This guidance is being produced to support athletes, participants with a disability, SDS Branches, coaches, volunteers and staff on phase 1 of the return of outdoor sport and recreation in Scotland.

IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to undertake exercise or outdoor activity if Scottish Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus.

It has to be emphasised that phase 1 guidance does not mean a return to sport but is linked to the extension to exercise in a safe environment. It does not mean a return to competitive sport or taking part in clubs, sessions or coaching from an SDS perspective.

Some sporting activities can now be undertaken outdoors, providing all activity is consistent with current Scottish Government guidance on health, physical distancing and hygiene. Further guidance will be available from your mainstream Scottish Governing Body to advise you on the implications for your individual sport.

For the sport of boccia there will be no return to clubs, sessions or any other form of coaching or competition for the foreseeable future. SDS will publish further updates and guidance as they are announced relating to phases 2-4. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-framework-decision-making-scotlands-route-map-through-out-crisis/

SDS key messages for the extension to exercise outdoor sport in phase 1.

• This guidance relates only to exercise in Scotland
• Only exercise with people from your own household and/ or one other household
• Stay local to home
• Travel limited to “broadly” 5 miles from home
• Be kind, friendly and considerate to everyone you meet
• Follow Public Health guidelines for hygiene
• Maintain physical distancing
• No branch/ clubs or centre organised activity
• Exercise well within your capabilities

There is still a high risk that the virus is not yet contained and there is continued risk of overwhelming NHS capacity. Our priority remains to protect the health of our coaches, volunteers, athletes, participant, staff and the wider community and help to suppress the spread of the Covid-19 virus. We should all continue to follow the government’s and public health guidelines and stay at home as much as possible. If you or anyone within your household has coronavirus you should continue to self-isolate.

Information on Scottish Governments approach to managing covid-19 is available at www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/.

People who are shielding should not visit venues or undertake activities. People who are symptomatic should self-isolate for 7 days; household members for 14 days as per info on NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend an outdoor sports facility/activity.

Should a return to sport be possible for your sport during phase 1 in line with government and your sport specific Scottish Governing Body guidelines the following general guidance should be considered.

For further information on general guidance see below.

SDS Phase 1 Further Guidance

Sport England and UK Coaching chief execs praise the nation’s coaches for keeping communities active during coronavirus lockdown

• Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth and UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon joined together for a podcast to give their thoughts on the situation from a coaching perspective
• Innovative coaching practice has kept the nation active during unprecedented social restrictions

The coaching community has been identified as playing an important role in keeping communities active, as the nation adjusts to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer at Sport England has praised the innovative approach to online coaching many coaches have taken during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, and believes that they have a vital role to play in driving community activity as restrictions are lifted.

Hollingsworth, said: “Coaches are key workers for the sports and physical activity industry. My job takes me around the country to see projects and I am always slightly in awe of the work coaches do. The quality of what I see in front of me leaves me taken-aback because it’s a very different skill set from that which I possess. That ability to make the session real and meaningful – and also to provide improvement in a technical sense – will be absolutely critical for us moving forwards.

“There is a vital need for us to think more in our strategy about the role of people in supporting our desire to make sport and physical activity have a purpose for society, and have a purpose for everyone in their individual lives.”

Hollingsworth was speaking in conversation with his UK Coaching counterpart, Mark Gannon, in a new podcast which has been released today (21 May) on ukcoaching.org.

The wide-ranging conversation, which has been released during Mental Health Awareness Week, examined the need for inspirational people in communities to drive increased activity; how the pandemic has brought into focus the way in which people can be supported; and the challenges that people may face as society moves forward.

Mark Gannon, Chief Executive Officer at UK Coaching, said: “Coaching is about people and great coaching is people-focused. One of the things we are very aware of is what will have happened to people during this period of restriction owing to coronavirus. There will be health and well-being issues and, as a result, we have worked with Sport England and Mind to make available mental health and well-being training for all of the coaching workforce – free of charge. This will upskill the coaching community to better deal with and recognise the signs of someone who has, perhaps, struggled through this period and may be struggling to reengage.”

Scottish Disability Sport invites you to take part in our weekly challenges, to have fun and get active with your family using our activity cards which are posted on the website. The purpose is to challenge individuals, family and friends to give it a go over an 8–week period using a different card each week. 

Click here to see the Inclusive Activity Cards we will be using.  

The key aim is to develop and improve skills through using a different card each week.  How many weeks can you be involved and who will have the most points at the end?  

A maximum of 10 points can be gained each week for submitting your videos. Extra bonus points will be awarded for creativity, for example dress up costumes (Disney character, superhero, sports star), equipment or a themed activity.  The owner of the most creative video each week will receive a £10 Amazon voucher.

Challenges will go out each Monday afternoon and you have until Sunday at 6pm to send us your video to show us your skills and how you had fun completing the challenge.  

You can adapt the activity in any way you want using any available equipment. The more creative you are, and the more fun you have, the better. Everyone who sends in a video will appear in the weekly roundup celebrating your amazing efforts. We are excited to see your videos with your great ideas.   

To be part of the #GiveItaGO challenge please register here. Registered participants will receive a certificate at the end of the challenge.  If you would like any further information please contact us on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Timetable  

Week commencing	Activity
Monday 25th May	Snake Slalom
Monday 1st June	Speed Ladder
Monday 8th  June	Balloon Keepie Up
Monday 15th  June	Ball Familiarisation
Monday 22nd  June	Target Golf
Monday 29th June	Beanbag skittles
Monday 6th July	Obstacle Relay
Monday 13th July	Tee Strike