Recruiting body: Ayrshire Sportsability

Closing date: noon on Friday 21st August 2020

Ayrshire Sportsability (ASA) is a voluntary sport group where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key local agencies in Ayrshire. ASA 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.

The board of ASA now wish to appoint a new chair to lead the development of disability sport in Ayrshire.

Are you a dynamic individual who is passionate about the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity?

Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop and challenge yourself? If so, being Chair of Ayrshire Sportsability in these exciting times could be a perfect opportunity for you!

Support, training and development opportunities will be given to the successful candidate.

Role Title: Chairperson (voluntary)
Organisation: Ayrshire Sportsability
Responsible to: Ayrshire Sportsability Board
Location: Ayrshire
Meetings: 4-6 per year
Contract: This is a voluntary position, but all reasonable expenses will be paid. The chairperson is expected to attend branch meetings, held up to 6 times per year, ASA sport/fundraising events and subgroup meetings if required. The level of time commitment if flexible and will be tailored to suit the applicant’s current commitments and the needs of ASA.
Term: 1 year initially, then a maximum 6-year term – re-elected every 2 years which is subject to appraisal & recommendation of the board.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Demonstrate knowledge of governance in the voluntary sector
• Ability to chair meetings effectively and efficiently
• Ability to make decisions and work with others to reach agreed outcomes
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Passionate about the development of disability Sport

MAIN DUTIES

• Lead ASA in ensuring that if fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation
• Develop external relationships with local partners
• Oversee and guide all decisions taken by the board and subgroups
• Establish and maintain relationship with Promotions & Events Contractor and the board

Interview process

Interview dates to be confirmed

Applications

Deadline for applications is noon on Friday 21st August 2020

All applicants should send a note of interest detailing any relevant skills and experience to admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the role please contact: Email: admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk or lynn.allison@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) have found numerous ways to engage families through this challenging time and one of these was the #GiveItaGo Challenge.

This consisted of 8 activity cards given out once a week over an 8-week period. Participants then challenged themselves to give it a go each week and video themselves doing so. These were then sent into SDS and additional points were awarded to the most creative video produced.

35 people registered for #GiveItaGo from all over Scotland. Thanks to everyone who took part. We hope you all had as much fun completing the challenges as we did watching your videos.

Click here to see the winning videos from each week.

Congratulations to the winning teams. Leaderboard is below:

Team/Name	Position	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	Wk 6	Wk 7	Wk 8
Aaron Aaron & Poppy	6	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Corey Sharon	6	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
The Medley Marvels	4	0	0	0	0	20	10	0	0
Spartans Connections	1	10	20	10	10	10	10	10	10
Amy & Dylan Team McCarren	5	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aimee	6	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0
Matthew Doig	4	10	10	0	0	10	0	0	0
Max Farmer	5	10	0	0	10	0	0	0	0
Eat Sleep Ride	1	10	10	10	10	10	20	10	10
Zuzia	2	10	0	10	10	10	10	10	20
Alaiza	6	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0
Team Strachan	4	0	0	20	0	10	0	0	0
Logan Welsh	3	0	0	0	20	10	10	20	10

Winners

Winning Teams	Points	Team
Joint 1st place	90 points	Eat, Sleep, Ride & Spartans Connections
2nd place	80 points	Zuzia
3rd place	70 points	Logan Welsh

Please watch this space for more online activities taking place over the next few months, the first being the Virtual Parasport Festival which is taking place on Sunday 26th July. This is for anyone who is in P1 to S6 who has a physical, sensory or learning disability to try a range of sports in the comfort of their own home. For more information and to register please click here.

If anyone has any questions or would like more information on any of our programmes please get in touch admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

An opportunity to contribute to the continued success of a unique Paralympic sport at Board level

Boccia UK is currently looking to recruit two suitably qualified candidates to undertake the following key Board positions:

·       Independent Director (with Elite Sports/World Class Programme specialism)

·       Independent Director

Building on our achievements at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, at the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships in Liverpool, and with confidence for strong performances at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, now scheduled to take place in 2021, the successful candidates will join a highly experienced Board to help steer Boccia UK to continued future success.

For full details see the Boccia UK website here: http://boccia.uk.com/news.

Project Echo is an online research forum dedicated to understanding the post-game effects of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, on both participants and non-participants.

The Forum is designed to capture the voices of those impacted by the games as they express their opinions, experiences and thoughts on the impacts, participation opportunities and constraints of hosting large sporting events. The data collected from participants input will be analysed and disseminated to policy makers, educators, para sport organizations and their allies, with the hope that the voices of those impacted by these games, are considered in future decisions that affect them.

You can follow Project Echo on:

• Twitter: projectecho2020
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theechoproject/
• Instagram: @proj.echo
• Facebook: projectecho2020
• Or join the conversation: www.theechoproject.org

 

Robert introduced himself and welcomed all those attending the Mental Wellbeing Conversations with SAMH. Robert has over 20 years’ experience in working in this area and he was keen to start a conversation and share his passion and wealth of knowledge regarding how we can all find ways to look after our mental health.

To start our conversation, we were asked ‘What is Mental Health?’ We all shared our thoughts and discussed how in the past, mental health was seen as a negative and ‘swept under the carpet’. People were unlikely to admit to suffering from poor mental health and were told to ‘give yourself a shake’. Mental health was often medicalised and seen as an illness with negative connotations.

We then considered how attitudes and perceptions have changed over the years. Thankfully for the better, people are more open and although we often cannot see if someone is struggling with mental health, we are more likely to support and understand. Awareness of mental health and wellbeing has seen great improvements through communities, councils, schools and at Government level but we must all strive to continue that good work.

After discussing the definition of mental health and wellbeing, we shared our experiences of how physical activity has huge benefits for our mental health. From improved mood, increased confidence and self-esteem, better quality of sleep, reduced stress and increasing social connections. So, get out in the fresh air, go for a walk, a push or a jog and feel the benefits for yourself.

SAMH have developed ‘5 ways to better mental health’ and these are – stay connected, get active, take notice, give and learn. By connecting with these you are acknowledging to yourself and others that you are looking after our mental health and wellbeing. Identify your activity and plan to make it happen. Take time to focus on the things you love and matter to you and don’t let other things stop you.

Check out our page here, where you can learn more about the ‘5 Ways to Better Mental Health’ and there are also some great resources available. If you are planning your mental health activities then the #Beactivebewell #Connect 5 has some great suggestions. What are you waiting for? Give it a go!

I’ve certainly been ‘active’ and definitely feel ‘well’!  What a first week for SDS  #Beactivebewell

It started off on Monday with The Art of Sleeping.  I’m lucky, I sleep well, but Rachel gave us lots of practical tips and advice to help get a good night’s rest and sleep.  Sleep diaries were provided which would enable you to look for patterns in your routine and look for ways to get a better night’s sleep.

Bob then led the first stretching session.  He explained the importance of warming up the muscles before stretching and how important our breathing is to help us relax. With his calm, encouraging approach, I felt totally relaxed and supple and will do some stretching every day.  This was a very inclusive session so sign up and join Bob next week.

On Tuesday, we were joined by Ella.  Her positive energy and bubbly personality had us warming up then doing various movements in our chair.  Each exercise could be simplified so everyone could participate and benefit from the moves.  We were swinging our brooms and shaking our tins of beans!! We finished with a good stretch to cool down.  A real fun session. Register now and give it a go next week.

Wednesday, we were introduced to HIIT with Gill.  We started with a dynamic warm up getting the muscles ready for the session then followed various high intensity moves and actions for two sets of 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest in between.  These really got the heart going! Gill encouraged us to go as fast as we could but within our own limits and adjusted the exercises for those standing and those seated so everyone was quite exhausted by the end!  A good cool down with various stretches would ensure we didn’t have too many aches and pains the next day!

Helen led the Yoga session on Thursday.  This was a very relaxing, peaceful session, working on strength and flexibility.  Helen introduced some breathing techniques which can be used any time to calm us down and bring balance.  We used scanning to get in tune with our body, and were encouraged to be aware of our breath.  Helen’s calm, supportive manner enabled everyone to participate – a very relaxing session, although holding some of the positions was quite challenging! Why not find out the transformational power of yoga and join in next week.

For our final activity of the week, Gill led us through a Callanetics session.  This involved lots of small repetitive movements and pulses and many of the exercises involved the lower body.  As a permanent wheelchair user and paraplegic I was unable to do these.  However, I could join in with my upper body where it could improve muscle tone and Gill was great at giving alternatives so I could participate.   Why not join Gill for a HIIT or Callanetics session over the next few weeks – they are great fun!

I have thorough enjoyed each of the sessions this week and I would definitely recommend you register and sign up for future sessions.  Which one would suit you?

Connect 5 has really made me think about my mental health and what am I doing to help it.  I think about my physical health but it has been great to ‘connect 5’ and focus on SAMH – 5 Ways to Better Wellbeing. (Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn, and Give).  We all have mental health, just as we have physical health, and it’s important that we all take the time to look after it.  What are you doing to look after yours?  Download the ‘Connect 5’ board and play yourself, with a friend or family member.  Can you connect 5?

 

 

We aim to give wheelchair users across the country the opportunity to play powerchair football and be a footballer.

To achieve this we are looking to partner with individuals, organisations and/or clubs to introduce the sport to more wheelchair users.

Currently the SPFA offer national Premiership and Championship leagues, a league cup and a Scottish Cup.

There is a national side plus European football at club and national team level.

For more information please contact info@thespfa.org.

Virtual Parasport Day
Saturday 3rd October 2020
Venue: Zoom

The Virtual Parasport Day will offer opportunities to young people from P1 to S6 to experience a range of new sports, have fun and get active. This is the first of two days, the second taking place on Saturday 3^rd October.

Are you in P1 to S6 with a physical, learning, visual or hearing impairment?

Come and participate and have fun with Paralympians to celebrate the Summer Paralympic Games and join Scottish Disability Sport in the first of two Parasport Days to experience a range of sports including basketball, boccia and football from the comfort of your own home! 

The event will be delivered by experienced coaches, Governing Bodies of Sport and supported by the Scottish Government Wellbeing Fund.

Time	Item
10.00	Join
10.15 – 10.30	Welcome & Warm Up
10.30 – 11.10	Activity 1 – Football
11.10 – 11.55	Mental Health Workshop
11.55 – 12.30	‘Chomp & Chat’
12.30 – 13.10	Activity 2 – Dance
13.10 – 13.50	Activity 3 – Tennis
13.50 – 14.00	Close

 

You can join for as many or few sessions as you want and are welcome to dip in and out throughout the day. 

Please sign up here and more details will be sent to you soon.

If you have any further questions, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

We look forward to meeting you on the day.