The Scottish boccia squad made an excellent start to 2023 coming away with 2 silver medals from the UK Challenger in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Making the short journey across the Irish Sea were Scottish National squad players, Lewis McConnell, Kayleigh Haggo, Ross MacNeil and Fiona Muirhead supported by coaches Peter McGuire and Jenny Netherey. The Scots made a strong start to Day 1 with all 4 players winning their opening matches. Ross led the way with a dominant 8-1 victory over Michaela Hollywood and his teammates followed suit as Lewis defeated Sian Jones 9-4, Kayleigh picked up an 11-0 victory over Rachel Ross and Fiona Muirhead opened with a 6-0 victory against young English prospect Harrison Smith.

The second round of matches brought more success for Ross as he beat Gareth Stafford 8-0, but Kayleigh was unfortunate losing a nail biting match in a tiebreak to Scott Cromie. Fiona was more fortunate in a hard-fought encounter with Penny Froude as she picked up a 4-3 win.

Day 1 came to a close with Scottish players featuring on the livestreamed courts. Kayleigh bounced back to form with an impressive 7-2 win against James Clowes while Lewis put up a battling performance against Dylan Nelson eventually losing 8-3. As day 2 began, all 4 Scottish players still in with a chance of a gold medal. Lewis ensured this was still the case after his playoff match as he won a very tight encounter 3-1 against Caroline Robinson and thus secured his place in the semi-finals. Fiona remained undefeated in the BC4 competition as she picked up a 6-1 win over Jayne Milligan. Ross was unfortunate in his BC3 semi-final losing out 7-0 to Daniel Elliott, a score that didn’t highlight just how tight the majority of the ends were. Kayleigh also came up short in her semi-final, going down 5-1 to Irelands Padraic Moran. Lewis did find success in his semi-final however, as he gained his revenge on Dylan Nelson with a brilliant 4-1 win. The final round of matches meant all 4 Scots still had a chance of a medal. Fiona was first up but was defeated by an inspired Sophie Newnham 7-2, meaning Fiona came away with BC4 silver. Kayleigh had a tough bronze medal match and couldn’t quite make the shots she was looking for as she was beaten 9-0 by Dylan Nelson. Ross put up a brilliant battling display despite being reduced to 5 balls in the call room and took Michaela Hollywood all the way to the last few shots before eventually missing out on bronze 6-3. Lewis had an incredible back and forth match in the BC1/2 final against Padraic Moran. Trailing 4-1 heading into the final end, Lewis regrouped and produced 4 brilliant shots, that meant a measure would decide the destination of the gold medal. Unfortunately, it was not

to be for Lewis as he was millimetres from getting the 3rd ball he needed to take the match to a tiebreak. 4-3 to Padraic meant Lewis came away with a fantastic silver medal.

Coach Peter McGuire had the following to say on the weekend:

“In the year of our Lord 2023, boccia players of Scotland, fearless and outnumbered, charged the courts of Antrim. They Fought like warrior poets. They fought like Scotsmen and done their nation proud!” Congratulations to all the players and medal winners over the weekend and thanks to DSNI and Boccia UK for putting on a fantastic competition.

 

 

Throughout this year the #BeActiveBeWell2023 campaign will promote opportunities for children, young people and adults with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being active in a way that suits them. 

The campaign is being run in partnership by Scottish Disability Sport, The Daily Mile,  scottishathletics, SAMH, Paths for All, GOGA Tayside and  Sportscotland 

This month #BeActiveBeWell2023 will be shining the spotlight on the SDS Parasport Festival Series. The parasport festival is a unique, lifechanging, fun exciting introduction to physical activity and sport for school aged children with physical disabilities, hearing loss and vision impairments.

Click here to find out where the nearest festival is to you and how you can register. 

“Today was my favourite day at school because everything was about me and what I could do.” 

“Sportacular, Awesome and Great Fun.”

These are some of the quotes from participants who enjoyed attending an SDS parasport festival last year. 

The parasport experience offers more than physical activity and sport to young people. It can be life changing as they also meet other children with similar impairments, make new friends and learn new skills which increases their confidence, self-esteem. 

Prior to registering please ensure you check eligibility for your young person here and when registering ensure the registration is in the child’s name. 

Please use this link to watch our ‘Get Involved’ video go find out a bit more or contact SDS on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130.  

     

 

Dave Clarke Appointed New Chief Executive of British Paralympic Association

 

A record-breaking Paralympian has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association.

Dave Clarke will succeed Mike Sharrock who steps down at the end of February after more than four years at the helm.

Clarke represented his country 144 times in blind football scoring a record 128 goals in the process. He competed for ParalympicsGB at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games and also in Goalball at Atlanta 1996.

He was a torchbearer at the London 2012 opening ceremony, passing it to Margaret Maughan, Britain’s first ever Paralympic gold medal winner, who then lit the Paralympic Cauldron.

As well as his sporting prowess, Clarke will bring the benefit of a highly successful career in banking spanning 24 years before he turned his attention to the charitable sector at the Royal National Institute of Blind People where he was most recently Chief Operating Officer producing transformational change in the organisation.

He said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, an organisation that is close to my heart.  It is an honour to join at such an exciting time, as we build momentum towards Paris 2024 and strive to deliver greater social impact to challenge perceptions and break down barriers for all disabled people in the UK.

“My experience as a Paralympian has shown me the unique power sport can have to change attitudes and to boost physical and mental wellbeing for everybody.”

Clarke has also been an integral member of the BPA, having served two terms as Chair of the Athletes’ Commission, and for six years on the board, including being the current Vice-chair.

Nick Webborn, Chair of the BPA, said: “Dave brings a superb range of experience in sport, business and the charitable sector to the British Paralympic Association as we aspire to have even greater impact not only in continued excellence during Summer and Winter Paralympics Games but also on wider society.

“He knows the organisation so well and will hit the ground running. It is also a clear statement of intent from the BPA to lead from the front in inclusion and diversity, with disabled people appointed to leadership positions on merit.

“I would also like to thank Mike Sharrock for his tireless work as CEO as he has steered the organisation through some of the most challenging times in its history with the Covid-19 impacted Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. He has left us well placed to continue to inspire a better world for disabled people.”

As Vice-chair Clarke was integral to developing the BPA’s ambitious 10-year strategic plan, Championing Change, and now has the opportunity to lead its delivery. The strategy sets out two key priorities: 

Best Prepared Team: Over the next ten years we will ensure that the UK continues to be a world leader in Paralympic sport. 

Social Impact: To harness the positive power of ParalympicsGB athletes to inspire social change focusing on public attitudes, improving the lived experience for disabled people and to create an environment where all disabled people can thrive.

He will begin his new position at the BPA on 13 March 2023.

Scottish Disability Sport wishes each and everyone of you a Happy New Year

A good start to the year for Forbes Dunlop on his appointment as sportscotland’s Chief Executive Officer. SDS is delighted to extend its congratulations to Forbes.  Further information on the appointment can be found on sportscotland’s website 

 

 

The most impactful coaches across the UK were recognised and celebrated at the 25^th UK Coaching Awards ceremony held in Leeds on Tuesday, 6 December.

The awards – seen as the most prestigious within the coaching community – were created to recognise the remarkable contributions coaches make in providing high-quality coaching experiences, supporting people holistically on their journey through sport and physical activity, and promoting the physical and mental health of the nation.

From transforming lives and communities in the world of sport and physical activity, to blazing a trail for inclusion in all coaching environments, to celebrating the great coaching moments of the year in high performance sport, the coaching family was given a fitting celebration for their outstanding work.

The event recognised top coaches across the UK including the Lionesses’ Sarina Wiegman, British Cycling’s Simon Watt, and legendary UK Athletics coach Aston Moore for their invaluable contributions to the people and teams they coach, following a special year for major events and competitions, which included a home Commonwealth Games and Women’s European Championships.

From the initial list of finalists in each category, worthy winners have been chosen for each of the following awards:

Change a Life Award, supported by Sport England
Tony Kerr (paddlesports)

Community Coach of the Year – Adults, supported by Sport England
Jordan Bedford (multi-sport)

Community Coach of the Year – Children and Young People, supported by the Children’s Coaching Collaborative
Bob Mowlem (football)

High Performance Coach of the Year, supported by UK Sport
Simon Watts (cycling)

Online Coach of the Year
Beth Davidson (fencing)

Talent Development Coach of the Year
Peter Maliphant (orienteering)

Young Coach of the Year, supported by Reading Room
Lexie Williams (touch rugby / rugby union)

Coach Developer of the Year
Brogan Jones (multi-sport)

Coaching Podcast of the Year
Walking on Air (nordic walking)

Inclusive Coaching Award, supported by sportscotland
Worcester RFC Mixed Ability (rugby union)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Aston Moore (athletics)
• Jim Hunter (athletics)

Great Coaching Moment
Sarina Wiegman – England end 56 years of hurt with victory at Euro 2022

Coaching Chain 

• Peter Westbrook
• Jane Sixsmith MBE
• Tim Barlow
• Jerome Goudie
• Danny Kerry MBE
• Karen Brown MBE
• Craig Parnham
• David Ralph

Mussabini Medallists

• David Murdoch MBE – Curling
• Scott MacBain – Para Alpine Skiing

UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon said:

“What an honour it was to see so many inspirational coaches be recognised for their outstanding contributions to coaching.

“These coaches, and all our UK Coaching Awards finalists, don’t just support more people into physical activity and sport, they also change lives, tackle inequalities and help build communities. They also have an insatiable appetite to be the best versions of themselves in order to help their participants.

“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all our winners. For our 25th UK Coaching Awards, the bar was raised once again, and it is so important that we acknowledge and thank all coaches, at all levels and in all settings, as they work tirelessly to support more people mentally and physically through physical activity and sport.”

After the public voted for the Great Coaching Moment of the Year, it was the Lionesses’ Sarina Weigman who was crowned champion for ending England’s 56 years of hurt with victory at Euro 2022. Sarina said:

“I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award amongst other fantastic coaches, and I am very grateful for everyone who voted for me. I can’t say it enough, but all the credit goes to our group of players and staff.”

The coaches of Great Britain hockey player Laura Unsworth MBE won the 2022 Coaching Chain award. Laura paid tribute to the coaches who have played such an instrumental role on her journey to becoming the most decorated British hockey player of all time. In a special video tribute she praised each of the seven coaches individually, plus her mentor Jane Sixsmith MBE, before adding:

“My coaches helped me become the player I am today. So a massive thank you to each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award Jim Hunter, was honoured for his outstanding service to participants with disabilities, saying:

“I never imagined I would be part of the UK Coaching Awards process, and to be a winner of such a prestigious award is an incredible honour for me. Athletics and coaching has allowed me to travel across the UK, in Europe and beyond over the years. It is such a wonderful sport that allows anybody that wishes to take part, because it’s not just one sport, there are lots of ways for people to participate and we can ensure inclusivity with just a little thought and planning.”

Find out more about this year’s winners and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.

We are delighted to mark International Day of People with Disabilities 2022 by launching the new Be Active Be Well campaign.

Be Active Be Well aims to encourage people with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being more physically active, in a way that suits them. It will help provide people with the advice and support they need to find new opportunities for getting active.

The campaign is being run in partnership by Scottish Disability Sport, The Daily Mile, scottishathletics, SAMH, Paths for All, GOGA Tayside and sportscotland.

All these organisations will work together to promote the benefits that being physically active offers for the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people with disabilities. The campaign builds on the success of the previous, award-winning Be Active Be Well programme run by SDS and SAMH, which ran between 2020 and 2021, providing online activity and wellbeing sessions. This time around, we are delighted to be supporting and encouraging people into a wider range of activities, including in-person sessions.

At the heart of the campaign is personalised support for people with disabilities and/or those that support them, provided by Scottish Disability Sport. They will get to know the person’s interests, aspirations and abilities and can liaise with providers of sport and physical activity around Scotland, to help find the right opportunity to get active.

We can help people access a whole range of activities, not only those represented by the partners in the campaign.

We want to hear from you!

• Want to get in touch? Contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

We can also offer support and advice to activity providers who want to make their sessions or facilities more accessible.

Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, has given the campaign his backing. He said: “I passionately believe that physical activity is for everyone and I’m committed to creating opportunities to enable this. We should all feel included, and able to take part and access the benefits of being active.

“The Be Active Be Well campaign highlights opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity, providing positive experiences and opportunities for more people to be more active, more often.”

Athlete Kayleigh Haggo, who holds multiple world records at Frame Running, said: “Physical activity and sport are fun and have been positively life changing for me. There are activities to suit everyone, so give it a go, there will be an activity near you which you can try. Be Active Be Well.”

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