New fun boccia sessions are beginning for all individuals with physical and learning disabilities. If you are looking to get more active and meet new friends, these sessions could be for you!

• All ages and abilities welcome
• No previous experience required
• Equipment will be provided

The sessions will take place at St Maurice’s High School, North Road, Cumbernauld G68 9AG from 5.00pm on Thursday 26th October.

For more information contact 01236 757657 ext 5256 or email mackayk@northlan.gov.uk / joergensenn@northlan.gov.uk.

Pan Disability Boccia Sessions Flyer

Forth Valley Disability Sport need your vote! FVDS are one of the many projects involved in the Aviva Community Fund that gives grants to local projects voted by you! If FVDS are successful is reaching the finals of this funding the branch will use the money to engage with inactive groups focussing on female participation as this is a proven gap in the Forth Valley area in terms in inactivity. Please take two minutes and vote on the link below.

 https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-2203

Our inclusive and accessible sessions welcome you to try the sport of wheelchair basketball in a friendly, social and welcoming environment.

Our qualified volunteer coaches will support you at a level that suits your needs in an inclusive, safe, comfortable and most importantly fun social environment.

Glasgow Club Kelvin Hall

• Junior mixed session (11-16 years): Sundays 1.00-2.30pm, cost £3
• Adult mixed session: Sundays 2.30-4.00pm, cost £4

Sports chair will be supplied or bring your own along. Participants must be able to transfer into a chair or bring support to assist with transferring. Friends and family welcome to take part.

For further information, please contact Glasgow Fever Basketball Club – www.glasgowfever.com / stacey@glasgowfever.com / 0141 287 5630

Whether you are aiming to be the next ParalympicsGB star or you are looking to get more active and meet new friends, these fun sessions could be for you.

• The Peak, Stirling
• Starting Monday 23rd October 2017
• All ages and abilities welcome
• No previous experience required
• Equipment will be provided

Curling for All – For adults and young people with a range of disabilities

The Peak Ice Rink, Stirling Sports Village, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ £3 for participants, one parent/carer joins in for free.

For full information see the attached poster.

Come and join our FREE Gym & Spin sessions on Monday 30th Oct, 6th & 13th November from  3-4pm @ Falkirk Stadium (side door to right of stadium).

Fun, fully inclusive indoor gym and cycling session to build fitness and make new friends.  Refreshments and chit chat afterwards!

For full information see the attached flyer.

Play is for Everyone …

NEW! ASN Softplay Sessions at Tumbles in Portobello

Come along and try our new weekly softplay sessions for children with additional support needs at Tumbles Softplay Centre in Portobello.

The sessions are every Saturday afternoon, from 5:30pm – 6:30pm starting on Saturday 14^th October 2017.

Play is an essential part of growing up for all children. Regular play supports children to lead a healthy active life, encouraging their learning, developing their confidence and creating opportunities for them to develop friendships.
At Edinburgh Leisure we believe that play is for everyone. We recognise that some children and families need more support than others to get active and stay active. For some children with additional support needs a busy softplay session might feel overwhelming. Within our Tumbles Softplay centre in Portobello we’ve created a specific session for children with additional support needs.
These sessions have been designed to provide an inclusive service for children with additional support needs. We feel the sessions will be appropriate for families of children with additional support needs, e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sight and Hearing Impairments, Global Developmental Delay, and Genetic Disorders.
What do you need to know?

• The sessions will take place every Saturday Afternoon 5:30pm – 6:30pm at our Tumbles Softplay Centre in Portobello
• Our first session is Saturday 14^th October; We will operate the service initially as a trial until the end of the year.
• Tumbles offers opportunities for all children to have an amazing adventure with carefully designed baby, toddler and junior zones.
• There’s a comfortable cafe with uninterrupted views across the forth serving quality coffee with tasty (and healthy) treats for both parents and kids.
• Siblings without additional support needs are very welcome to attend the sessions too. We want the whole family to be able to play and get active together.
• Sessions are free for children aged 0-6 months;  £1.50 for children aged 6-12months, £3.50 for children aged 1-2years old, £5.50 for children aged 3-10years old.
• In order to ensure that the sessions offer an opportunity to play in a less noisy environment with plenty of space to have fun we will initially offer limited spaces to 40 participants on a first come first served basis.
• Unfortunately our Tumbles Softplay centre can only allow one wheelchair user access to the mezzanine floor at a time; If you require use of a wheelchair to access these sessions and would like to talk through your access requirements please contact tommygeorge@edinburghleisure.co.uk in advance of the session to discuss attendance – We are actively exploring additional options for wheelchair users at our other softplay centres (Royal Commonwealth Pool; EICA Ratho)

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) are working in partnership with Edinburgh Active Schools and [EN]GAGE Sports Centre at Napier University to deliver a new weekly Boccia session for individuals with a disability across Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.

This exciting new opportunity will invite individuals with a physical or learning disability to come and try the sport of Boccia in a friendly and welcoming environment under the guidance of experienced coaches and volunteers.  The session is being funded through The Big Lottery Fund, aiming to remove barriers and increase the number of individuals playing the sport across Scotland – as such, there will be no cost attached to the session.

Boccia is a Paralympic Sport and was introduced specifically for athletes with a severe physical disability, however it’s also become a very popular activity for individuals with a learning impairment.  Boccia is a precision ball sport and requires players to propel the ball on to court by throwing, kicking or using a ramp while aiming to finish with their balls closer to the ‘jack ball’ than their opponent.

The session is open to all individuals with a disability, from primary school aged pupils right through to more senior players – we are confident the coaches and volunteers will make you feel comfortable and provide an excellent first experience into the world of Boccia.

Session Details

When:    Every Friday during school term time, starting on the 27th October 2017 (2pm – 3pm)
Where: [EN]GAGE Sports Centre, Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, EH11,4BN
Who:      Individuals with a physical or learning disability. All ages welcome
Cost:     There will be no cost

Please click here to view the flyer

If you are interested in this opportunity or would like to find out more, please contact Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or email at Neal.Herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com

 

Scottish Disability Sport worked in close partnership with East Lothian Council recently to deliver a pilot Boccia programme, the first of its kind delivered in Scotland.  The programme, Boccia Bonanza, is aiming to target individuals with a disability and introduce them to the sport of Boccia with Scottish Disability Sport providing the tools in terms of resources and basic skills, increasing knowledge and understanding of the sport so school staff can replicate and facilitate delivery on a regular basis within the school environment.

Boccia is a Paralympic sport and is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function, however can be played by anyone who has an interest.  Individuals can throw, kick or use a ramp to propel the ball onto a playing area, aiming to deliver their ball closer to the jack ball than their opponent.

The Boccia Bonanza programme is aiming to introduce the sport in a fun and engaging way, looking to increase the number of individuals playing the game across the country.  The programme includes a set of eight different stations in a circuit format, inviting players to deliver key skills involved in the sport through a variety of enjoyable practices.  Scottish Disability Sport worked closely with four schools in East Lothian – Ross High School (Tranent), Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School (Tranent), The Cover at Dunbar Primary School and Meadowpark (Haddington).

In addition to the Boccia Bonanza, Scottish Disability Sport recently delivered a version of the UK Disability Inclusion Training (UKDIT) as part of the East Lothian Senior Pupil Coach Education programme.  This training workshop welcomed senior pupils from across the local authority, looking to increase their knowledge, understanding and confidence in disability sport.  The workshop also included the resources involved in the Boccia Bonanza programme, providing the senior pupils with the tools to deliver lunch time / after school clubs for young people from their own school who may be interested in playing the sport on a regular basis.

There are a number of local Boccia sessions running across the East of Scotland, with an exciting new session scheduled to start on Friday 27^th October at ENGAGE Sports Centre, Napier University, Edinburgh. 

If you are interested in this opportunity or would like to hear more about Boccia, please contact Scottish Disability Sport Regional Manager Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Name: Ciara Roulston

Branch: Angus Disability Sport

Sport: Paratriathlon

Squads: GB Paratriathlon Development Squad & Triathlon Scotland Academy Squad

How did you get involved in your sport? Discover Your Para Potential campaign after watching the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

How long have you been playing your sport for? Almost a year, I attended the Tri4Tokyo ID in November 2016 and made the development squad shortly afterwards.

Biggest Strength (as an athlete): I am a fast learner and take on advice and tips from my coaches quickly.

What’s the best thing about your sport? I enjoy the variation in training and competition. With three disciplines to master, there’s always something different to do!

What equipment do you need to take part in your sport? Wetsuit, trisuit, goggles, swimming cap, road bike, cycle helmet, cycle prosthesis, tri/cycle shoes, running shoes and hopefully, if the sun’s out my sunglasses.

Greatest sporting achievement: Making the squad.

Favourite Para-athlete: Claire Cunningham, she gives me lots of help and advice.

Favourite athlete to compete against: I would love to compete against Lauren Steadman who is the current top GB paratriathlete in my classification (PTS5). Although I’m always happy for a bit of friendly competition with anyone.

Any advice for someone interested in your sport? The water is always colder than it looks!