Category: A News

YPSP: Caitlyn Ross – My Amazing Journey this Season

Where do I start: this year has been amazing and went so quickly – like who can believe it’s November already! Now, people say new years are about trying new things and exploring new opportunities. I have definitely done that this year. First of all I have joined the Young Start programme and have done courses with them that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do anywhere else and will hopefully be a qualified swimming teaching and athletics level 1 coach and also an athletics assistant official by the end of the year or start of next year. I also will be doing my lifeguard award around Easter time next year.

I have also begun my journey with the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics which has opened a lot of opportunities for me as I have gone into the police academy and made my first ever attempt at public speaking, where I spoke about Myself and My Special Olympic Journey. I have also joined them on Torch Runs at events like the Special Olympics 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling in 2018, Forth Valley Flyers Athletics Championships this year and also Scottish Disability Sports Senior Athletics Championships this year. This has been an amazing experience so far and have met some amazing people that I hope to continue to work with and support them as much as I can. I would also like to thank them for the support they have given me too.  Also you can show your support and keep updated on what they are doing through their Facebook page Law Enforcement Torch Run – Scotland.

On the 23rd October SDS held another very successful Central Para Sport Festival, where everyone there got involved and tried a mixture of different sports. These sports were athletics, badminton, boccia, climbing, curling, football and power chair football, sailing and swimming. Also to finish off the Festival we had an athlete Q&A with our amazing wheelchair curling and wheelchair racer athletes Robert McPherson and Meggan Dawson Farrell as they told us about themselves and what their sporting journeys have been like so far and where they want them to go.

After the success of this event we have had participants from the Central Para Sport Festival join clubs of the sport they enjoyed and wanted to do more of. This makes all the hard work that SDS put in to run this event every year worth doing as we get more children and young people into sport that they might not get to do anywhere else. For any more information on this event check the article write-up on the SDS web page.

On the 24th October Forth Valley Disability Sport and Go Out Get Active held an Adult Multi-Sport to help celebrate 3 years of GOGA. This was also a huge success with everyone there getting to try some new sports as well as some of the original sports we provide at FVDS. The sports they got to try were Soft Tip Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Boxing, Table Cricket, Quick Curling, and MATP (Motor Activity Training Program). It was an amazing event where everyone taking part loved it and had loads of fun trying all these sports and loads of laughs were shared as they went round all the activities.

sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards 2019

What a night of celebration for SDS at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards 2019, held in the splendid surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers.

SDS won the Transforming Coaching Award for it leadership and mentoring programme, Young Start, which supports young athletes in their coaching journey. 80% of the young people taking part in the programme have gained qualifications. Exciting news is that SDS is now a finalist at the UK Coaching Awards on 5 December in London – #ukcoachingawards. Well done to all the young people who are now coaching sessions.

It is wonderful to note that the Disability Coach of the Year has been named the Janice Eaglesham Disability Coach of the Year and was won by Majella Kerr for her multi-sport work with participants on the autism spectrum.

And last but not least, Jack Calder (swimming) posthumously won the Lifetime Achievement Award – Volunteering.

Many thanks to sportscotland for an outstanding evening recognising so many volunteers, officials and coaches.

GOGA in Fife DIT for coaches and volunteers

Sixteen GOGA in Fife volunteers and peer mentor volunteers attended a Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) coaching and volunteers course at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Monday 18th November. This was the first of several that will be organised throughout 2020 and 2021 for new and potential DSF volunteers and coaches.

The course was tutored by Richard Brickley and Pamela Robson and supported by Spirit of 2012 through Get Out Get Active (GOGA). This was the last of many GOGA in Fife training opportunities that have been held for coaches and volunteers within inclusive clubs and the local authority since GOGA in Fife was launched almost three years ago.

The GOGA in Fife team strongly believe that changing activity behaviours will only happen if the GOGA in Fife coaching and volunteering team is supported by quality, relevant and regular training. Spirit of 2012 through GOGA has made this possible and there is a commitment to ensure training continues throughout 2020 and beyond. Scottish Disability Sport and other partners are making this possible by offering funding for new courses in 2020.

The programme for this most recent course was determined by the participants and covered the DIT principles of adopting a functional approach, relevant communication styles and the principles of STEP. The whole course was practical and covered warm up, carpet bowls, run, jump and throws, boccia, team games etc. The full three hours were fun, appropriate and engaging. GOGA in Fife volunteers and peer mentor volunteers committed fully to the learning experience and feedback was positive.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity

World Para Athletics Championships

The World Para Athletics World Championships in took place in Dubai from the 7-15 November 2019.  Scotland had seven athletes #represent Great Britain in the event, producing a host of memorable performances.

There was a tremendous double gold and two new World Records for Scottish RaceRunners Kayleigh Haggo and Gavin Drysdale.  This was the first time RaceRunning has been incorporated into an IPC World Championships

Gavin dedicated his achievement to his late coach Janice Eaglesham MBE: “Wow, I cannot believe it. I knew I would probably have to break the world record to win it. I want to dedicate this gold medal to my late coach, Janice Eaglesham. She would have been so proud.”

Earlier on in the competition, Sammi Kinghorn delivered a bronze medal in the T53 100m and Maria Lyle claimed double gold in the 100m and 200m T35 events.  In addition, Paralympic Champion, Jo Butterfield, won silver in the F51 Club Throw.  Libby Clegg competed in her first major competition since giving birth and her preparations towards Tokyo finished with a semi-final place in the T11 100m.

Owen Miller made his debut at this level and finished in a credible 6th place in the T20 1500m.

A full list of results can be seen below.

 

Gavin Drysdale Gold – 100m RR3 in World Record
Kayleigh Haggo Gold – 100m RR3 in World Record
Maria Lyle Gold – T35 100m
Gold – T35 200m
Jo Butterfield Silver – Club
Sammi Kinghorn Bronze – 100m
Owen Miller 6th – T20 1500m
Libby Clegg Semi-final – T11 100m

 

Scottish Wheelchair Curling National Pairs 2019

The 2019 Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association National Pairs was played over the weekend at Kinross curling rink.  16 pairs of curlers from as far as Preston to the South and Elgin to the North competed in 4 sections of round robin on Saturday to determine the ‘High’ road and ‘Low’ road plays–offs on Sunday.

After a highly competitive Sunday it is Congratulations to Paralympians Jim Gault & Gregor Ewan from Elgin who were the class pair of the field winning the ‘High’ road and the title of National Pairs Champions 2019.  In the final they defeated local favourites Ross Hatten & Leslie Barr who beat some very strong pairs along their route to the final.  Ross & Leslie also deservedly won the umpires award for outstanding contribution to the tournament.

The ‘Low’ road was also a very keenly contested competition with the Lockerbie pair of Daniel Cowan and Alison Cloudsley deservedley coming out on top.  Congratulations to both players.

Our thanks go to Kinross Ice Rink for allowing us to use their facilities, the addition of the new lift and increased space allowed the competition to run very smoothly, grateful thanks to the ice staff, umpire Harry Brodie and all the catering as well as our army of volunteers who we just cannot do without.

Our next tournament is the SWCA British Open at Hamilton Ice Rink, 9th to the 11th February. Please see the new SWCA Facebook page ‘Scottish Wheelchair Curling Assoction – SWCA” for info on this great sport.

West Cross Country

Thursday 14th November saw the 2nd cross country in the West Series take place at Ralston Sports Centre, Paisley.  It was perfect weather for the athletes to take part in what was their second time at this venue.

A total of 176 athletes took part over 6 races with some great performance on the day and some very close finishes.   Well done to everyone who took part.

Massive thanks to Renfrewshire Leisure for hosting/setting up the event, sports leaders from Park Mains High School, students from West of Scotland College, and WOSA for organising.

The next event in the series will take place on Thursday 20th February in Airdrie.  For more information on this please contact Stuart skerr@ashton-sec.glasgow.sch.uk.

The SDS National Cross Country takes place at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Tuesday 19th March.  For more information on this please contact Mark Gaffney: mark.gaffney@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Young Fife man inspired by GOGA is leading from the front

Matthew Blissett from Glenrothes is a young DSF (SCIO) member who has benefited enormously from GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012 Matthew works part time for Fife Council and over the past couple of years has signed up for a range of GOGA inspired inclusive active recreation sessions.

Matthew was one of the first members to take advantage of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Leisure Active card that now includes DSF weekly sessions run in FSLT facilities. Matthew appreciates that signing up for additional classes means that he does not have to pay any more now that he has a Leisure Active card. His most recent commitments are to inclusive hydro spin sessions on Monday with Megan and Friday with Debbie.

Matthew attends GOGA supported Wednesday 11 30 swimming session for adult improvers with additional support needs led by Kathy and Kirsteen. As well as being influenced by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012, the session has grown in popularity over the past year in particular. This has enabled an additional coach to be taken on board and the session to run throughout the year, including holiday periods.

Matthew is one of a number of DSF members to sign up for lawn bowls atDovecot Park Bowling Club in Glenrothes. Inspired by coach Mike Mowat the club has blossomed into one of the most inclusive in Fife. Participants with additional support needs can now access separate sessions or join in inclusively with everything this ambitious local bowls club has to offer. The club offers coaching and entry into club and Fife wide competitions. Over the past couple of years Matthew has entered for DSF indoor, outdoor and carpet bowls competitions as a result of his experiences at the Dovecot BC.

Matthew is now also attending Thursday multi sports and GOGA in Fife is keen that he becomes a peer mentor volunteer in 2020. GOGA in Fife hopes he will soon sign up for Monday evening inclusive badminton sessions but working hours currently make this very difficult.

Matthew has also signed up for the GOGA in Fife Paths for All 12 week walking challenge, using his own phone and Paths for All diary. When I checked his diary last he was comfortably recording eight miles daily between his work and full on engagement in inclusive active recreation sessions inspired by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012. Matthew is a popular young man, a true DSF role model and great asset to the Fife programme. GOGA in Fife supported by Spirit of 2012 is making such a difference to so many participants with additional support needs in Fife.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

 

Special Olympics Euro Basketball Week Comes to Scotland

Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to support the upcoming Special Olympics Basketball Development Day, celebrating the Special Olympics European Basketball Week which is running between 23rd November to 1st December.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.  More information can be found here – https://www.specialolympics.org/

The Scottish event will take place at Holyrood Sports Centre, Glasgow on Sunday 24th November and welcome individuals with a learning disability to come along and try the sport of basketball in a fun and friendly environment!  The format will see participants hone their skills under the guidance of experienced coaches in the morning before having the opportunity to play some friendly games in the afternoon.

This partnership event is being led by basketballscotland, Special Olympics Scotland West & local clubs Glasgow City Basketball Club & Glasgow Eagles Sports Club and supported by Glasgow Sport, Scottish Disability Sport and Glasgow Active Schools.  The aim of the event is to provide a platform for individuals with an intellectual impairment to try the sport of basketball and support anyone interested post event into local inclusive opportunities.  The day will welcome people of all abilities and no previous basketball experience is required.

For further information surrounding the event, please contact basketballscotland’s Disability Talent and Pathways Manager Tina Gordon on tina.gordon@basketball-scotland.com or 07734 845 950.

SDS Celebrates Ten Years of Para Sport Festivals

This year’s para sport festival series has come to an end with festivals happening in five regions in Scotland. This year alone 345 pupils from 193 schools in 28 local authority areas have benefitted from attending the events.

The festivals are designed to encourage pupils with physical, visual and hearing impairments in primary and secondary mainstream education, to experience a range of sports with the aim of being supported to engage in ongoing regular activity/sport. The specific target group for the event is identified in the SDS Equality Action Plan.

These bespoke events are very much a partnership driven by SDS Regional Managers with Active Schools Co-ordinators and Sports Development Officers from Local Authorities, Trusts, governing bodies of sport and local sports clubs and students from local tertiary institutions bringing crucial expertise to the event to make them happen.

Feedback from parents and carers demonstrates the value that the festivals bring to the young people attending. Ian Dryburgh, Grandparent:

“My grandson is visually impaired, he has attended the festival for the last five years, he we never knew the number of sports that were available for people with disabilities. It is fantastic. He has been able to try sports that he never would have the opportunity to try at the festival. He is a changed person. After attending the festival, he has gone on to attend a swimming transition squad and judo sessions.”

The impact of the hugely successful events is outlined in the Celebrating 10 Years video but some facts and figures at a glance are listed below.

Scottish Disability Sport CEO Gavin Macleod said: “The Parasport Festivals have grown over the last 10 years to become a focus point for introducing young people with physical and sensory impairments to a wide variety of sports and providing opportunities into regular participation. We would like to thank the numerous governing body and Local Authority partners across Scotland who have provided vital support to enable these Festivals to evolve.”

Facts and figures at a glance:

  • In 2019 SDS is celebrating 10 years of Parasport Festivals
  • 1963 pupils from over 250 schools in 28 local authority areas have benefitted from the event
  • After attending the multi-sport festivals 15% of participants have been supported to engage in weekly sessions or clubs
  • The male to female ratio has moved to from 80/20 to 60/40
  • In 2018 50% of participants attended the festival for the first time, providing evidence that the festival should be continued to be provided
  • 68% of participants have a physical disability, 21% have a visual impairment and 11% have a hearing impairment

Participants of the festival were invited to feed back on the impact of sport on their lives in a survey. The results demonstrated that: 

  • 98% felt better by participating in sport
  • 98% felt more confident in their physical ability
  • 93% got out more and were less socially isolated
  • 95% felt more competent in their physical ability
  • 91% felt more able to cope with life
  • 90% made more friends through sport

In 2020 the Paralympics in Tokyo will once again shine the spotlight on performance athletes competing in disability sport. Why not come along and start your journey just as they did? If you or any one you know has a disability and would like to get involved in disability sport please telephone 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com. #Getinvolved #SDSInclusivesport 

Para Sport Festivals 2020

West of Scotland: Monday 2nd March

Tayside: Wednesday 4th March

East of Scotland: Friday 27th March

Grampian: Friday 18th September

Highland: Saturday 26th September

Central Para Sport Festival: Tuesday 27th October

 

Aqua mitts are a success at GOGA improvers session

Working with local partner Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and national partners Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming, GOGA in Fife has made a strong commitment over the three years of the programme to providing learn to swim opportunities for adult learners and adult improvers with additional support needs. Recreational swimming was one of three core activities set up by Scottish Disability Sport at the launch of the GOGA programme and Fife has retained its commitment to all three core activities.

Supported by Spirit of 2012, the GOGA in Fife adult improvers sessions atMichael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre andCowdenbeath Leisure Centre in particular are flourishing with new members signing up on a regular basis. Teachers Kathy, Lynsey, Kirsteen, Gabby plus pool side peer mentor volunteers have had major roles to play in the success of the programme. Significant others from families, voluntary organisations and Health and Social Care have been critical to the programme’s success.

Discussions are ongoing about the future of all adult learners/improvers sessions established during the life of GOGA but partners DSF and FSLT are confident that all continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Funding is in place for 80% of the programme with the final fifth to be negotiated shortly.

Thanks to support from Spirit of 2012 through GOGA, Speedo aqua mitts have been purchased for the improvers sessions and what a hit they are. Learners are on a breast stroke programme at the moment and the mitts are helping enormously with technique work.

Sessions participants with additional support needs proudly display their new swimming mitts earlier today in Glenrothes. Thank you once again Spirit of 2012.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees.