ParalympicsGB and Toyota have today announced the launch of the groundbreaking Every Body Moves initiative to empower disabled people to become active in a way that is right for them.

Drawing on the lived experience of disabled people throughout the UK, Every Body Moves is an evolution of the award winning Parasport powered by Toyota platform which has grown to become the nation’s largest online destination connecting people with thousands of inclusive sporting and physical activities.

Every Body Moves has been developed thanks to a renewed commitment from Toyota to promote inclusive sporting opportunities. It comes at a time when new research* on behalf of ParalympicsGB reveals disabled people’s physical activity levels have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living challenges: 

• Disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people (17% compared to 10%) to say they are unable to find accessible and inclusive activities near them.
• Disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people (30% compared to 15%) to say they are feeling lonelier and more isolated now than before the pandemic and cost of living challenges.
• 82% of disabled people could name at least one reason why taking part in physical activity and or sport is important to them.
• Almost half (48%) of disabled people agreed that being part of an inclusive community involved in physical activity is important to them.

The everybodymoves.org.uk platform features more than 7,000 inclusive sessions and a range of virtual workouts, hints and tips, and has been co-produced with disabled people.

It will aim to improve accessibility standards for physical activity listings and will place the lived experience of disabled people at the heart of the programme to enable even greater numbers to enjoy the benefits of becoming more active.

To launch Every Body Moves, more than 150 disabled people took part in a ‘come and try’ session for different sports and activities from archery and dance, to wheelchair basketball and table tennis, at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield today (20 March).

They were joined by Paralympic gold medallists Hannah Cockcroft, Jonnie Peacock and new ParalympicsGB chief executive Dave Clarke.

Dave Clarke said: “Every Body Moves is an exciting initiative aiming to connect with even more disabled people across the UK and promote inclusive sport.  I would like to thank Toyota for their ongoing commitment to building on the successes we have already achieved to empower more disabled people to become active in a way that is right for them.

“Our research demonstrates the importance of this launch given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic and cost of living challenges on the disabled community, something which I have experienced first-hand myself as a disabled person.

“Disabled people tell us that representation is a crucial part of breaking down barriers to participation in physical activity and this is why it is so important we celebrate the benefit of movement for Every Body.”

Jonnie Peacock said: “Sport is everything. There’s a social element, there is the physiological response, you’re actually getting fitter and also the fact that you actually get a rush of dopamine when you move.

“Every Body Moves powered by Toyota is just about happiness. It’s about getting people involved in sport and offering everyone something accessible to them.”

Jake Oakley, coach with Every Body Moves Club of the Year, the Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey Club, said: “We are proud and excited to be involved in the Every Body Moves campaign. We know from experience that sport and physical activity can play a pivotal role in transforming wellbeing, building friendships and boosting confidence.

“There is a sport or activity out there for everyone. No matter a person’s age, gender, religion, ethnicity or impairment – our message is simple, get out there, find your thing and have fun!”

Stuart Sanders, Director Communications and Product, Toyota (GB) commented: “We’re looking forward to our continued partnership with ParalympicsGB in evolving the Parasport platform as Every Body Moves.  Our relationship with the Olympics and Paralympics – the pinnacles of sporting success – is well known, but as part of our mission to achieve better mobility for all, it’s great that this initiative will reach the grassroots of sports, enabling everyone to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of physical activity.”

Since the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Toyota started in 2018, the digital hub has expanded to feature thousands of inclusive activities across the UK, with more than 650,000 unique website visitors. The programme’s success was reflected in the fact that it won a 2022 Sports Industry Award in the Active and Wellbeing category. Grants totalling £500,000 were also awarded via the Toyota Parasport fund to grassroots organisations to support inclusive provision during and post-pandemic. 

*Source: Savanta interviewed 2572 UK adults (aged 16+) online between 17^th -19^th February. The sample included a boost for people with a long-term physical condition, mental condition and/or disability, bringing the total of those with a long-term condition and/or disability interviewed to 1053. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of UK adults by gender, region, and social grade.

Corstorphine Athletics Club has become the first in Edinburgh to offer frame running sessions for physically disabled and impaired competitors.

Coaches Graeme Reid, Francesca Snitjer and George Key have been delivering tailored training using special three-wheeled equipment to assist athletes.

Finlay Menzies, 17, and Ian Duncan, 12, have enjoyed initial weekly sessions at Royal High School on Friday afternoons as part of Corstorphine AAC’s joint venture with Active Schools Edinburgh.

The club now hopes to add a second offering on Tuesday evenings during the spring and summer track season at its base at the capital’s Saughton Sports Complex.

Youngsters from P5-S6 will also be able to try frame running for free at the 11th East of Scotland Parasport Festival on Friday, March 24 at the Forrester/St Augustine’s High campus.

Frame running is a form of adaptive running which sees athletes’ bodies supported by the ‘trike’, allowing them to experience the sensation of free movement – often for the first time.

It is primarily for people with co-ordination issues associated with cerebral palsy and related impairments.

Corstorphine AAC captain Graeme Reid hailed the sessions and said each coach gains “huge satisfaction” in helping the athletes advance.

He said: “I think it’s a great thing for the club. We advertise that we’re inclusive and now we’re demonstrating that commitment. Hopefully this can be the start of a successful period for frame running in Edinburgh.

“Now that we have the first few sessions under our belt and a better understanding of how they will work, we hope to gradually expand the numbers. We are exploring various avenues of funding and sponsorship as we’re going to need to purchase at least one frame and a whole load of other equipment.”

Fellow coach Francesca Snitjer said: “Working with athletes with cerebral palsy gives you a much deeper appreciation of how sport can really make a huge difference and impact to the lives of others.

“I have never met two more positive boys – Finlay and Ian are an absolute joy to coach. They take everything in their stride and are always keen to try new things and push themselves.”

The equipment features a saddle, body support but no pedals, with athletes propelling themselves against the frame with their feet and steering with their hands or arms.

Training is treated as a standard athletics session with a warm-up, two to three units of running, jumping or throwing, followed by a cool-down.

There are currently 13 frame running sessions across Scotland – but Edinburgh athletes previously faced a journey to Meadowmill Sports Centre in Tranent to take part.

Ian, who has diplegic cerebral palsy affecting his balance and walking, had been training at the East Lothian site for three years before the Corstorphine AAC sessions launched in January.

He represented Scotland at the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association International Cup in Denmark last year and hopes to one day compete in the Paralympics.

He said: “Fran and Graeme are so encouraging and happy to adapt any parts of the sessions to suit my abilities.”

His mum Sheena Boss, of Prestonfield, Edinburgh, said: “As soon as Ian got on the bike he smiled. It took away all of his barriers. The sport has helped him form friendships with others similar to himself. He loves training with Finlay as he is an older role model.”

Finlay, from the capital’s Balerno, has been using the equipment for six years alongside ambulant athletes, but mum Gill said training with a fellow frame runner gives him an added boost.

She said: “He is finding the sessions mentally challenging as well as physically stretching. Sometimes there are fast footwork challenges, reversing, hill climbs and interval-style sessions, rather than just straight running. They have also done a kind of long jump with one-legged pushes.

“The bond between the boys and coaches is strong after just a few short weeks. It would be lovely to see the club grow.”

Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Athletics, Queen Margaret University and a group of parents worked together with Corstorphine AAC to get the sessions up and running.

Pamela Robson, national disability pathway officer at Scottish Athletics, said: “Corstorphine have shown how a mainstream club can grow and adapt to cater for a specific group of athletes. I know the club and coaches have been committed to this for some time and have been so thorough in ensuring they get it right.

“There are so many individuals that could benefit from being involved in the sport but they need the opportunity to do so. Corstorphine providing this opportunity is a big step forward for the area.”

Louise Gillespie, East of Scotland Development Manager for Scottish Disability Sport, said: “It has taken a while to find the right setting for a new session, so it’s great to see Corstorphine embrace frame running. This can only strengthen the sport and opportunities for young people to participate across Edinburgh.

“I hope that the session will grow in numbers over the next few months and that this will be a success story that can be replicated in other athletics clubs.”

To find out more about frame running at Corstorphine AAC, contact club secretary Chris Peggie on secretary@caac.org.uk.

 

For more details on the East of Scotland Parasport Festival, visit scottishdisabilitysport.com/events-parasport/

Save the Date

We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the SDS Swimming Championships for swimmers with a physical, hearing or vision impairment.

Formerly a senior championship, this event is now open to all ages and will be held in Grangemouth on April 22nd 2023.

We hope to have a bumper programme to celebrate such an auspicious occasion with one or two legends making an appearance. If would be great to see as many people as possible competing from past and present to showcase this sporting birthday!

To register and for more information please go to our swimming page.  

Forth Valley Disability Sport successfully held their AGM virtually on Monday 20 February 2023. Over 40 partners, club representatives, committee members and athletes attended the meeting to hear welcome presentation from Para Swimmer Laura Pilkington and her journey through disability sport,  to hear of FVDS successes from the year, changes and key recruitment within FVDS positions and lastly closing remarks from the new Chairperson, and hearing his thoughts and passions for the years ahead for the Branch.

Graham Harvey (previous FVDS Branch Coordinator) and Cheryl Lappin Scottish Disability Sport Central Regional Manager presented the virtual AGM on behalf of the Branch and were delighted to make key introductions to the committee over the last few months. They welcomed;

• Forbes Maginnis as new FVDS Chairperson
• Kerry Wood as new FVDS Vice Chairperson
• Norman McGlinchey as new FVDS Secretary

As many were aware Graham Harvey, FVDS Coordinator of 14 years, recently moved onto a new role within Active Stirling as Sportability Coordinator. An in flood of partners, FVDS reps, athletes and clubs wished Graham success in his new role and were so very thankful for his passion, commitment and support to the Forth Valley disability community over the years. FVDS were in turn delighted to welcome Nicola Moriarty into this now part time position, she will over see the FVDS Coordinator and GOGA role for the year.

Furthermore FVDS wished Cheryl Lappin success in her new role as Paralympic Pathways Manager for British Curling, and kindly thanked her for her support to the Branch over the 9 years in post. SDS are actively recruiting to replace Cheryl within the Central role.

Lastly FVDS would like to thank all participants, clubs, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and partners for all their support over the last year. Forth Valley Disability Sport looks forward to welcoming everyone to face-to-face AGM and Awards in 2024.

If you or anyone else would like to know more information about Forth Valley Disability Sport, volunteering opportunities and activities please contact us by email: info@fvds.org.uk or visit us on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Our annual Curlability Festival is coming up on 20 March 2023! This year the event is being held at Kinross Ice Rink in conjunction with Visually Impaired Curlers Kinross (VICKS) who, as a club, celebrated their 20-year anniversary this season. The festival is an opportunity for those who have tried curling throughout the season to access an enjoyable and inclusive competition-style day, but it is also open to those who have not yet had the opportunity to have a go at our sport but are looking for an inclusive platform to do so.

Events like this are only possible through the support of the Scottish Curling Trust who currently fund our Disability and Inclusion Development Officer, Isla McLennan. The Trust support this post to allow curling in Scotland to be more accessible and inclusive for all. They work tirelessly to advance inclusion in curling and to develop the sport forward. Make sure to check out their website to learn more about their work.

Register your interest for the event at https://www.scottishcurling.org/curlability-2023/

Please get in touch with us via office@scottishcurling.org if you would be interested in volunteering at this event.

Curlability 2023

Bowls Scotland have made changes to the entry process for Bowls Scotland Para National singles competitions this year.

Instead of individuals entering themselves to the event, it is now the club that will enter bowlers on their Bowls Scotland National Championships entry form along with all other competitions that they are entering to play in the Bowls Scotland District qualifiers.

Clubs have to submit the entry forms no later than 28 February 2023 therefore if players are to be entering your classification singles competition they should the club to complete the form as required.

The classifications remain the same B2/B3 for male and female. B6-8 for females. B6 male and B7/8 male.

Physical disability singles qualifiers will take place on Sunday 28 May 2023, Visually Impaired singles qualifiers to be held on Sunday 11 June 2023. Venues to be confirmed later.

The Para Open Pairs qualifiers are to be held on Sunday 18 June 2023 (venues to be confirmed). Entry forms to be submitted before 23 April 2023 and can be found on Bowls Scotland website under Competitions then Nationals. This competition is open to any classified bowler either physically disabled or visually Impaired or to any bowler with a disability as yet not classified. Pairs combined classification of up to 15 points.

All qualifiers will go onto the Bowls Scotland National Championships which take place at Northfield Ayr between Sunday 23 July and Sunday 30 July 2023.

Swim Western Isles team member Marsailli relished the opportunity to come to Glasgow to compete in her first competition of 2023. She took everything in her stride at Tollcross International Swimming Centre when competing in the West of Scotland Regional Championships on Saturday 11 February.

It was Marsailli’s first time competing in the Disability Sport Glasgow Event in Tollcross but she rose to the occasion and enjoyed winning two Gold and two Silver medals. She continues to train as a member of Swim Western Isles ASC under the watchful eye of David Hanlon and Sarah Macleod.

Marsailli won the following medals.

• Gold 25m CLASS 10 Backstroke
• Gold 25m Class 8 Freestyle Front
• Silver 25m Class 4 Butterfly
• Silver 25m Class 10 Breaststroke

If you or anyone you know living with a disability would like to get involved in swimming, at any level, please contact  admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or telephone 0131 317 1130.

Boccia UK has today announced that four new athletes will join the World Class Programme. The athletes who have earned their spot on the World Class Programme, supported by UK Sport and The National Lottery are:

• Robyn McBride from Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Kayleigh Haggo, from Ayr, Scotland
• Fiona Muirhead from Blantyre, Lanarkshire Scotland
• Sally Kidson from Salisbury, Wiltshire

In total, there are now 12 athletes in the Boccia UK squad that receive funding as part of the World Class Programme. Each athlete on the programme is supported at day-to-day training and any competitions they attend, as well as services such as physiotherapy and strength and conditioning, thanks to UK Sport, The National Lottery and the DCMS.

Robyn McBride (BC3)

McBride, 24, made her debut for Boccia UK at the World Cup in Rio last April and has since demonstrated huge potential. She reached the last 16 at December’s World Championships, defeating highly ranked players such as Thailand’s Ladamanee Kia-Han, the then world number four, en route. Last year, the Northern Ireland star also won a silver in the BC3 Pairs with Will Arnott at the Veldhoven World Boccia Challenger as well as a bronze in the BC3 individual event.

The player – joined on court by Dad Davy as ramp assistant – was brought onto the World Class Programme for an initial trial period of six months but has now firmly cemented her place in the squad.

“I’ve loved every minute of being on the Boccia UK squad and am thrilled to be continuing on the World Class Programme in the build up to Paris 2024,” explained Robyn. “We’ve got a busy schedule ahead of us in which we need to gain vital ranking points but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’d like to thank the National Lottery players who make this all possible.”

Kayleigh Haggo (BC2)

Haggo is already known for her sporting prowess – but in the sport of frame-running as world record holder over 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m. The Ayr athlete set her first world record at the age of 12 and made her first appearance for Boccia UK at the World Boccia Poznan Challenger in August. She juggles training and competing alongside her job as an Active Schools Coordinator for people with additional support needs in South Ayrshire. In 2017, she was named as one of 30 most inspiring women under 30 by YMCA Scotland.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected onto the World Class Programme. Words cannot describe how excited, happy and grateful I am for this opportunity. Huge thanks to UK Sport, The National Lottery and Boccia UK for their support and for believing in me. I can’t wait for this next opportunity.”

Fiona Muirhead (BC4)

2023 was also the breakthrough year for Fiona Muirhead. The Lanarkshire player reached the last 16 at the World Championships and has been making good progress in the BC4 Pairs with Stephen McGuire. The 40-year-old first tried her hand at curling but the cold conditions didn’t suit her. Switching to boccia, she says the sport has had a positive impact on her condition, muscular dystrophy.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to Great Britain and I’m really looking forward to events in 2023 and working towards the Paris Paralympic Games.”

Sally Kidson (BC3)

Kidson is 18 years old and is the youngest athlete currently supported by the World Class Programme.

At the age of just 17, she made her Boccia UK debut in style, finishing fourth in the female BC3 category at the World Boccia Poznan Challenger in August. Away from boccia, Sally is a keen musician and has performed with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Resound ensemble and the National Open Youth Orchestra.

“I’m so thankful for Boccia UK for giving me the opportunity to join the World Class Programme and to continue to compete on the international stage. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year brings.”

In total, there are now 12 athletes in the Boccia UK squad that are supported by UK Sport’s World Class Programme. Each athlete receives funding to help with training and competition as well as services such as physiotherapy and strength and conditioning.

Boccia UK Performance Director Greg Baker explains:

“To achieve selection to the World Class Programme, an athlete needs to demonstrate realistic medal winning capabilities for future Paralympic Games. We are really excited to welcome Robyn, Fiona, Kayleigh and Sally onto the programme which really improves our strength and depth at international tournaments.

“Boccia is a thoroughly demanding and exacting sport and we are confident that the new athletes joining the programme have got what it takes to be successful at this level. They have each demonstrated a problem solving and highly strategic mindset that is required to be a world class boccia player and we’re excited to see what the future holds.”