Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), is the governing and coordinating body of all sports for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities who have a physical, sensory or learning disability. The vision of SDS is: ‘To lead inclusive sport in Scotland for participants and athletes with physical sensory or learning disabilities’.

An exciting opportunity has risen for a passionate and enthusiastic individual who is interested in helping achieve the vision and aims of SDS by specifically supporting the organisation in the field of fundraising and sponsorship.

The Sponsorship and Fundraising Director will help to shape the financial future of SDS by sourcing income through commercial support, grants, donations and benefactors. In return, SDS offers the opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills, volunteer within a sports context, gain experience in governance and learn about the inspiring world of disability sport.

To find out more about SDS and the work we do, visit the website and Facebook page. A copy of the job description can be found here.

To find out about the role, please ring 0131 317 1150.

To apply, simply send your CV and a cover letter to:

Janice Eaglesham MBE, Chair, Scottish Disability Sport, Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ

Tel: 0131 317 1150

E-mail: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Closing date 12 noon Friday 2^nd March 2018.

For the second year in succession, Derek Rae from Fife AC spent a month in Kenya for high altitude winter training. Following a long journey home, Derek turned up at his “old stomping ground” on Saturday for the Kirkcaldy Parkrun UK.

It was an opportunity for Derek to gauge how his legs were feeling after the challenges of intensive training and lengthy travel. Not surprisingly the Kirkcaldy athlete turned in a personal best.

Derek is coached by Ron Morrison and supported by the sportscotland Institute of Sport, Scottish Athletics and UK Athletics. The Virgin London Marathon in April is once again his main focus and all of his winter training has been geared towards that very special occasion.

Derek is an ambassador for Disability Sport Fife and a DSF peer mentor volunteer. Derek helps out at the weekly Wednesday Disability Sport Fife run, jump and throws session at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre.

One of the athletes who attends that session is Graham Law from Glenrothes. Derek made time after he had finished his run to go back and support Graham over the final stages. Typical of Derek and massively appreciated by one of his number one Disability Sport Fife fans. The special moment was captured by William Law, Graham’s father.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Fact: People with physical and sensory impairments are the least represented in sport!

In order to address the above fact SDS and partners offer young people with physical and sensory impairments who attend mainstream schools opportunities to engage in sport.

Para sport festivals are one of these unique opportunities and is an SDS flag ship programme. These events take place in five regions across Scotland and were attended by over three hundred young people from across the country in the last year. The purpose of the festivals is to offer young people of school age a level playing field of sport by attending the events.

Expert national and regional coaches lead individuals through a variety of sports that they can then participate in locally. Athlete role models will be at the events to inspire the next generation of Paralympians and SDS Regional Managers will follow up after the event to identify which sports participants would like to be engage with in their local area. Whether you would like to engage in sport to make new friends or get healthier or if your aspiration is to be a future sporting star, begin your journey here!

The month of March will see three regional Para Sport Festivals being offered in Tayside, West of Scotland and East of Scotland. Click on each of the events below for further information and to apply for the event.

Event	Date	Venue
West of Scotland Para Sport Festival	Friday 9 March	Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell
Tayside Para Sport Festival	Wednesday 14 March	Dundee and Angus College, Gardyne Campus
East of Scotland Para Sport Festival	Friday 23 March	Forrester High School, Edinburgh

If you or anyone you know has a physical or sensory impairment and would like to get involved in sport please call SDS on 0131 317 1130 or alternatively email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

 

For the second year in succession Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and Fife Athletic Club hosted round 3 of the East Series Cross Country on behalf of Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport. The venue was the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy and the organisers thank Kirkcaldy Rugby Club for access to their club pavilion and facilities for the duration of the event.

Despite temperatures as low as 2 degrees, 112 athletes and support staff made their way to Kirkcaldy and braved the conditions. Fife AC volunteer officials had the course marked out well in advance of the first event. “Ronnie on the bike” led off all the lead runners over 500m, 1K, 2K and 3K. Conditions under foot were challenging at times but all runners made it back safely and with a time to be considered along with times recorded at Peffermill in Edinburgh in rounds 1,2 and 4 of the East Series respectively.

DSF welcomed Lothian schools Harmeny, Cedarbank and Woodlands and Perth HS in particular to Fife. There was once again a strong Fife representation from Buckhaven Primary, Bell Baxter HS, Balwearie HS, Levenmouth Academy, Lochgelly HS, Woodmill HS, Madras College and Fife AC. Cumulative performances over the four rounds of the East Series determine the leading 2017/2018 athletes. There were many fine performances on the day.

The first race was 500m for Primary pupils and top three positions were taken by Harmeny athletes with Damien Millar recording the fastest Primary time of 2.26. Demi – Rose Dunsire from first timers Buckhaven Primary, was the leading girl in 3.28. Over the same distance Aaliyah Black (S1) from Bell Baxter HS was the first S1-S3 girl athlete to finish. Chloe McCallum (S5) and Rebecca Fairley (S2) from Balwearie HS finished second and third respectively.

The second 500m race for S1-S3 boys resulted in Ross Gray (S5) from Woodlands school recording the third fastest time in 2.30. Jack Hanley (S1) from Bell Baxter HS was second fastest in 2.18 and Shaun Carter (S2) from Balwearie HS was fastest overall in 2.10.

The third race was the first 1K event and involved all secondary school girls. Leah Ford (S1) from Lochgelly HS crossed the finishing line first in 5.10 and she was followed in by Sophie Coughlin (S2) Bell Baxter HS in 5.24 and Rosalind Penman (S4) Balwearie HS.

Race four included S1-S3 boys and Ryan Baird from Lochgelly HS (S2) recorded the fastest time in 4.34. Cieran Dunn (S1) from Levenmouth Academy had an excellent run in 4.53 to finish second and similarly Jordan Mooney (S1) from Woodlands School in 5.20 to finish third. The S4-S6 boys 1K was the fifth race and Cedarbank pupils Stuart Stevenson (S4) and Kyle McGrandles (S5) finished first and third respectively in 3.44 and 3.58. Richard Allan (S5) from Levenmouth Academy split the two Lothian athletes to finish second in 3.54.

The sixth and final race of the day involved the most experienced athletes running over 2K and 3K. Dionne Russell from Perth HS (S4) was the fastest girl over 2k in 14.19 and sisters Louise and Michelle Harley (S5) occupied second and third spots in 14.47 and 15.21. Pauline Latto making a return to cross country running was the first physically impaired athlete home in 15.51. Mathew Blair (S6) was the leading 2K boy in 8.23 and Nathan Dougal (S1) Harmeny runner up in 8.25. Arran Howe from Bell Baxter HS (S5) crossed the line third in 8.51.

Madras College pupils occupied top three positions in the boys 3k with Josh Gibson (S4) finishing first in 14.00 and Nathan Orr (S5) and Kieran Beaton (S5) finishing second and third respectively in 19.08 and 19.59. The senior 3K race involved Fife AC athletes Owen Miller, Sam Fernando and Carter Taylor and they finished in that order in 9.41, 9.55 and 11.44. Owen and Carter are coached by Steve Doig and Sam by Ron Morrison.

Well done to all the athletes, support staff and volunteers who braved the elements at the East Series cross country event. The Disability Sport Fife Cross Country Championships will be held in the same location on Thursday 17th May.

Photo: Carter Taylor, Sam Fernando and Owen Miller of Fife AC

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

 

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) enjoys a very special relationship with Fife Athletic Club. Over the years DSF members have improved their skills significantly as club members and some have gone on to become Paralympians. Colin Keay from Kirkcaldy and Caroline Baird (nee Innes) from Cupar are icons from the past who blossomed as Fife AC members. Derek Rae (Kirkcaldy), Owen Miller (Dunfermline), Sam Fernando (Gateside) and Carter Taylor (Dunfermline) are four Para sport athletes who are benefitting from high quality coaching from Fife AC coaches. Fife AC is a truly inclusive sports club.

On Thursday 1st February at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, Fife AC officials joined forces with Disability Sport Fife personnel to deliver round 3 of the 2017/2018 East Cross country series on behalf of Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport. 150 athletes registered from Fife, Lothian and Perth HS but on the day because of extremely cold conditions 112 started. Fife AC officials turned out in significant numbers to lay out the course and provide a finishing time for every participant. Conditions were extreme for everybody involved but the event went ahead as planned thanks to the efficiency and expertise of the officials involved. Many thanks Fife AC from all athletes who experienced cross country in Scottish conditions.

Disability Sport Fife on behalf of GOGA in Fife delivered the first stage of the “walk in the park” programme geared towards encouraging less active individuals to be active and often. “Walk in the park” events will be held throughout the year and tagged on to established DSF events. Potential participants must register with GOGA in Fife and participate in a programme of training walks. Walks are non competitive and participants will receive GOGA in Fife certificates. Contact the DSF office for further information or visit the DSF Facebook page for more details.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

 

Scottish Disability Sports are seeking to recruit a Communications Officer to undertake an internship.

An exciting opportunity has risen for an ambitious communications officer with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). This would be an ideal role for a current university student or someone who has just completed their degree and looking to gain experience in a challenging and dynamic charitable sector.

This is a flexible position and working hours would be agreed with the successful candidate to accommodate their studies or other commitments. Although this is an unpaid role, reasonable expenses will be paid and the successful candidate will be offered mentoring and additional developmental and training opportunities.

To find out more about SDS and the work we do, visit the website and Facebook page. To find out about the role, please ring 0131 317 1150.

To apply, simply send your CV and a cover letter to:

Gavin Macleod, CEO, Scottish Disability Sport, Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ

Tel: 0131 317 1150

 E-mail: gavin.macleod@scottishdisabilitysport.com

 

Closing date 12 noon Friday 23rd February 2018.

SDS Communications Intern – Job Description

The Parasport Festival is about providing a range of opportunities for young people with a physical, visual or hearing impairment to try new and exciting sports and learn more about the pathways that are available in the region. It will be delivered by some of the best clubs and coaches available in Scotland. Furthermore, the event will highlight the opportunities for young people with disabilities to achieve at the highest level and hopefully inspire them to become our stars of the future.

Sports: We have selected activities where we have strong club links so children can continue to enjoy and develop within the sports for many years to come. In order to allow every child to thrive on the day, children will take part in different sports based on their impairment.

Location: Dundee & Angus College, Gardyne Campus, Gardyne Road, Dundee, DD5 1NY

Day: Wednesday 14th March 2018

Time: Registration will take place between 09:45 – 10:15. The day will start promptly at 10:15 and finish at 14:00.

The application pack can be downloaded here.

Fixed Term post for 1 year (continuation is dependent on funding)

Salary: £20,520

Location: Office based, Norton Park, Edinburgh.

Hours of work: 35 hours per week although some evening and weekend work will be required to fulfil the duties of the post

Lothian Disability Sport is a branch of Scottish Disability Sport.  The organisation is a registered charity that develops, promotes and delivers a wide range of sports and physical activities for people with disabilities throughout Lothian. This is done through developing a school and senior sports calendar along with working in partnership with a range of stakeholders to deliver sporting opportunities.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about sport and, ideally, has experience of working and supporting children and adults with disabilities.  As Disability Sport Officer you will be required to project plan, co-ordinate and administer events run by Lothian Disability Sport and to organise and co-ordinate teams representing the branch at national events.  A key element of the job will be to increase awareness of the work of Lothian Disability Sport and to publicise the activities, as well as responding to enquiries from the general public.  You must have excellent interpersonal skills as you will be liaising with staff from the four local authorities in Lothian as well as with leisure trusts, voluntary organisations, local clubs, coaches, volunteers and other key partners.

The post will involve travel throughout the Lothian region and it is desirable that the post holder provide their own transport.  Appropriate travel expenses will be paid.

Closing date for applications – 5pm, Friday 9^th March 2018

Interviews will be held on 22 March 2018 in Edinburgh

No CVs accepted.  Application can be downloaded here or alternatively send an email to admin@lothiandisabilitysport.co.uk.  Completed applications should be sent by email.

LDS Coordinator Application Form

LDS job description

 

Further information about the organization can be found at www.lothiandisabilitysport.co.uk

Are you looking to get more active and meet new friends? These fun sessions could be for you!

Boccia is a sport for people with disabilities. These fun sessions are open to all individuals with physical and learning disabilities.

• All ages, abilities and disabilities welcome
• No previous experience required
• Equipment will be provided
• Starting on Monday 26 February from 6.00-6.45pm at Grangemouth Sports Complex, FK3 9JB
• Cost: FREE!

For more information contact Lisa Male, Falkirk Community Trust, on 01324 590 931 / lisa.male@falkirkcommunitytrust.org or Twitter @ASC_Lisa.

• Football: Palmerston Indoor Arena, Dumfries – Wednesdays 10.00am-11.00am
• Table Tennis: Loreburn Hall, Dumfries – Fridays 11.00am-12.00pm
• Wheelchair Track Athletics: David Keswick Athletic Centre – Fridays 6.45pm-8.30pm
• Weekly Activity Club: Loreburn Hall, Dumfries – Fridays 4.30pm-5.30pm
• Splash Club: Temporary Pool, Dumfries Ice Bowl – Every second Saturday 4.00pm-5.00pm
• Saturday Sports Club: Loreburn Hall, Dumfries – 10.30am-12.00pm

For more information download the flyer here.