university, obtaining my degree, and now finding employment. Physical activity has helped me rebuild my confidence and preserve a strong level of mental health. Sport has also been instrumental in helping me maintain exiting friendships and meeting new people with similar interests.

My new role focuses on the planning and delivering of targeted communications, with the primary aim of reinforcing Scottish Disability Sport’s core values and principles. A further responsibility is to identify new and exciting methods of storytelling. This is an area that particularly interests me, as I believe that when done effectively, storytelling can be incredibly inspiring. One of the many reasons for deciding to apply for this position was through my experience of the important work that the organisation does. I have been lucky enough to benefit and get running sessions provided through my local branch in Inverness. I am delighted to be able to work on sharing the fantastic work of Scottish Disability Sport, helping to get the message “out there”, so more individuals can benefit from the opportunities available. I am happy to be part of a team and look forward to working with new individuals, learning, and benefitting from their experience.

06/11/2023

Nationwide Celebration of Getting Active in Scotland

Scottish Disability Sport Week aims to highlight how and why everyone in Scotland with a disability should get active.

From Monday 27th November to Sunday 3rd December, there will be a Nationwide celebration of getting active and involved in disability sport in Scotland, through an online campaign called Scottish Disability Sport Week.

This week is the first of its kind and already over 50 Partners, local authorities and branches across Scotland have committed to the campaign alongside SDS (Scottish Disability Sport). The campaign aims to highlight and promote the opportunities and the impact physical activity can have on individuals, communities, clubs and society across the country.

The Scottish Disability Sport Week will also provide a platform to showcase the intersectionality of participants within disability sport and share the message that everyone can participate in sport.

Scottish Disability Sport’s CEO, Gavin MacLeod, said: “Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to be working closely with a diverse range of partners from across Scotland to co-ordinate the inaugural Scottish Disability Sport Week. This partnership approach will provide us with a strong platform to communicate the massive benefits of participation in physical activity and sport for people with disabilities.”

The week-long campaign aims to encourage people with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being more physically active, in a way that suits them.

MacLeod added, “It will highlight the wide variety of opportunities available across the country and it is our hope that this campaign will encourage more people with disabilities, from all communities and backgrounds, to become more active.”

Each day of the week will be centered around a specific theme to provide a focused discussion. Monday will explore the benefits of getting active and participating in disability sports, Tuesday’s theme addresses overcoming barriers, Wednesday looks at intersectionality, Thursday highlights the impact of clubs and communities, and Friday gives guidance on next steps. On the weekend, Saturday allows the conversation to continue by encouraging people to share their own stories before Sunday concludes the week with the International Day of Persons with a Disability (3rd December).

The campaign builds on the success of the previous, award-winning Be Active Be Well programme, run by SDS and SAMH, that provided online activity and wellbeing sessions.

To get involved and stay updated on Scottish Disability Sport Week, make sure to follow SDS across social media and the website: Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

03/11/2023

World Anti-Doping Agency 2024 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency releases the 2024 Prohibited List with the inclusion of tramadol The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published its 2024 Prohibited List. The Prohibited List designates the substances and methods that are prohibited in sport. Following an extensive consultation period by WADA, the 2024 Prohibited List was published on the 27 September 2023. This gives athletes and support personnel sufficient time to make themselves aware of the changes, review any medications they use on Global DRO, and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required before the updated List comes into effect on 1 January 2024. Included on the 2024 List is the substance tramadol which will be banned in- competition from 1 January 2024. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic and is classified as a prescription only medicine in the UK. Tramadol misuse is of concern because of the risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction, and overdose. It has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. If you are concerned about tramadol misuse, please reach out to UK Anti-Doping or speak to your doctor prior to the change in status on the 2024 Prohibited List. Please visit UK Anti-Doping’s website here to read a full summary of the changes on the 2024 List. The following resources are also available to read on WADA’s website: • The full 2024 Prohibited List• The WADA 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes• The 2024 Monitoring Program which includes substances not currently on the List but are being monitored by WADA for potential patterns of misuse in sport.

02/11/2023

SSF sportscotland Annual Awards 2024

The SSF sportscotland Annual Awards 2024 are planned for 22^nd February next year.

As part of the awards, SSF aim to recognise external organisations in the category of Organisation of the Year. This award is open to all organisations in Scotland who fit the criteria here. Partners who have worked with SSF previously – please base your nomination on the work you do with young people, it does not have to be specifically based on the partnership work you may do with SSF.

This organisation will have used sport and physical activity innovatively and intentionally to change the lives of young people in the last year.

Nominations close on Tuesday 15^th November at 4pm.