Our partners Scottish ClubSport are recruiting for new Ordinary and Independent Directors to join their Board of Directors.

• Ordinary Directors = any committee member, affiliated club, individual, local partner that is affiliated or connected to the Sports Council/ClubSport network (we have capacity for up to TWO Directors to come from any Partner/Associate Member of Scottish ClubSport)
• Independent Directors = any of the above people connected to a Sports Council/ClubSport network but must act in an individual capacity OR someone who is not connected to a Sports Council/ClubSport network but has the essential skills/experience/knowledge that can support the organisation.

These adverts can also be found at https://www.scottishclubsport.co.uk/vacancies

Independent Director Vacancies 2022

SCS Director Advert 2022

SCS Director Application Form – October 2022

 

The Boccia UK Championships will be held in Swansea between the 14 -16 October 2022.

Scotland are delighted to announce the squad travelling to the championships who will compete in the BC2, BC3 and BC4 classifications.

SDS Boccia Development Manager, Josh Thomson, will travel down as Team Manager with SDS National Boccia Coaches Pete McGuire, Jenny Nethery and Michaela Rihackova. Good luck to all players who are competing over the weekend.

BC2
Lewis McConnell
Kayleigh Haggo

BC3
Scott McCowan & Gary McCowan
Jamie McCowan & Linda McCowan

BC4
Stephen McGuire
Tyler McLelland
Paul McIntyre
Scott McIntyre

1. If you could introduce yourself, your sport and your club.

“My name is Diane Gillan, my club is East Kilbride Disability Sports Club, Glasgow Disability Badminton Club.  My main sport is badminton, and I do a variety of different sport.  At the East Kilbride Disability Sports club we do different sports every week including football, basketball, handball, tennis, cricket.  I go to the gym at the Dollan Aqua Centre and I attend Mark Wilsons Body pump class and Mary McCarroll’s Body Pump class.  They keep my fit.”

2. How did you get involved in sport?

“When I was at school, I wasn’t very good at sport, and I didn’t really get on very well at school.  I didn’t get any exams or anything like that.  When I left school, I was asked by a coach called David Gillespie, he asked me if I’d be interested in badminton.  Now when I was at school, I didn’t actually like badminton, ‘cause it was a constant sport, and I wasn’t actually very good at it, but when David Gillespie asked me I said ‘well all right, I’ll give it a go.’ And since then, it’s just opened up a lot of great things for me.  I’ve carried the Olympic Torch, I’ve represented my country, I’ve won various medals and awards, so it has been a good experience.”

3. Why do you think some women and girls don’t participate in sport?

“They might not have time if they have children, that’s a problem, I also think maybe a lot of people are quite shy to go to the gym or to go to classes.  “

4. What do you enjoy most about playing badminton?

“I like playing badminton because I get to meet my friends, obviously I like winning my games, especially if it’s against the guys.  I like doing competitions and stuff like that and keeping fit as well that’s the main thing.”

5. Have you made new friendships through sport?

“Oh yeah, I’ve made a lot of friends through sport, I’ve made a lot of friends at my disability sports club, made a lot of friends at the Dollan by doing the classes, I’m even a volunteer at the Dollan on the reception so I’ve met a lot of people there. I’m inspired by Mark Wilson, and Mary McCarroll for getting me involved in the classes.”

6. Although you are very much a participant in sport, how did you get involved at becoming a volunteer?

“Well I’m a volunteer at the reception, and basically, yet again, it was Mark that gave me the opportunity and Elaine Donaldson, they gave me the opportunity to work there.  It was only meant to be for a short time maybe like a work experience for six or seven weeks, but I’ve probably been there for about 6 or 7 years so it’s all right. “

7. What would you say to women and girls who don’t play sport?

“I would say to them, give it a go ‘cause you never know it could help you feel better, it can help you lose weight cause a know a lot of women get problems like that.  It can also help your mental health as well.”

8. How can we get more girls and women involved in sport?

“Girls could go to different schools and show them like their medals they’ve won, for instance I could show them my Olympic torch and say look, if you can go and try and  do sports you get a chance to do different things, it opens up a lot of stuff to do and you meet a lot of friends and you keep fit.  You could also put posters up and people would be able to see it on there.”

Gemma Lumsdaine is a GB wheelchair rugby talent player, SDS Tutor, Masters student, SDS YPSP mentor, and recently published author!

We caught up with Gemma and found out more information about her new book – 50 women in sport and the chapter she was involved in writing.

Why do you think a book around women and sport is important?

I think this book is really important as having a book about women’s sport helps to raise the profile and representation of women, particularly women with disabilities in sport. I hope that the stories within this book will show everyone what women and girls are capable of, challenge stereotypes and encourage more women and girls to get active.

How did you get involved with writing this book?

I got approached about writing a chapter on Great Female Paralympians, I was quite shocked as I’ve never done anything like this before but thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new, so I went for it!

What is your favourite part of the book?

Difficult to say…but probably the chapter great female Paralympians which I had the honour of writing.

What was the biggest challenge when writing?

The biggest challenge was definitely staying within the word count, I’m so passionate about the subject that it was hard not to just go on and on!!!

What is your favourite writing drink/snack?

Definitely coffee and lotus biscuits!!

How can we buy the book?

You can buy the book online from any standard book stores e.g. WHSmith.

Scotland’s CP Football Squad made their return to international competition for the first time in nine years at the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) World Championships in Sardinia from 24th September – 4th October.

The Scots were drawn in a difficult group along with Chile, South Korea and host nation, Italy. However, the Scots dominated the group stages with an opening 6-0 win against Italy followed by a 7-0 defeat of South Korea and 7-2 victory over Chile. This meant Scotland topped Group A and faced a tricky semi-final encounter against Group B runners-up, Japan.

Scotland came flying out of the blocks in their semi-final, racing to a 3-0 half-time lead with goals from Dean Thornton, Martin Hickman and Jonathan Paterson. The second half was a tighter affair, but the Scots emerged 5-1 winners with additional goals from Ross MacMillan and a second of the match for Martin Hickman. This ensured progression to the final to face a Colombian side who, like Scotland, had yet to suffer a defeat in the competition.

It was a closely fought first half of the final which the Colombians edged 1-0. It look like the game was dead and buried for Scotland when Colombia scored in quick succession at the start of the second-half. However, the Scots fighting spirit and goals from Jonathan Paterson and Ross MacMillan ensured an exciting close to the match. It wasn’t to be on this occasion for Scotland and despite intense pressure in the closing stages, the match finished 3-2 in favour of Colombia.

The Scottish players travel home with their heads held high having played superbly on their return to IFCPF competition and have done Scotland proud. The focus will now turn to an equally successful campaign at the 2023 IFCPF European Championships.

The squad that represented Scotland in Sardinia was as follows:

Players

Jamie Kelly (Hamilton)
Jon McFarlane (Glasgow)
Sean Millership (Epsom)
Kerr Mackenzie (Paisley)
Dean Thornton (Glasgow)
Martin Hickman (Glasgow)
Matthew Wynne (Eaglesham)
Jamie Mitchell (Livingston)
Blair Glynn (Tranent)
Christopher Moore (Stirling)
Jonathan Paterson (Wishaw)
Ross MacMillan (Cambuslang)

Staff

Greig Taylor (Head Coach)
James Docherty (Coach)
Gavin King (Coach)
Stephen Young (Support Staff)
Katie Scott (Physio)
Erin Robertson (Sport Science)

Anyone interested in finding out more about CP Football in Scotland can contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or at admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Alternatively, have a look at this short video which gives a good overview of the sport.

Sunday 13 November 2022, 12.00-3.00pm

Newton Park, Bo’ness

Do you want to:

• play football for Scotland?
• learn and develop footballing skills?
• have fun and make new friends?

Format for event:

• 12.00pm – Information session for participants and parents
• 12.30-2.00pm – On pitch session
• 2.00-3.00pm – National Squad Training / Match (option to watch)

For more information or to book contact us on 0131 317 1130 / admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or register online here.

Scotland’s CP Football Squad are about to return to the international arena with their involvement in the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) World Championships, which will be held in Sardinia from 24th September – 4th October.

The Scots will face a tough opening to the Championships, having been drawn in a group along with Chile, South Korea and host nation, Italy. The Scot’s opening encounter will be at 18.00 on Tuesday 27^th September against Italy with the Championships final being played on Monday 3^rd October.

Scotland have been training hard in advance of the World Championships and over the summer contested an international double header with England. This was the first CP Football full international fixture on home soil for 6 years which saw Scotland win the first fixture 3-1 and drawing the second 4-4 in front of a passionate home crowd at Newtown Park, in Boness.

The IFCPF World Championships will be Scotland’s first senior international tournament since 2015 and hopes are high for a tournament victory.

Head Coach Greig Taylor said, “Playing at the World Championships in Sardinia is going to be massive for us. The boys have worked extremely hard both on and off the pitch and I couldn’t be more proud of them for what they have achieved. We have an unbelievable bunch of players, probably the best squad I’ve worked with in my 18 years in CP Football. We are going to enjoy every minute and we can’t wait to kick off against Italy in our first match”.

The squad to participate in Sardinia will be as follows:

Players

Jamie Kelly (Hamilton)

Jon McFarlane (Glasgow)

Cameron Pollock (Lanark)

Sean Millership (Epsom)

Kerr Mackenzie (Paisley)

Dean Thornton (Glasgow)

Martin Hickman (Glasgow)

Matthew Wynne (Eaglesham)

Jamie Mitchell (Livingston)

Blair Glynn (Tranent)

Christopher Moore (Stirling)

Jonathan Paterson (Wishaw)

Ross McMillan (Cambuslang)

Staff

Greig Taylor (Head Coach)

James Docherty (Coach)

Gavin King (Coach)

Stephen Young (Support Staff)

Katie Scott (Physio)

Erin Robertson (Sport Science)

Anyone interested in finding out more about CP Football in Scotland can contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131   or at admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Alternatively, have a look at this short video which gives a good overview of the sport:

Role Title: Chairperson of Forth Valley Disability Sport (Voluntary)

Responsible to: Forth Valley Disability Sport management committee

Location: Stirling

Term: Minimum 1 year (can be re-elected at annual AGM for a maximum of 3 years)

Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS) is a charity where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disability in partnership with key local agencies in the three local authority areas of Stirling., Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.  FVDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

As chair, you will have a strategic role that is involved with representing the vision of the Branch. You will be responsible for strategic matters, and setting high standards. The chairperson plays a pivotal role in increasing the effectiveness of the Board and individual committee member and wider partners. You will be responsible for ensuring that there is effective communication with the leadership team and acting as a sounding board for the FVDS Coordinator.

Skills Required:

• Good decision maker, ensure matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner, and bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings
• Well organised, enthusiastic and drive in partnership working
• Confident at keeping order during meetings

Main Duties include:

1. Lead the management committee and the affairs of the organisation.
2. Oversee and guide all decisions taken by management committee and sub committees
3. In liaison with the co-ordinator, oversee the work of all officers
4. Liaise with the secretary on the agenda for each meeting and approve the minutes before they are circulated
5. Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure funds are spent accurately and in the best interests of the branch
6. Help to prepare and submit any statutory documents that are required (e.g. VAT, grant aid reports)
7. If unable to attend any committee meeting, a written update/ report could be sent to the meeting and the Vice Chair briefed on the agenda

Time Commitment: (Roughly 5- 7 hours per month)

• Attend/ Chair FVDS Committee Meetings (6 per year)
• Liaise with the FVDS Coordinator on matters arising (bi – weekly)

Applications

All applicants should send a note of interest to graham.harvey@fvds.org.uk detailing why you are interested in the role and any relevant skills and experience before Fri 23^rd Sept. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Graham Harvey on the above email or phone 07895093109. We will be in contact with any interest applicants throughout the process on suitable interview dates.

 

Scottish Disability Sport (Central) would like to launch the Regional Disability Events Calendar for the upcoming academic year (Sept 2022 – July 2023).

Cheryl Lappin, SDS Central RDM, would like to thank partners from Forth Valley Disability Sport, FVDS Get Out Get Active, Clackmannanshire Council, Active Stirling, Falkirk Council, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Athletics, Scottish Boccia, Scottish Football Association and local/ regional clubs for their ongoing support in collating this robust calendar for the year ahead.

Please click on links below for information:

• Events & Coach Education Calendar
• Junior Events Programme Descriptor
• Adults Events Descriptor

For any questions or to find out more information about disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact: Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360

 

 

Bargeddie 17-year-old Ellie Robertson takes on the biggest challenge of her tennis career this week when she contests the first junior wheelchair tennis tournament to be held at a Grand Slam. 

Robertson, who is part of the LTA’s National Age Group Programme, is in New York for the inaugural US Open Junior Wheelchair Tennis Championships after a busy and successful summer that culminated in her earning direct qualification for the eight-player girls’ singles field at the last opportunity.  

Robertson, who was No.11 in the international junior wheelchair tennis rankings at the start of June, improved her ranking to No. 7 by early August to ensure that she would not need to depend on the chance of being awarded a wild card for New York. She said: 

“It’s really exciting and I’m very proud to have qualified after all the hard work over the summer. I’m feeling proud. It was quite nerve-wracking going to play in Holland because I knew that I had to win a certain number of matches to qualify for New York. I think I coped with the pressure quite well, being in that match situation and knowing what I needed to do. I had had the thought in the back of my mind for some time that I could make it.” 

Robertson, who trains at Scotsoun Tennis Centre with her coach and former Paralympian Kevin Simpson, has played tournaments in Great Britain, Turkey, Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands this season to gain as much experience as possible and to help improve her ranking.  

At the end of July she was world ranked No. 8 after the British Open Junior Championships in Nottingham before back-to-back tournaments in the Netherlands ended with the young Scot moving up one place to the No. 7 ranking that ensured her place on the plane to New York.       

Among her results in the Netherlands Robertson took current No.2 ranked junior Maylee Phelps of the USA to three sets at the Amjoy Cup before finishing runner-up to fellow Brit Ruby Bishop the following week at the Cruyff Foundation European Junior Camp. 

“I think we bought the best out of each other. I’ve beaten a few of the players that were in the top 10 of the junior rankings when I played them, but Maylee just managed to get the better of me,” said Robertson of her match against Phelps, the player who is set to be top seed in New York. 

“It’s a really big thing for me as it will be my last junior event. I’m nervous and excited. I’ve never really been that far and while I get to experience playing at a Grand Slam, I’m also going to experience things like jet lag for the first time, so it’s a learning experience for me, too,” added Robertson, who turns 18 next Tuesday. “My coach Kevin has been to most of the Grand Slams with Andy Lapthorne, another British wheelchair player, so to have him there will be great.” 

Looking ahead to Robertson’s US Open challenge, coach Simpson, formerly one of Britain’s leading wheelchair players, said: “It means the world to me to see Ellie show her potential. I still remember her coming to tennis as an 11 or 12-year-old and to see her now is incredible. She’s worked hard for this. It’ll be an experience she’s never going to forget and will stand her in good stead for the transition from junior to senior women’s competition.” 

Photo courtesy of the LTA