Category: A News

17/06/2024

SDS Demonstrates Best Practice at the Scottish Student Sport Conference

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) was delighted to take up an invitation from Scottish Student Sport (SSS) to present at their annual conference. Our West of Scotland Regional Manager, Fraser Kennedy, joined the SSS Inclusion and Culture Coordinator Eilidh Gibson and Lynne Glen, SDS Head of Development, to provide an overview of SDS and their partnership work with SSS.

The presentation to the conference delegates raised awareness of the following:

- Importance of inclusive practice – highlighting the education and learning workshops available to college and university students,
- Volunteering opportunities that SDS and its member branches can offer students,
- Connecting and working in partnership with SDS Regional Managers and the branch network across Scotland.

Fraser highlighted the best practice model of the Glasgow Partnership Forum, which includes the Sports Development Coordinator, the representatives from the Strathclyde Sports Union, the City of Glasgow College Active Campus Co-ordinator, SSS and SDS. The partners work together to increase opportunities across the two institutions for students with disabilities.

12/06/2024

ParalympicsGB Announces Boccia Squad for Paris 2024

Three-time Paralympic champion David Smith and reigning world champion Claire Taggart head up a five-strong squad of brilliant British boccia players who will line up for ParalympicsGB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this August.

Smith – who became Britain’s most decorated boccia player after successfully defending his Paralympic title at the rescheduled Tokyo Games three years ago – will head to the French capital looking to add to his current tally of five Paralympic medals from four Games.

Northern Irish athlete Taggart heads to Paris as the world number one in her class. The 29-year-old, who claimed her first global title in 2022, will compete in the new individual female category introduced for these Games – mixed events had been on the schedule when she competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Taggart said: “I’m delighted to be selected to compete at my third Paralympic Games in Paris. It’s a huge opportunity to compete in front of family and friends, as Paris is so close. I’m really excited as well as a bit nervous!”

Former frame runner and swimmer Kayleigh Haggo will meanwhile make her Paralympic debut after an impressive season which saw her win her first major international medal in Zagreb in April.

The Scot, who has won several world titles in frame running before switching to boccia in 2022, will also compete alongside Taggart and Smith in the BC1/2 Team event, the trio fresh from winning silver at the Sao Paulo World Cup last week.

Smith said: “I’m really excited for my fifth Paralympic Games and it will be great to play in front of a crowd again, after the Tokyo Games was limited by Covid. While I do love playing individually, the team event has always been a strong passion of mine. The team medal was my first at a Paralympics, so it’s kind of where I learned my craft. Our team then went into a bit of a transition, so it’s always been my ambition to return us to where we were.”

Haggo, who has dreamt of competing at a Paralympic Games ever since she attended the London 2012 Paralympic Games aged 12 with her mother, said: “I cannot wait to represent ParalympicsGB. After 13 years of competing internationally across three different sports, my dream has finally come true. From the first time I played, the tactics and excitement of boccia had me hooked. And in Paris, I want to enjoy every moment and play the best I can.”

Fellow Paralympic debutants Will Arnott and teenager Sally Kidson complete a stellar squad and will line up in the BC3 Pairs event having won gold at the qualifying event in Japan earlier this year.

Kidson – who is supported by ramp assistant Hannah Stewart – is the youngest athlete in the boccia line-up. 2023 was a breakout year for the young star from Salisbury, beating the likes of world champion Ana Costa and European champion Sonia Heckel.

The 19-year-old said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to have been selected to represent ParalympicsGB. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am grateful beyond words to be a part of such an incredible group of people. It’s been a crazy journey so far, filled with challenges, triumphs and many, many hours of hard work, but I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”

Arnott, 25, is supported by ramp assistant Connor Wellfare and they both live in Reading. Together, they secured a silver medal at the 2023 Para European Championships.

Arnott said: “I am so proud to be part of this squad. It feels as if the hard work that goes on in the background is starting to pay off and I’m thrilled to make my Paralympic debut in Paris. For me and my assistant, Connor, it really is a dream come true.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “I’m really excited to see the ParalympicsGB team taking shape with today’s addition of David, Claire, Will, Sally and Kayleigh – our boccia squad for Paris 2024. We have a superb depth of talent among our five selected athletes, across individual and team disciplines, and I can’t wait to see them all in action this summer.”

Greg Baker, Boccia UK’s Performance Director, said: “I’m so proud of the five athletes headed to the boccia court in Paris. Since Tokyo, we’ve seen some key players retire and it’s been more difficult to qualify than ever before, so to see new players coming forward, delivering on the world stage and making their Paralympic debut is fantastic for our sport. It is also testament to our staff – the team behind the team – who have worked incredibly hard to support the squad.

“We’ve also got very experienced players in David Smith, Paralympic champion, and Claire Taggart, world champion. Of course, it is the first time that the male and female individual events will be separated at the Games, which is helping to grow the sport globally.

“We’ve had a very productive season with increased competition and international training opportunities to ensure our athletes and staff are as ready as possible for the Games. Our focus now is making sure that the next couple of months offer further great preparation for the squad, giving them the best chance to deliver great performances in Paris.”

A total of around 230 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris, with further names to be announced by ParalympicsGB in the next few weeks.

At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.

Full Boccia squad:

David Smith – BC1 (Athlete Competition Partner: Misel Kranjcec)

Claire Taggart – BC2

Kayleigh Haggo – BC2

Will Arnott – BC3 (Athlete Competition Partner: Connor Wellfare)

Sally Kidson – BC3 (Athlete Competition Partner: Hannah Stewart)

10/06/2024

Hewett and Reid Equal Grand Slam Doubles Record with Fifth French Open Title

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid seal 20th Grand Slam doubles title
British pair equal overall record of Grand Slam doubles titles won by any partnership
Andy Lapthorne finishes runner-up in quad doubles final

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid equalled the overall record for Grand Slam doubles titles won by any one partnership on Saturday as they clinched their fifth successive French Open wheelchair doubles tittle and 20th Grand Slam title together following a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Japanese second seeds Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda.

With Hewett and Reid playing their Japanese opponents for the third time in four Grand Slam finals, the defending champions secured an immediate break of serve to earn a two-game cushion before winning seven of the last eight points as Reid served out to love and then forced Miki into the error that sealed the opening set after 26 minutes.

Miki’s service game also provided the British pairing with the opening they needed in the second set as they broke the Japanese No.3 to love to make it 4-2. Four games later Hewett then hit a clean cross court forehand winner off the Miki serve on the first of two match point to take he and Reid to 49 career doubles titles as a partnership.

Reflecting on a record of 20 Grand Slam doubles titles that they now share with the USA’s Althea Louise Brough and Margaret Evelyn Du Pont, as well as with Martina Navratilova, Hewett said:

“It wasn’t something I was aware of going into the match, but obviously to hear it afterwards, it’s certainly a proud moment for us as a partnership, and everyone that’s helped us get there. I don’t think we would have thought that we would be sitting here with 20 Grand Slams (when we started). It’s fun to get out there and play with Gordon. The success is just getting more and more enjoyable every single time.”

Looking ahead to the Paris Paralympic Tennis Event, which is also being held at Roland Garros later in the year, Reid said: “it’s exciting to do well here this week, obviously leading into a couple months’ time (at the Paralympics). Now we can enjoy it and look forward a little bit farther. Obviously there are a few more big events coming up on grass we need to deal with first.”

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid (GBR), high fiving — PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 08: Alfie Hewett of Great Britain and Gordon Reid of Great Britain celebrate winning match point against Takuya Miki of Japan and Tokito Oda of Japan after the Men’s Wheelchair Doubles match on Day 14 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Goode/Getty Images)

However, it was not to be for Andy Lapthorne in the quad doubles final as he sought to make it three French Open titles with three different doubles partners. Lapthorne and Guy Sasson were unable to build on 3-1 and 5-3 leads in a first set tie-break, eventually finishing runners-up to Dutch top seeds Sam Schroder and Niels Vink 7-6(9), 6-1.

Hewett, Reid and Lapthorne are among eight British wheelchair players and 26 world top 10 ranked players across men’s, women’s and quad draws that have been announced this week among the entries for the Lexus British Open Roehamtpon, the LTA’s premier annual standalone international wheelchair tennis tournament that is now an integral part of the British summer grass court season.

04/06/2024

Fife Disability Sailing Opportunity

Royal Yachting Association Scotland (Scottish Governing Body for forms of boating such as sailing, windsurfing and powerboating) are putting out a last push for our Try Sailing day for people with disabilities or those who may require some additional support at Loch Ore Meadows in Fife on the 9^th June.

Royal Yachting Association Scotland (RYA Scotland) are hosting this day in conjunction with Fife Sailability. (Please feel free to have a look at their page on Facebook to see the venue and what is available.)

There are still spaces available for anyone who is interested in getting on the water, with the support of RYA Scotland’s volunteer team who will be on hand both ashore and afloat to accompany people out on the boats.

Boats and a hoist which enables access to wheelchair-users to go sailing, will be available and people are welcome to book for a morning, afternoon or both if they wish.

Bookings are free can be made via the link here.

31/05/2024

GOGA Tayside Advocating ‘Movement in Medicine’

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

May has been themed “Moving For Mental Health” by sportscotland. This is providing the sporting community with fantastic opportunities to highlight the relationship that physical activity has with improved mental health.

Get Out Get Active Tayside (GOGA Tayside), one of Scottish Disability Sports’s (SDS) partners, has been at the forefront of this ongoing pursuit, using physical activity as a resource to improve physiological and psychological wellbeing.

GOGA Tayside are delivering several classes per week in mental health wards throughout their region. These consist of two sessions per week on four wards at Murray Royal Hospital and one session per week on four wards at Carseview Centre.

Lee-Anne Herbert, GOGA Tayside instructor, often delivers these classes with the goal of providing more people with opportunities to become physically active as well as supporting the inpatients to feel confident participating in the sessions and applying the tools once discharged, which has been the case on several occasions.

Lee-Anne explains: “Physical activity plays a crucial role in personal wellbeing as it is a simple tool to help improve overall quality of life and general wellbeing. A phrase I often share with clients is Movement in Medicine.”

Lee-Anne’s classes started a little over two years ago at Moray Royal Hospital and due to their success, they have since expanded. This is seen as a huge achievement.

“Activity supports the mental wellbeing of every individual & the benefits of simple movement shouldn’t be underestimated. The more that people can get moving in some capacity, the healthier our communities will be”, said Lee-Anne.

When classes are being delivered, there is a great opportunity to provide participating patients with an opportunity to be socially interactive.

“Social interaction is a huge part of many of the sessions. The closed ward sessions that I deliver are an easy way to encourage people out of their rooms and into a supportive environment to enable peer group interaction. It’s important to be able to give that opportunity”, commented Lee-Anne.

The sessions delivered are yoga and mindfulness. These provide every participant with an opportunity to become more physically active, whilst giving them practical breathing routines that they can implement into their everyday life. This has resulted in some great feedback.

“The ward activity coordinators often tell me that clients have been using the breathing techniques that I teach when they feel under stress. In a few specific cases, staff have offered feedback that the client is much more at ease in the ward and around other people since starting the sessions”, said Lee-Anne.

She went on to say: “Every session I see a difference from how people present at the start to how they present at the end. Sometimes, it’s a simple change in how high they are holding their shoulders and sometimes there’s such a difference in their whole personality, much more relaxed and open.”

GOGA Tayside’s work has been well received by many. Their work in the Amulree wards in Moray Royal Hospital received the Mental Health Nursing Practice & the Johnathan MacLennan Excellence Awards for ‘Innovations in Improving Physical Health and Wellbeing’ at the 2023 Scottish Mental Health Nursing Forum.

If you would be Interested in finding out more about Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside, and how you can get involved, please visit here.

30/05/2024

Shepherd Supports Scottish Disability Sport’s Boccia Development

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) receives financial support from Shepherd Chartered Surveyors to further aid boccia development throughout Scotland.

The backing from Shepherd will help fund SDS’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for people of all abilities, to try and participate in boccia across the country.

Ian Fergusson, Senior Partner at Shepherd, said: “We’re delighted to financially support Scottish Disability Sport’s inspirational boccia programme.

“Boccia is a hugely inclusive sport which caters for all abilities and we look forward to playing an active part in the growth of this popular sport throughout Scotland.”

Acting as the Scottish Governing Body for boccia, SDS is continually campaigning to make the sport accessible for all; providing clear pathways to engage in the sport in both urban and rural areas of Scotland.

Currently Scotland has 36 boccia opportunities which allows over 720 people to enjoy the game of boccia. To make this happen there are over 199 volunteers who support these opportunities. These volunteers are vital in supporting the athletes thrive and develop.

“SDS is delighted to receive funding support from Shepherd Chartered Surveyors”, said Gavin MacLeod, SDS Chief Executive.

“Financial support of this nature goes a long way to allowing us to offer more players with disabilities access to this fantastic Paralympic sport. Funding will be used to enhance access to training and competition for players across Scotland. Our thanks go to everyone at Shepherd Chartered Surveyors”.

2024 is a big year for boccia in Scotland and the support from Shepherd comes at a critical time where interest in the sport is expected to rise.

Not only is SDS currently preparing to host both the Scottish Boccia Closed Championships (15^th June) and the UK Boccia Championships (15-17^th November) but sandwiched in-between is the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where several Scots are hopeful of securing a spot on the team.

27/05/2024

A great day had at the National Senior Learning Disability Swimming Championships

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

On Saturday 18th May, Scottish Disability Sport hosted their Senior Learning Disability Swimming Championship at Highlife Highland’s Aquadome facilities, located in the capital of the Highlands.

The day saw twelve teams make the trip up north, with a grand total of 121 individuals turning up to compete.

The day started well with participants, coaches, supporters and parents feeling excited for the day of swimming. Josie, one of the coaches, explained how some of her team were feeling: “they have been so excited for weeks, just to compete in this competition.”

“I get such a buzz from this competition. I just love seeing all the other clubs here taking part. I think it’s just wonderful that they get the chance to participate in competitive sport, I just love it.”

This sense of real excitement was shared by Ian and Adam, two swimmers from Inverness who said they were, “so proud to be here and swimming for Team Highland.”

Ian, who competed in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke, went on to say: “I am desperate to get the cup back home for Team Highland. There is a real community here in the team.”

The morning session saw Team Glasgow take the lead narrowly ahead of Team Highland, followed by Team Grampian.

Team Glasgow kept adding to their medal tally in the afternoon, including a silver medal won by Lynne in the breaststroke. She said that she was, “feeling good and happy. I’m looking forward to cheering on my teammates.”

This sense of enjoyment was shared by Scott’s parents who travelled over with Team Grampian. They said, “It is just great to be able to watch him succeeding in something that he enjoys doing.”

They continued to say, “swimming is a great way for him to exercise, keeping healthy whilst not putting too much strain on [his] joints.”

The afternoon also saw personal records being broken, with Rory from Team Highland, shaving 0,05 seconds off his PB in the backstroke – good enough for silver.

“I am happy to win the medal for the team, it feels good”, said Rory.

Dundee Discovery was also represented at the championships and found themselves on top of the podium on several occasions.

Two swimmers from Dundee Discovery, Maria and Alwin, both won a gold and silver medal. When asked about their highlight of the day, they said: “taking part and being part of a team.”

Maria went on to say, “I would like to thank my coaches, Eileen and Jen, along with all the helpers. They’ve done a great job.”

A further Dundee Discovery swimmer that found the podium on multiple occasions, was Taylor. Reflecting on the day, he said, “I won five medals today, in 100m freestyle, 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly”, said Taylor.

He continued to say, “I think my favorite part of the day has to be the atmosphere within the teams.” Adding, that he was looking forward to, “getting to celebrate with the team, having some fun and enjoying the bus journey back home.”

After an eventful afternoon session, Team Glasgow held on to the lead and claimed the Kintore Trophy. Team Highland had to settle for second place with Team Grampian completing the top three spots.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) would like to thank everyone who came, took part and added to the amazing atmosphere. SDS would further like to thank the Motability scheme and The Highland Council’s Inverness Common Good Fund for their support throughout the day.

If you would like to find out more about future events, please click here.

22/05/2024

YPSP Member Grace Attends International Conference

Last week, Grace Jean Lawther from the Scottish Disability Sport Young Persons Sport Panel (SDS YPSP) was invited by sportscotland to attend Enable’s three-day Europe in Action 2024 Conference, held at The University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.

With more than 400 people in attendance at the conference, Grace had the opportunity to connect with people from across Europe, with people attending from countries including Romania, Slovakia, Ireland, and Belgium among others.

Grace felt inspired by the event and found the discussions she had very hopeful and encouraging.

“As a disabled young person there is a lot of anxiety around how the future might look, and it is often the case that our journey looks different to our non-disabled peers. There were so many knowledgeable, courageous people to hear from at the conference”.

Since she joined the YPSP last year, Grace has been a very proactive member, showcasing her passion for disability sport, and has made a brilliant contribution to the panel and the wider work of SDS.

“As someone who is interested in advocacy – I am on the Scottish Disability Sport’s Young Persons Sport Panel, and I write a blog about my experience as a young, autistic woman – it was fascinating to see just how far others have taken their advocating”.

You can read the full article here.

The SDS YPSP is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. The panel is made up of 16 young people aged 14-22 who come with a huge amount of enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience to help shape the future of disability sport in Scotland.

21/05/2024

Four Scots Selected for ParalympicsGB Swimming Team for Paris 2024 Paralympics

Coinciding with 100 days to go to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, ParalympicsGB named a 26-strong Para swimming team on Monday (21st), including four Scottish athletes.

The four Scots that made the team include Stephen Clegg, Toni Shaw, Louis Lawlor and Faye Rogers.

Paris 2024 marks a third consecutive Games for Stephen, whereas it’s a second Paralympics for both Toni and Louis. Despite being her debut Paralympics, Faye goes into Paris as current world champion following her success at Manchester 2023.

“I am so excited to be selected for my first Paralympics,” said Faye following the announcement.

“The last 3 years have been absolutely crazy so to end up here is just an amazing feeling. Bring on Paris!!”

Multiple Paralympic medallists, Stephen Clegg and Rebecca Redfern, alongside Rio 2016 gold medallist Alice Tai, rank as some of the more experienced heads lining up within a talented team.

Tokyo Paralympians Ellie Challis, Louise Fiddes, Grace Harvey, Suzanna Hext, Louis Lawlor and Toni Shaw complete the roster of athletes with prior Games experience – with Challis, Fiddes, Harvey and Shaw all having reached the podium three years ago at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games which yielded a phenomenal 26 medals for ParalympicsGB in the pool.

Of the 15 debutants set to write their own chapter of Paralympic history in front of packed stands in Paris, William Ellard, Poppy Maskill and Faye Rogers do so as world champions following their successes at Manchester 2023 – with Rhys Darbey, Scarlett Humphrey, Cameron Vearncombe and Brock Whiston further members of the British team that competed at the home World Championships last summer heading for their first Paralympic Games in 100 days’ time. Scarlett will be joined in Paris by her identical twin sister Eliza Humphrey where they will be racing against each other in a number of events.

Iona Winnifrith is the youngest member of the swimming cohort selected for Paris 2024, with the 13-year-old having built upon impressive performances at April’s Aquatics GB Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre, by racing to two European titles later last month in Madeira.

Olivia Newman-Baronius, Callie Ann-Warrington, Mark Tompsett and Harry Stewart equally all claimed European titles at their first senior international championships appearance in April, with Bruce Dee and Megan Neave additionally achieving podium finishes in Madeira as they now prepare to compete on the sport’s greatest stage this summer.

Double Paralympic champion, Maisie Summers-Newton said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be selected for a second Paralympic Games.

“I achieved my dream three years ago in Tokyo, and defending my titles is definitely the ambition, but without putting too much pressure on myself the focus is on enjoying my racing and delivering my own best performance – to be able to do that in front of family and friends this summer will be all the more special.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “I’m delighted that today, with exactly 100 days to go to this summer’s Paralympic Games, we can celebrate the first athletes to join the ParalympicsGB team for Paris 2024 – our swimming squad.

“Our 26 swimmers represent an exciting mix of youth and experience, and there’s no doubt they all have fantastic potential to make Great Britain proud in Paris this summer. I’m really excited to see the ParalympicsGB team start to take shape and look forward to welcoming athletes from all corners of the UK, across 19 sports in total, in the coming weeks and months.”

Aquatics GB Associate Performance Director Tim Jones said: “I’m delighted that ParalympicsGB are now announcing these 26 swimmers to compete in the swimming events in Paris in 100 days’ time.

“Our athlete cohort has evolved significantly since the Tokyo Games, and with 15 first-time Paralympians on the team, we know we have great potential to be very successful in Paris. Amongst our more experienced team members we’ve also seen some positive performance developments across this cycle to build on results from the past. We travel to the Games with a high-quality group of well-supported swimmers from a diverse range of training locations, which is testament to the hard work and commitment from a large number of clubs and their coaches.

“With the team now unveiled, we will forge ahead in the coming months with the comprehensive plans we have put in place for this important pre-Games preparation phase, and I have every confidence we will arrive in Paris ready to deliver our best possible performance.”

A total of around 230 athletes from 19 sports to are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris, with further names to be announced by ParalympicsGB in the next few weeks.

ParalympicsGB Swimming squad:

Ellie Challis, Manchester Performance Centre (S3/SB2/SM3)

Stephen Clegg, University of Edinburgh (S12/SB12/SM12)

Rhys Darbey, Nofio Clwyd (S14/SB14/SM14)

Bruce Dee, Northampton SC (S6/SB6/SM6)

William Ellard, St Felix Swimming Club (S14/SB14/SM14)

Louise Fiddes, Hatfield SC (S14/SB14/SM14)

Grace Harvey, Manchester Performance Centre (S6/SB5/SM6)

Suzanna Hext, Tigersharks A.S.C. (S5/SB4/SM5)

Eliza Humphrey, Northampton SC (S11/SB11/SM11)

Scarlett Humphrey, Northampton SC (S11/SB11/SM11)

Tully Kearney, Loughborough University (S5/SB5/SM5)

Louis Lawlor, City of Glasgow ST (S14/SB14/SM14)

Poppy Maskill, Manchester Performance Centre (S14/SB14/SM14)

Olivia Newman-Baronius, Maxwell Swim Club (S14/SB14/SM14)

Megan Neave, Repton Swimming (S14/SB14/SM14)

Rebecca Redfern, Worcester SC (S13/SB13/SM13)

Faye Rogers, University of Aberdeen Performance (S10/SB10/SM10)

Toni Shaw, University of Aberdeen Performance (S9/SB9/SM9)

Harry Stewart, Plymouth Leander SC (S14/SB14/SM14)

Maisie Summers-Newton, Northampton SC (S6/SB6/SM6)

Alice Tai, Ealing SC (S8, SB8, SM8)

Mark Tompsett, Bolton Metro SS (S14/SB14/SM14)

Cameron Vearncombe, Manchester Performance Centre (S14/SB14/SM14)

Callie-Ann Warrington, RTW Monson SC (S10/SB10/SM10)

Brock Whiston, Barking and Dagenham/London Disability SC (S8, SB8, SM8)

Iona Winnifrith, Tonbridge SC (S7/SB7/SM7)

17/05/2024

Featured

Scottish Disability Sport Statement: Independent Investigation

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) can today, Friday 17^th May 2024, confirm an independent investigation has concluded there is no evidence to support the assertion that SDS systematically bullied an athlete or that the athlete was treated in an unfair manner.

In total, twenty-six specific allegations going as far back as 2016, were made by a complainant regarding the treatment of an athlete. The allegations included claims of inappropriate or inconsistent behaviour or practice; a failure to maintain effective communication; exclusion from events; and a failure to support and develop talent. The independent investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by SDS, or any member of staff or volunteer coaches.

Twenty-four of the allegations were not upheld. However, the report highlighted two occasions where communication with the complainant could have been better. Allegations relating to these matters were upheld.

The complaint, lodged on 30^th October 2023, also alleged bullying by current and previous members of staff and volunteer coaches, and systematically bullying by SDS.

The independent investigation undertaken by Carmain Consulting Services, which commenced in early January 2024, found that allegations of bullying and systematic bullying were “neither plausible nor credible”.

The report also makes twelve recommendations aimed at sharing learning and development opportunities and strengthen organisational governance arrangements.

In response to the Independent Investigation Report, SDS Chief Executive Gavin MacLeod, said, “These allegations were of a very serious nature and they have been extremely upsetting for all concerned. It was important they were thoroughly investigated by an independent investigator.

“We acknowledge Carmain Consulting Service’s findings of their independent investigation and welcome the clarity and reassurance the report provides. Based on all of the evidence and documents gathered, their investigation found no evidence to support the claims made.

“Where communication could have been better, we will learn from the experiences of those directly involved along with the observations and recommendations contained within the report.

“We recognise the two incidents where communication has fallen short of our expectation and we resolve to use the learning from the report to strengthen our processes moving forwards. Along with our Board of Directors, our priority now is to take forward the recommendations from the report and we have developed an action plan which will help us achieve this.

We were pleased to note that our staff and volunteer coaches were described in the report as, “passionate, motivated, dedicated and determined to deliver the best services and outcomes for participants and athletes with physical, sensory or learning disabilities.”

“As individuals, an organisation and a sporting community, it is critical we uphold the highest standards and we are very proud of our values which are Inclusion, Respect, Integrity and Ambition. Our vision remains that sport and physical activity in Scotland continues to grow, thrive and is welcoming and inclusive for all participants and athletes including those with a physical, sensory, or a learning disability, their families and others involved in disability sport.”