Our SDS Tayside Regional Round up Autumn 2020 is now available to keep you up-to-date with our latest engagement activities in the area.

• Online Activities
• Virtual Parasport Day
• Virtual Pentathlon
• Tuesday Night Live
• SDS Young Persons Sports Panel
• SDS Return to sport guidance
• SDS Branch Conference and AGM / Awards ceremony
• Education and Learning
• Tayside Visual Impairment Sport & Physical Activity Group
• Get Out Get Active Tayside (GOGA)
• Local Disability Sport Branches

 If you or anyone you know has a disability and would like to get involved in sport in the Tayside region, please contact Graeme Doig – graeme.doig@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Now that restrictions have eased up enough for youth sport to start up indoors again, we’re delighted that Banchory Community Football Club has relaunched their popular Football For  All sessions.

These energetic and welcoming sessions are designed to meet the needs of participants and players of all abilities with any type of disability. Adapted equipment is available and the

coaches are highly knowledgeable and experienced.

Details of the sessions are as follows:

Where: Hill of Banchory Primary School, Banchory, AB31 5ZT

When: Saturday 2pm till 3pm.

For more info contact: Hugh McGarvey, 07775 826756, hughieua@yahoo.com

If you, or anyone you know, lives with a physical, sensory or learning disability in Grampian and is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison on

alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

A Grampian partnership has begun work on providing better opportunities and signposting for people with visual impairments as we gradually return to sport after lockdown.

The partnership, made up of representatives from RNIB, Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish War Blind, Grampian Disability Sport and local authority sensory support services, aims to identify and remove barriers to participation, support people with sight loss in attending new activities, encourage and support clubs and activity providers to become inclusive for people with visual impairments, and to reach out to people with visual impairments to encourage them to try new sports and activities.

The partnership also hosts a monthly service user group call where people with visual impairments can discuss their experiences of sport, hear from inspiring athletes and participants with sight loss, hear about opportunities that they can get involved in, and contribute towards shaping the development of sport and physical activity for people with vision loss.

If you’re a service user or service provider living or operating in Grampian, please get in touch if you’d like to be part of either of these forums.

If you, or anyone you know, lives with a physical, sensory or learning disability in Grampian is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

28 years ago Paul Noble MBE won gold in 200m IM at the Barcelona Paralympic Games in a world record time. It was an amazing race against GB team mate Dave Morton and the great Alvin de Groot from the Netherlands.

Paul remained loyal to Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club throughout his career where he was coached by Eddie Campbell although he enjoyed a spell under the late Drew Young.

Paul was a five times Paralympian who won medals in New York ’84, Seoul ’88, Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96 and Sydney 2000. An amazing competitor on the major occasion and renowned as a fierce opponent.

Congratulations Paul. Wonderful role model for everybody who has followed in your footsteps. Paul is a member of the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame, Scottish Disability Sport Hall of Fame and of course the Disability Sport Fife Hall of Fame.

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

Lucy Walkup is a very successful Para swimmer and highly respected Disability Sport Fife coach and volunteer. Robert Anderson is a Disability Sport Fife peer mentor volunteer and one of our most popular athlete members.

During lock down Lucy has been supporting Robert for regular power walks in and around their local community of Glenrothes. Lucy has shared these brilliant images from their walk in the Town Park earlier today.

Buddying is one of the most rewarding and satisfying activities for our volunteers. I am led to believe that despite being out of puff on their walks they chat non stop. Well done Lucy and Robert. Have you had your walk to day?

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

Athletes, volunteers, Trustees, parents, representatives from member organisations and Scottish Disability Sport gathered on zoom for the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Disability Sport Fife on Monday 3rd August. The Chairman delivered the annual review and coordinated proceedings. Treasurer Paul Noble MBE presented the annual accounts for 2019 – 2020 independently examined by Tom Foster FCCA.

Disability Sport Fife (SC048722) – Annual Review – 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020

The Board of Charity Trustees of Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) has successfully completed year one of operation with a review of membership categories, satisfactory upskilling of the Trustees and the introduction of more efficient ways of operating. The introduction of online banking has improved the financial efficiency of the charity immensely and even stronger ties with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust have improved our financial position.

The Get Out Get Active (GOGA in Fife) programme supported by Spirit of 2012 has come to an end after three years and its legacy is far reaching and exciting. Active recreation is now firmly embedded in the DSF (SCIO) constitution as well as sport and this is a direct result of GOGA. DSF (SCIO) is much more inclusive in ethos and practice and reaching out to more diverse communities because of GOGA. The DSF data base includes information on over 700 members of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory or learning disabilities because of the GOGA initiative. Succession planning and robust fundraising has enabled DSF (SCIO) to continue with all the participation initiatives established through GOGA. GOGA influences are here to stay in Fife.

DSF weekly sessions continue to thrive and remain the cornerstone of our movement. GOGA influences have led to higher attendances and a wider range of participant interests. Successful negotiations with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust have led to the employment of additional coaches and extra facility space. The expansion of the peer mentor programme has increased the quality and quantity of our volunteer force. The DSF programme of weekly sessions has never been stronger and FSLT has recognised its importance by including DSF sessions in Leisure Active, reducing costs for disabled participants.

Education and training remain an important aspect of the core business of DSF. The target is always to try and organise 10 sessions of training in conjunction with partners. In the year past DSF (SCIO) with support from GOGA, SDS and others has delivered training in safeguarding, first aid, autism, disability inclusion, inclusive swimming etc. Specific members of DSF (SCIO) have accessed Scottish Governing Body Awards and DSF is particularly proud that four Para swimmers from Fife have reached Level 2 of Scottish Swimming coaching. Fife has three young Para athletes on the Scottish Disability Sport Young Start programme and embarking on careers in coaching.

The DSF (SCIO) events programme continues to thrive with higher entries than ever and continued support from partners and sometimes sponsors. DSF (SCIO) can provide young sports leaders from Kirkcaldy HS with the experience of assisting at inclusive Fife sports events. DSF (SCIO) entered athletes and players for almost all SDS national events and won team trophies in senior athletics, indoor bowls, inter area bowls and sportshall. DSF (SCIO) has a very strong relationship with mainstream clubs in Fife and would single out Fife Athletic Club, Carnegie Swimming Club, Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club, Headwell B.C, Beveridge Park Bowling Club, Glenrothes Strollers Football Club, Enigma Gymnastics Club, Dovecot Park Bowling Club, Abbeyview Bowling Club, Windygates Bowling Cluband Dunfermline Tennis Club for special mention.

DSF (SCIO) is immensely proud of the special relationship it enjoys with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and Fife Council. It also values greatly the support it continues to receive from Fife Rotary Clubs, St John Fife, STV Children’s Appeal, Trefoil, Celtic Foundation, Russell Hogg Trust, Fife Charities Trust, Scottish FA, Robertson Trust, SDS, Education Scotland and others. DSF will always be indebted to Spirit of 2012 that supported GOGA in Fife, a movement that changed the organisation forever. Many thanks to the individuals and organisations that have funded specific bursaries to support emerging athlete members.

Congratulations to Fife high performance sportsmen and women whose ambassadorial qualities are second to none. We pay tribute to Derek Rae, Owen Miller, Sam Fernando, Oliver Carter, Alison Peasgood, Glen Livingston, Billy Allan and Mike Drever who continue to excel at the very highest level in their specific sports. Congratulations to Kieran Steer and Tyler McLellend who have made an impact in national boccia in the past year and the juniors who are showing considerable promise across a range of sports. In all aspects of DSF (SCIO) it has once again been a most successful year.

Many thanks to coordinator Norma Buchanan for her loyalty, compassion and considerable expertise. Many thanks to Paul Noble for always being there to advise, support and add his considerable financial expertise to the management of DSF (SCIO). Many thanks to Trustee Pamela Robson for being a large section of my right arm and fellow Trustees Carolyn Clunie and Maureen McSeveney for their enthusiasm, expertise and encouragement. Scottish Disability Sport officers Mark Gaffney, Heather Lowden, Lynne Glenn, Caroline Lyon in particular have been immense help during the year past. Last but by no means least thanks to Fife athletes, coaches, volunteers, peer mentor volunteers, families, significant others for being the best in the business.

During the short review of the year the Chairman highlighted the following issues:

DSF (SCIO) is now the employer of DSF staff and staffing links with SDS are now terminated. Fife Voluntary Action is supporting DSF with payroll arrangements.

107 members and friends recently attended the annual awards held via zoom. Mark Gaffney and Caroline Lyon of SDS assisted the Chairman on the night. The awards were recorded and replayed on Facebook. Many positive comments were received. Around 40 awards presented. The number of athlete members and partner representatives who attended was extremely encouraging. Fife Free Press and other local papers covered the awards. The Annual Awards were recorded and are available on the DSF Facebook page.

Chairman reported that the final GOGA report has been issued and circulated. It makes good reading.  DSF (SCIO) should be proud of all that has been achieved over the three years of GOGA which has seen the establishment of a new comprehensive database with quality athlete data; changing of the constitution to include active recreation as a way of life; the development of peer mentor programme in Fife and a significant increase in DSF volunteers, coaches and participants; DSF is proud of the fact that the core activities of walking, adapted cycling and adult recreational swimming were progressed as intended at the start of the project.  DSF is proud of the incredible rise in number of different sessions and thanks to FSLT support it has been possible to increase our coaching personnel; DSF is proud of the new partnerships that have developed with mainstream sports clubs; the many stories that have evolved in Fife and have been published throughout the UK are another highlight of the GOGA programme; DSF has developed a significant number of new partners as a consequence of the GOGA initiative both within Fife and throughout Scotland and beyond; GOGA in Fife has influenced much of the DSF way of working and there is pride in new initiatives like coastal rowing, gymnastics, inclusive walking football, inclusive martial arts, inclusive bowls etc.etc.

DSF delivered 28 events in 2019 involving 1,489 participants.  DSF delivered 10 education courses or workshops.  DSF supported 765 Fife participants to compete in 18 SDS events.  There are over 700 fully registered members on the new database supported by GOGA.  DSF has 6,200 Facebook followers, 20 registered member organisations and 20 honorary members with voting rights. DSF (SCIO) represents the interests of participants of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in physical activity including sports.

Check out the DSF Facebook page for news about everything that matters in disability sport in Fife and beyond: Disability Sport Fife

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

When I first became involved in disability sport on moving to Fife in the mid-70s, I met many amazing people who introduced me to a new style of volunteering. Up until then I had been heavily involved in school, rugby and community volunteering but turning my attention to disability sport introduced me to a new type of volunteering and a different kind of person.

Enter Ricky McMahon from the west of Scotland. I first met Ricky because he is the father of one of Scotland’s most talented wheelchair athletes – Susan McMahon Stevenson. Susan excelled in a number of sports but I had the privilege of working with her in swimming. Back in Fife I was working closely with parents of children with spina bifida and in the west of Scotland Ricky was an active parent member of a similar group. For the next 20 years plus or so our paths crossed regularly because of our shared interest in disability sport and children and young people with disabilities specifically.

Ricky was the” different kind of person” I referred to in my first paragraph. In truth he was at that time the most amazing volunteer I ever had the privilege of working with. I learned so much from Ricky about care, patience, resilience, thinking on the run, planning and preparation, selecting the right people for task in hand etc. There was a time when the first name on every staff team list for national and international events was Ricky McMahon. A Tulliallan multi spots training weekend coach/volunteer list was never complete until Ricky had registered his availability. Ricky was the best “wing man” you could ask for and on overnight projects you could guarantee he would be the first to volunteer for through the night duties.

The late Bob Mitchell was my first mentor in disability sport. Bob relied on Ricky so much and towards the end of his life when he was unable to drive Ricky was always there when required. Ricky was top of Bob’s Tulliallan volunteer list and Ricky’s role with Temple Swimming Club was massive. Like me Bob relied heavily on Ricky and recognised fully the extent of his caring and coaching qualities. The SSBA set up a multi sports session at Bishopbriggs Sports Centre that thrived because of input from Ricky and others. Ricky’s commitment involved everything from collecting youngsters in the minibus to coaching and care duties. An exceptional man and such a caring human being.

I must thank David and Elizabeth Colquhoun for sending me the attached photo of Ricky. In my photo archives I do not have an equivalent photo of the man I would describe as the most exceptional volunteer I have ever come across in disability sport. Ricky just had everything from immense stamina and staying power to amazing relationships with athletes and fellow volunteers/coaches. Ricky was much loved, highly respected and during his time in disability sport contributed so much to Scottish Disability Sport/SSAD during the early years.

Ricky will always be my role model disability sport volunteer and if this article ever reaches his eyes then it will make my day. Ricky, thanks a million for your many years of dedication to OUR cause on behalf of the many people whose lives you have influenced.

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

Cadyn Thomson was born in 2003 with Cerebral Palsy (CP). In Cadyn’s case it affects both legs. He’s never let his disability hold him back. Sport has been a constant theme throughout his life. His earliest sporting memory is of going swimming with his gran to the Perth Dolphins Swimming Club when he was 5. He loved the water, and for 4 years, swimming was unquestionably his favourite sport.

That changed when, aged nine, he attended a monthly family sports day at St Johns’ campus. The family sports day was organised by Perth & Kinross Disability Sport (PKDS). It was an opportunity for people in Perth & Kinross to go along and try a range of disability sports. In Cadyn’s case the sport he tried and was instantly hooked by was table tennis. It became an instant passion. And, thanks to his own determination and the coaching of Pat Duffy and Ralph Laahs, he was able to develop to a very good standard.

Football though was always the sport he was most passionate about. Being a Perth lad, he is of course a loyal Saints fan. And while Perth proudly has a Premier League club, unfortunately, it didn’t have a CP football team. Undeterred and thanks to the support of his family, Cadyn joined Syngenta FC who are based near Grangemouth. While the round-trip of around an hour and a half was far from ideal, it was worth it. He thrived and training with his friends became the highlight of his week.

Sadly, that wasn’t to last.

If you know anything about CP, you’ll know that young people with the condition regularly have treatments to help stretch muscles so that they can grow with the bones. In some cases, including Cadyn’s, operations are required. Cadyn has had two major operations to lengthen his hamstrings and reposition his feet. Following one of those operations in 2013 Cadyn lost some mobility and never quite got back into football.

At the age of 9 he was effectively forced to give up his favourite sport.

While this made him sad and dented his confidence for a short period of time, Cadyn’s remarkable strength of character shone through. He went along to his first Scottish Disability Sports camp. There he was introduced to sailing, archery and boccia.

“Going along to the Scottish Disability Sports camp helped make me become more independent as I was away from my family and home for the first time.” Cadyn Thomson

Cadyn’s first time at the camp was so positive and he’s returned every year since.

In 2019 Cadyn experienced wheelchair basketball for the first time after PKDS made him aware of a Basketball Scotland taster session. He was a natural and before long the sport was his new passion. It wasn’t his first ever experience of shooting hoops though. That came in 2015 when he had the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Florida thanks to the charity Dream Flight. That first basketball memory has really stuck with him.

“I made my first basket and that gave me such a sense of joy. That’s when I started following basketball.”

He now plays with Perth Eagles and Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports club. His greatest basketball achievement came in late 2019 while playing for the Dundee Dragons. Representing NBA team Utah Jazz, he won gold with his Dragons team at the Jr NBA event in Perth. An incredible experience and one that reinforced his love of the game. Cadyn has also started his journey to becoming a coach with the Eagles.

“I really enjoy this because I get to meet new people while gaining skills in coaching and other wheelchair sports.” Cadyn Thomson

And, speaking of wheelchair sports, he’s got his eyes firmly set on a new one. It’s fair to say that rugby league wasn’t a sport that held much appeal to Cadyn, but the wheelchair variant absolutely does. It’s fast, frenetic and a lot of fun. The skills he’s learned in wheelchair basketball transfer nicely to Rugby League. The chairs are different but he’s confident he can make the adaptation.

There’s a real universal truth in Cadyn’s experience. So many people with disabilities dismiss certain sports because they don’t think they’ll enjoy them. It’s only when they get a real, hands-on opportunity to try it for themselves. Much like Cadyn, they are pleasantly surprised by how much joy they get from a new sport.

“Sport has been a significant part of my life, having been an attendee at the Scottish Disability Sports camp for the last seven years. That introduced me to things like sailing, archery and boccia.” Cadyn Thomson

Cadyn is one of the most inspirational young people we’ve met at PKDS. Although he’d hate to admit it, he makes a big impression on everyone he meets. He’s also ambitious and is looking to complete industry recognised coaching qualifications in basketball, tennis and rugby. In addition to that, he’s keen to secure a place on the Scottish Disability Sport Young Persons’ Sports Panel.

“I would love to be on the sports panel to help bring disability sports into the more rural areas of Scotland. It’s vitally important we make sport more accessible for people who don’t have the use of transport.” Cadyn Thomson

We know that Cadyn will go on to achieve great things in sport and beyond. We’ll be following his journey closely and continuing to offer our support every step of the way.

“I’ve known Cadyn for a number of years now. Cadyn’s journey in sport is quite simply inspirational! Although he’s experienced setbacks over the years, he’s shown determination and resilience to bounce back. His cheeky personality and supportive approach make him very popular with his teammates and coaches. Everyone looks up to Cadyn. He’s a positive role model who shares his knowledge and experience to help others. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him as we support his development in coaching.” Graeme Doig, Perth & Kinross Disability Sport.

“I feel like if I can give people the passion I have for sport I can help support a new  generation of athletes. Ultimately, my dream would be to be a professional coach. As a coach, if I can make one person enjoy one thing then it’s a successful day. My message to anyone who isn’t sure, is to come down, give it a try, because you never know what you’ll enjoy.” Cadyn Thomson

105 athletes, coaches, volunteers, family members and partners tuned in on Zoom on Monday 22nd June for the Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) Annual Awards presentations. There were groups gathered around screens offering silent applause along the way as each of the awards was announced. 43 awards were made in 25 categories plus 7 sports bursaries.

Almost 100 nominations were received this year, indicating how the annual awards have grown in popularity in the last few years. All nominations were made through Facebook during these challenging times.

Richard Brickley, Chairman of Disability Sport Fife was the MC for the 80-minute programme with support from Scottish Disability Sport colleagues. Thank you to all those families and significant others who facilitated the attendance of many athlete members at the awards evening.

Martin Lee from Balmullo was inducted into the Disability Sport Fife Hall of Fame for services to Great Britain Deaf swimming and achievements at three Deaflympics.

1. and 2 – Access Awards (significant achievement in sport over many years Eric Boyle – Scottish Autism Emma Mason – West Fife CSS
3. Swimmer of the Year – The Leslie Inglis Trophy – Ollie Carter, Cupar – University of Stirling
4. Most Improved Swimmer of the Year – Paul Noble Award (Woodlands Parents Cup) Cameron Hemphill Carnegie Swimming Club and Cerys Venters Scott Carnegie SC
5. Athlete of the Year – Colin Keay Award – Derek Rae Fife Athletic Club
6. Most Improved Athlete of the Year – In Memory of John de Courcy (Jack Rennie Cup) Owen Miller Fife AC and Sam Fernando Fife AC
7. Bowler of the Year – McLean Award (Female) Pamela Mitchell Headwell BC
8. Bowler of the Year – McLean Award (Male) Glen Livingston Arbroath
9. Footballer of the Year – Penman Family Award – Leo Cord – Balwearie High School and Ryan Baird Lochgelly High School
10. Wheelchair Athlete of the Year – The Ian McNab Memorial Trophy – Tyler McLelland Windygates
11. Badminton Player of the Year – John Hick Cup – Robert Anderson Glenrothes
12. Junior Sports Person of the Year – Aileen Harper Award – Katie Pake Carnegie SC
13. Lifetime Achievement Awards – Gary Innes Award – Martin Lee Balmullo and Tracy Barber Burntisland
14. Junior Endeavour Awards – Caroline Baird Award- Christina Murray; Cameron Adam; Ruby McDonald; Niamh Currie; Finlay Davidson; Owen Carmichael.
15. Senior Endeavour Awards – Lara Ferguson / Andrew Lindsay Awards – Connor Brown; Carter Taylor; Jonny Brown; Mary Wilson.
16. Special Achievements Awards – in memory of Ian Cowper – Jaz McNeill; John Sapsed; Ryan Devlin; Pauline Bryson; Kearney Horne
17. Coach of the Year – Eddie Campbell Award – Steve Doig Fife AC
18. Emerging Coaches of the Year – Ann Swann Award – Lucy Walkup and Gabby Doig
19. Special Recognition Awards – Adam Morley Award – Mo McNeill DSF boccia coach
20. Volunteer Special Recognition – Anne Hay Award – Emily Greig; Andy Mathieson; Ross Cameron
21. Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Champion of the Year – Lee Cunningham Aquatics Manager
22. GOGA in Fife Award supported by Spirit of 2012 – Volunteer of the Year – Adam Faulds Glenrothes
23. Service to Sport – Steve Donnelly Award – John Collins bowls
24. Ambassador of the Year – Alec Thorburn Award – Janice Graves PT Woodmill High School
25. Member Organisation of the Year – David Thomson Award – Carnegie Swimming Club
26. Posthumous award was presented to Kyle Baxter from West Fife CSS for his significant contribution to Disability Sport Fife. Kyle is a former pupil of Woodmill HS.
27. Bill Pullar Award – was presented to Cameron Hemphill from Carnegie SC and Bell Baxter HS.
28. STV Junior Bursaries – were presented to Katie Pake; Cameron Adam; Finlay Davidson; Zoe McNulty; Tyler McLelland; Christina Murray

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

Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association in Helensburgh is a charity that provides therapy through horses to local disabled people – all supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.

In an effort to protect both participants and volunteers from Corona Virus, Gareloch RDA have had all activities suspended, since March, until further notice. Group Chair, Kate Bennet says “We support and work with many people who are more vulnerable to infection so we have made the decision to close our doors until the situation with Corona Virus improves. This comes at a big price for us, as without riders we have not got an income. Our loyal horses will still need feed, hay, and to see a farrier – possibly attention from vets, annual vaccinations or regular checks from the dentist, which all add up. With no clear idea of when we will be able to start activities again it is difficult to know if we will have enough money to support our horses until riding resumes.”

Gareloch RDA currently has 7 horses who support over 50 riders and carriage drivers. Research shows horse riding with RDA is not only fun but delivers physical benefits, boosts confidence, improves communication skills and helps participants to build relationships.

Louise Worrall, a volunteer and rider adds, “The impact this will have on some of our riders, myself included, who gain so much from attending our sessions, is huge – both physically and mentally. It has never been so clear just how much the time that we spend with our horses helps. In a bid to ensure these sessions can continue as quickly as possible we need to keep our horses well cared for, in work and fit.”

If you can support Gareloch RDA please consider selecting us for your Amazon Smile charity, look out for our Just Giving page, which is coming soon, or consider donating some time when we return to lessons!