By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

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The East of Scotland Parasport Festival took place on Tuesday 19th March. It was held at Winchburgh Academy, West Lothian. The festival was organised by Helen Kallow, East of Scotland Regional Development Manager in partnership with many local and national organisations. The day had lots of fantastic opportunities for fun and engagement, with around 50 participants attending. Some of these opportunities were boccia, wheelchair basketball, badminton, swimming, and kayaking.

Helen viewed the day as a huge success. “It was fantastic to see all the smiling faces and hear all the positive comments from the parents and teachers about the sports the kids had enjoyed. It was great teamwork”.

Helen continued to say, “I think it’s so important. All the comments have been that the kids have tried things that they never would have tried before. Some of the parents thought that the kids might have been reluctant but just to see other similar people take part, coaches, and helpers as well, it’s been such a positive experience for them”.

“I just think of watching the smile and the face of one of the girls in the canoe, who never thought that she could be in a canoe and what a great time she had”, said Helen.

Each Parasport Festival relies on multiple organisations, coaches, and volunteers to help with the planning and delivery of the day. One individual who played a crucial role was Demi Mitchell, Active Schools Coordinator Lead for Additional Support Needs and Care Experience within West Lothian. “I am at the Parasport Festival from the local authority as I’ve been working in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, and we are proud to host the event at Winchburgh and West Lothian today. So, I am here helping to organise, support the event, ensuring that everybody has the most enjoyable time.”

Demi further explained the crucial role that the Parasport Festival play: “We know those that attend a mainstream school or mainstream setting can be excluded and left out of sport, which is something we really don’t want. So, I think this is a huge opportunity to show thousands of people, staff, volunteers, and young people that they can take part in sport and by also providing access, demonstrating to those young people that everything is possible. Some of these young people don’t know what’s out there”.

This view is also shared by Fee, a parent and guardian for two children at the festival. Fee talked about the Parasport Festivals providing opportunities that are not always available for young individuals with a disability: “they absolutely loved the first one [Parasport Festival]. It gave them the opportunity to try things that they’d not tried before and things that are not available to them where we live.”

One of the coaches that delivered sessions on the day was, Pamela Robson, National Disability Pathways Officer for Scottish Athletics. Pamala talked about the role that the Parasport Festival plays in providing opportunities from an early age, and the value that she puts on this.

“I feel like the sooner we can get kids into sport the better breaking down barriers before they are there. If we can get children as young as possible to try different sports and realise that they can do it, that there is a way for everyone to participate, then it can only be a positive.” Said Pamela.

She further showcased some of the partner work that is involved in the Parasport Festivals. “In this area we have coaches from three different clubs coming to deliver today. So, we’ve got Corstorphine AC who run a frame running session.

“We’ve got Team East Lothian, who do athletics and frame running and we have a club from Fife who support the frame running as well. But there’s also a few clubs in the local area that offer athletics to people with a disability and have started to develop the bespoke frame running sessions as well. So, it’s amazing to see them here today developing opportunities for people in the area but also for them to see just what the demand is.”

If you would like to find out more information about Scottish Disability Sport’s work or how to find out what is available in your local area please go to contact SDS on 0131 317 1130 or by email at: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager 

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It was another successful Parasport Festival as Tayside welcomed 57 participants to their event on Wednesday 6th March.  

Dundee & Angus College hosted the Parasport Festival which saw children and young people participate in nine different sports, including: athletics, judo, fencing, goalball, boccia, badminton, basketball, football and cycling.  

Graeme Doig, Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) Regional Development Manager for Tayside, said: “We’ve all enjoyed another wonderful Parasport Festival in Tayside, and it was great to see so many pupils with smiles on their faces all day long learning new skills, increasing confidence and making new friends.” 

Out of the 57 participants, 20 attended for the first time, which is a positive indicator of the increase in Parasport awareness within the region.  

The event was a great celebration for the community, as three local authorities (Angus, Dundee City and Perth & Kinross) supported the Parasport Festival with children/young people attending from across 28 schools.  

“The local clubs involved, along with Sports students from Dundee & Angus College, led the way with their sport, introduced adaptative equipment and demonstrated that with the right support and small adaptations, sport really is for everyone”, said Graeme Doig.  

Elite Para athlete, Rory McKinna, was at the Parasport Festival showcasing his sport, Para sailing. Rory provided a talk to explain about Para sailing and even brought in one of his training boats.  

“Probably one of the best things about the Parasport festival is the diversity of sports availabl”, said Rory. 

He continued to say, “Quite often there’s things that you might not have the opportunity to see, just on a day-to-day basis. Sailing for instance, kayaking. They’re based on the water so if you’re not near the water then you might not naturally see those sports. So, coming along today you’ll get introduced to a bunch of things that you might have never considered before and you never know, it might just be the sport for you.” 

Dundee City Council was represented by members of the Deaf Education Team from the Accessibility and Inclusion Service. They remarked on the Parasport Festival, saying: “We are delighted once again to be a part of Tayside Parasport Festival in Dundee. We always love to support this event because the organistaion is excellent, the communication and explanation of all events and all the activities is of an excellent standard and it is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to come together and it shows the power of breaking down barriers through sport and the power of experiential earning for all our learners.” 

Tayside will be hosting a second day for water sports, including swimming. More details for day two will be confirmed at a later date.

Forth Valley’s Parasport Festival will be taking place on Wednesday 14th March, which leaves the East of Scotland and Shetland. To find out more about SDS’s Parasport Festivals, visit here.  

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

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The Dumfries and Galloway Parasport Festival took place on Tuesday 27th February. The festival was held in DG1 Leisure complex, where various sports were being provided with fantastic opportunities to participate in; Swimming, Judo, Boccia and Pickleball.

SDS’s Dumfries and Galloway Regional Development Manager, Dianne Campbell, along with branch colleagues and the support of local sporting clubs, organised and delivered activities on the day.

Dianne believes that everyone played a crucial role in the festival and highlighted the partnership working that goes into such occasions by listing many of those involved. Thanks to Laura Vickers, Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport (DGDS) Branch Coordinator, Dave Denholm, DGDS Chair, Dave Watt, DGDS Boccia Coach, Dumfries College Students, Dumfries High Sports Leaders, Paul Wilson from Scottish Swimming and coaches from the venue, Luke Struthers and JudoScotland coaches and Ryan and Charlie for Pickleball.

The event was fortunate to benefit from the support of volunteers from Dumfries and Galloway College. The students decided to volunteer at the event as they saw it to be a great opportunity to gain some practical experience.

One student, Kieran, explained, “I have enjoyed my day because I have learned something new”.

Kieran further explained that the day created a number of opportunities to work with a new range of participants: “It’s with a group of children that you don’t often get the chance to work with”.

Dianne believes that the Parasport Festival was a success, with a total of 20 participants: 14 boys and six girls. Numbers were up from the 12 attendees in the previous year.

When reflecting on the day, Dianne said, “I was delighted how the Dumfries Parasport event went and it was lovely to see an increase in numbers of children attending this year. So many positive comments from teachers, parents and children attending. We are already looking forward to next year’s event!”

There are still opportunities to find out more about your local Parasport festival and attend, visit https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/parasport-festivals-2024-dates-announced/

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager 

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Over one hundred children attended the West of Scotland’s Parasport Festival, which took place at On-X Linwood on Monday 4th March.  

It was the second highest number of participants to ever attend a Parasport Festival in the West of Scotland.  

Participants got to try a diverse variety of sports: athletics, cricket, powerchair football, football, basketball, swimming, boccia, badminton, Para canoe, tennis, table tennis and snow sports.  

Having just joined Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) at the end of last year, it was the first Parasport Festival that Fraser Kennedy had to organise and it proved to be a great accomplishment.  

“It was a really fantastic day, to have over 100 children attending from all across the West of Scotland was a huge success”, said the Regional Development Manager for the West.  

“The day itself ran incredibly well thanks to all the students from City of Glasgow College and the coaches from the SGBs (Scottish Governing Bodies) and the community clubs that delivered a total of 13 different sports, ” Fraser said.  

The event attracted returning participants as well as welcoming 74 children and young people to their first ever Parasport Festival. 

“Ellie’s been before and she really enjoyed it”, said Andrea Martindale, Ellie’s mum. 

“She loves the variety of sports. She’s doing some sports that she’s never even tried before. She loves that.” 

As well as taking part in sport, Parasport Festivals provide a unique opportunity for children and young people to socialise and make new friends.  

“She also enjoys being with people that also have disabilities, so she doesn’t feel so alone. So that’s a good support for her,” said Andrea.  

Basketball Scotland is a regular attendee at SDS’ Parasport Festivals and the sport proved to be very popular on Monday.    

“I love Parasport Festivals. We do them every year”, said Tina Gordon, Basketball Scotland’s Disability and Inclusion Manager.  

She continued to say, “It’s amazing to see so many young children playing, having fun and it gives us a real opportunity to find new players and introduce the sport of wheelchair basketball and basketball to them.” 

The West of Scotland’s event was the fifth Parasport Festival to take place this year. Upcoming Parasport Festivals include Tayside, Forth Valley, East of Scotland and Shetland.  

Whilst registration has closed for both Tayside and Forth Valley, there is still time to sign up for the East and Shetland. To do so and for more information about the Parasport Festivals, visit here.  

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager

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Disability Sport Fife welcomed 48 participants to their first ever Parasport Festival, on Thursday 22^nd February.

The event allowed for children and young people with a physical, vision and hearing impairment to try boccia, athletics, swimming, basketball, football, badminton, paddle sports (canoe, kayak), cricket, tennis and water skiing before rounding off the day hearing from some elite Para athletes including Paralympian, Derek Rae.

It was an all-day event hosted at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre in Glenrothes. Following its conclusion, SDS’ Regional Development Manager for Fife, Gayle Sloan, said that there were, “a lot of happy faces. Lots of excitement. They (the participants) were having fun and that’s got to be the main thing. That’s what we wanted to achieve today and that’s what we did.”

One of the main objectives of SDS’ Parasport festivals is to attract new people along to further highlight all the sporting opportunities and physical activities available in their area. 

42 out of the 48 participants had never attended a Parasport festival before. This included eight people who do not fully fully participate in PE at school. 

Kirsty Byrne, Disability Sport Fife’s Branch Coordinator and Administrator, commented on this, saying: “There were a lot of new faces that we hadn’t seen before coming from across Fife so it will hopefully be great to see them at our competitions and some of our sessions throughout the week. It’s really nice to see new faces and make new connections and relationships in order to facilitate that participation within sport.”

Kimberley Smith accompanied her son Patrick, to the Parasport Festival. Despite Patrick already attending sport sessions at both Pitreavie and Michael Woods, the Parasport Festival was still beneficial.

“Everybody is the same but different and it’s [Parasport festival] so inclusive. Some good tips and tricks for moving forward in to other games and just learning. Learning all the time with things like this”, said Kimberley Smith.

She continued to comment on how their learnings from the day could be applied at Patrick’s school: “It will be good for the likes of the football and boccia and other things that he could learn at school because he’s the only wheelchair user in the school. So, to learn tips and tricks here and take it back to the school and teach the school things, is just good. He can see it, try it, test it and take it back.”

Maree Todd, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport attended in the afternoon to see first-hand, the impact Parasport Festivals can have. “I really believe in the power of sport,” she said.

“This is a wonderful occasion. It’s a real celebration. There’s lots and lots of different clubs here who will carry on that relationship and that inclusion. It’s really powerful work that’s happening in here and everyone’s having a great time.”

(Maree Todd MSP’s full interview is available here.) 

Athletics was one of the sports available to try on Thursday. Pamela Robson from Scottish Athletics led the athletics sessions in the morning and remarked on participants having already requested follow-up information on the sessions available in Fife.

“It’s amazing. It’s exactly what you want and that’s the whole point”, said Pamela.

“We wanted to do this today so that people could take part in sport in their local community. We don’t want children with a disability to have to travel an hour to find a club that’s inclusive”.

Disability Sport Fife are planning a second Parasport Festival at the end of the year but opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity are ongoing through a variety of clubs and sessions. If you would like more information on the opportunities in Fife, please contact Gayle Sloan at: gayle.sloan@scottishdisabilitysport.com

For opportunities available outside of Fife, please contact the relevant Regional Development Manager here.

To find out more about your region’s Parasport Festival, visit here.  

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By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

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The Highland Parasport Festival took place on Saturday 3rd February in the Craig Maclean Leisure Centre, Grantown-on-Spey. The event provided children and young people the opportunity to try a wide variety of sports including boccia, wheelchair basketball and swimming.

Highland’s regional development manager, Kathryn Talbot-Heigh, organised the Parasport Festival – her first since joining Scottish Disability Sport back in September 2023. Kathyrn’s nerves were quickly put aside as she saw what joy the activities were giving the participants.

“There were a couple of kids that were looking a bit nervous when they came in, and I am now looking around the hall and they are all smiling and totally enjoying it”, said Kathyrn during the morning session on Saturday.

As the development manager for the Highlands, Kathryn believes that it is extremely important to provide rural communities with a range of physical activity and sport opportunities.

Throughout Saturday, Kathryn was approached by several parents that shared this sentiment, saying that, “if this had been in Inverness their children wouldn’t have gone to it, as it would just be a step too far for them”.

Another parent explained that although they had been in contact with sport governing bodies, it could be challenging for them to attend events as, “a lot of it takes place in the central belt, so although we are part of a community we don’t get the chance to engage very often”.

The diversity of sports that participants could try, was a significant contributing factor for attracting children and young people. Participants could engage table tennis, curling, wheelchair basketball, swimming, boccia and dance.

One participant called Samantha, who is a keen basketball and tennis player, said that she was: “really looking forward to trying out Boccia for the first time”.

Kathryn was supported by several clubs that provided expert coaching and guidance on the day, including Brian Stevens from the Inverness City Lions wheelchair basketball club. He said, “I absolutely love these come and try days”.

“The main thing is they [participants] have all enjoyed themselves, there are a lot of smiles and lots of laughter”, continued Brain.

The Parasport Festivals provide an opportunity to reach more people and increase awareness about disability sport. One parent explained that their child had been, “reluctant to attend anything with a disability focus to it”. Saturday proved to be a was a gamechanger for her son, explaining that he, “has really enjoyed his day, and hopes to continue participating in the sports that he tried today.”

There were many staff and volunteers who played a vital part in the organising, smooth running and delivery of the event. Fiona Green, a colleague of Kathryn at Highland Disability Sport that helped out on Saturday, said that she thought, “it’s really important to allow young children to have the opportunity to try activities that they haven’t had the chance to try before, in a great, safe environment for them to all come together”.

Fiona also talked about the excitement of this event “becoming a regular fixture” in the future, explaining further that it would be great to, “see just how much this type of event can grow and see all the different clubs which we can, to get involved”.

To get involved or find out more about your local Parasport Festival, visit here.