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 23^rd November to 1^st 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 24^th 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.

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 2^nd March

Tayside: Wednesday 4^th March

East of Scotland: Friday 27^th March

Grampian: Friday 18^th September

Highland: Saturday 26^th September

Central Para Sport Festival: Tuesday 27^th October

 

The first of two SDS junior swimming Championships were held last Wednesday at Grangemouth SC. These championships were for swimmers with a physical or sensory disability. It was heartening to see a new wave of younger swimmers from all of our regions competing against each other in the pool. This event has witnessed some thrilling swims over the years and one glance at the Championship Records (CRs) gives you an idea of the calibre of swimmers who have competed throughout the 42 year history of this event. Although no swimmer managed to break any CRs at this event, personal best times were set in abundance. SDS hugely appreciate the efforts out in by our member branches and regions in running qualifying galas and time-trial prior to this competition alongside the many weekly sessions to ensure swimmers are well-prepared to swim to their full capabilities on the day.

Inclusive Skating are currently implementing our development plan and there are several exciting activities currently taking place.

The Scottish Inclusive Skating International Championships 2020 are being held at Coatbridge on 17th April 2020, and more information can be found here: https://inclusiveskating.org/events

A quiet session is available every week at Braehead Arena with an online booking system (link below), held every Wednesday from 5pm to 6.30pm. This session is suitable for those who would like to skate but need a quiet session and a bit more help. Inclusive Skating volunteers are available but more are always welcome. The online price is £7.50 per skater and carer saving £1.00.
https://www.braehead-arena.co.uk/shop/public-skating/inclusive-skating

The Inclusive Skating Safety Accredited Advisor on line course is available free for members of Inclusive Skating as part of our volunteer development program.
https://inclusiveskating.org/memberships

We are particularly interested in expanding the number of volunteers taking the safety course because we hope to make inclusive skating activities available throughout Scotland. Our courses are online and activities in the future will include ice skating and in line skating that does not require an ice pad.

An Inclusive Skating Team will be travelling to Finland shortly to take part in the Santa Claus competition from Saturday 23 to 24th November.

Last, but by no means least, a team of four skaters, including Scots Jennifer Gibson and Jonathan Higgins (pictured), are competing in the Special Olympics Invitational Games in Sweden from 28th January to 5th February 2020.

A wave of 20 more finalists from five categories have been announced for next month’s prestigious UK Coaching Awards at The Tower Hotel London on 5 December 2019.

It follows the reveal of four category finalists on the 22 October and now means that two-thirds of the award categories have been made public, with finalists announced for Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, High Performance Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year and Coaching for an Active Life Award.

With over three million people coaching regularly in the UK, the Awards will celebrate the outstanding work a diverse array of coaches do in their community every day, enriching the lives of those around them and contributing to healthy and happy lifestyles.

The finalists so far are:

Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year – supported by sportscotland

• Elliot Donald (football)
• Jonathan Reid (bmx)
• Mhairi Guthrie (basketball)
• Sasha Moore (athletics)

Community Coach of the Year – supported by Spond

• Andrew Beech (multi-sport)
• Anne Glass (cycling)
• Joanne McElkerney (netball)
• Siân Ponting (netball)

High Performance Coach of the Year – supported by UK Sport

• Melanie Marshall (swimming)
• Nelson Lindsay (swimming)
• Shelia Swan (wheelchair curling)
• Zak Jones (hockey)

Young Coach of the Year – supported by Sport Wales

• Emma McCay (multi-sport)
• James Galt (football/futsal)
• Jonathon Dawes (tennis)
• Kieran McMaster (boxing)

Coaching for an Active Life Award

• Care About Walking (walking)
• Disability Sports Coach (multi-sport)
• Red Belt Challenge (judo)
• The Bulldogs (boxing)

Changing Lives Award – supported by Sport England

• Ben Lampert (football)
• Cathy Fox (cycling)
• Joe Lockley (boxing)

Talent Development Coach of the Year – supported by UK PCA

• Danielle Brayson (swimming)
• Matthew Handley (martial arts)
• Michael Maguire (boxing)

Coach Developer of the Year

• Nick Ruddock (gymnastics)
• Rhodri Lloyd (multi-sport)
• Sue Ringrose (horseracing)

Transforming Coaching Award

• Archery GB Coach Development Team
• Great Britain Hockey Coach Development Offer
• Scottish Disability Sport

Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, said:

“The standard of nominations we received this year has been phenomenal and truly demonstrates the diverse coaching talent we have in the UK.

“These awards are a chance for us to celebrate the work our coaches do every day of the week, and the role they play in making people around them healthier and happier.

“We believe Great Coaching has a positive impact on society and builds connections in the community. The power of coaching goes further than sport itself – it enriches life skills and gives people confidence to be the best they can be.

“Congratulations to all those who were nominated, and of course our finalists. The UK Coaching Awards is always a special occasion and we cannot wait to shine a light on the exceptional work of our coaches.”

For this year’s Awards, UK Coaching reviewed and redesigned its nominations process to ensure all coaches, from grassroots to the global stage, had the greatest chance of being recognised. This included:

• consulting with key partners to redevelop award categories and criteria to recognise the wide-ranging work that coaches do at all levels and in all communities
• providing extra online guidance to support people when writing their nominations
• engaging with more organisations than ever before to promote the value of nominating coaches for the Awards.

This proactive work led to a record number of nominations being submitted after the process was opened in July. These then went through a rigorous, independent and impartial judging process.

Still to be announced are the winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award, The Coaching Chain and finalists for the Great Coaching Moment of the Year prize, which will be selected by the Sports Journalists’ Association and put to a public vote – details will be announced very soon.

The UK Coaching Awards recognise and celebrate the work of people and organisations who are making a significant impact on Great Coaching. They shine a light on the role coaches play in transforming lives and inspiring an active nation.

The ceremony takes place on Thursday 5 December 2019 at The Tower Hotel London. Secure your place at a truly inspirational evening of great conversation and humbling stories that are guaranteed to touch the soul, visit: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/book/event?embed&eid=8328

Best wishes to Owen Miller from Dunfermline and Fife AC who will face the greatest challenge in his illustrious career to date as a T20 athlete with an intellectual impairment, when he arrives in Dubai for the World Para AthleticsWorld Championships from 7th – 15th November.

The former Woodmill HS pupil is coached by Steve Doig at Fife AC and has flourished since the two came together two years ago. Owen is now second on the all time British T20 1500m list with a personal best of 3:56.32. This has opened up this opportunity to compete at the very highest level of world Para athletics and earn him his very first full Great Britain vest.

Owen has had a very successful career as an international athlete competing in INAS European and World Championships but being part of a WPA event has so far eluded him. He is a proud custodian of INAS medals of different colours won indoors and out over 800m and 1500m but he has never given up hope of one day wearing a full GB vest.

Inclusion on the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy Programme for the 2018/2019 season came at exactly the right time for athlete and coach and they have taken full advantage. Owen was disappointed when he missed out on selection for the Paralympic Games in London in 2012 but he has never given up hope of one day achieving his dream. Similarly Fife Athletic Club, Scottish Athletics and Disability Sport Fife have always believed in Owen and thank you British Athletics for providing Owen with the opportunity to realise his dream.

Owen has a very supportive family and club colleagues who have been assisting with pacing in the lead up to departure date of November 2nd. Mum and Gran have been there for Owen at all times along with his brothers and sister. Fife Sports and Leisure Trust supports Owen along with all other high performance Fife Para athletes and Fife AC is nationally recognised for its commitment to inclusive practice and coaching over many years. Previously great Fife AC athletes like Caroline Baird MBE, Colin Keay and more recently Derek Rae have worn the GB vest with pride and no shortage of success at Paralympic and World level.

Owen is scheduled to run on Thursday 14th November around 20 00 Dubai time. DSF will make every effort to keep Owen’s followers and supporters informed about how he is coping with this chance of a lifetime opportunity to compete against the best T20 athletes in the world.

Owen has been a massive influence on the Disability Sport Fife cross country and middle distance programme and he has always been a superb role model for emerging young athletes. Owen has dominated Scottish T20 middle distance running for a decade and Dubai will be an opportunity for him to bring his learning of the past two years and before to the international stage of Para athletics. All of us in Fife and beyond congratulate Owen on his selection and wish him well.

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