12-year-old Lauren Dempsey is a very determined and able young girl who loves all things sport.

She has a huge love of horses and horse riding, and when she was 6, Lauren started riding at RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Glasgow Group.  She rides every Saturday in a group session, and now riding without assistance, Lauren has in the last couple of years represented RDA Glasgow Group in dressage having won many rosettes and cups at West and Central Scotland regional level and at the Scottish Championships.  Notably, she has won the Scottish Championships twice in the past three years.

Horse riding is Lauren’s favourite sport, saying: “I love horses!  I enjoy the friendship I make and love competing in dressage competitions.  I also love the connection between horse and rider.”

Lauren’s favourite equestrian is Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, and Lauren hopes to one day compete for GB also.

Horse riding has huge therapeutic benefits.  As a physical and active experience it helps improve co-ordination, muscle control and posture, mobility and balance.  As a fun activity it develops confidence, communication, social skills, self-esteem and concentration whilst providing the opportunity to get up close to horses and ponies.

In addition to horse riding, Lauren is extremely busy with other weekly activities, with judo being another of her favourites.

Lauren is also just back from the SDS Summer Camp in Inverclyde which she attended for the first time.  She hugely enjoyed her experience and made many new friends.

With Lauren’s energy, enthusiasm and determination she is definitely a name to look out for in the future.

Tayside Regional Development Manager Jennifer Scally was kindly invited to attend Finding Your Feet’s social club in Tayside & Fife – ampu-tea. Finding Your Feet support families affected by amputation or limb difference, through a range of sporting initiatives and social inclusion projects.

Jennifer shared information with Finding Your Feet regarding sporting opportunities across the area. With a warm welcome, Finding Your Feet kindly shared information regarding their thriving group in Tayside & Fife and their wonderful members.

Scottish Disability Sport look forward to working with Finding Your Feet within the region. If you are interested in finding out more about sporting opportunities in the area, please contact Jennifer Scally at jennifer.scally@scottishdisabilitysport.com . If you would like to find out more information about Finding Your Feet, please contact info@findingyourfeet.net

Saturday 02 September 2017
George Duncan Athletics Arena, Gowans Terrace, Perth, PH1 5AZ
11.00am – 4.00pm

The championships are open to any athlete who has a physical, sensory or learning disability. Events will be divided into wheelchair user, race runner and athletes who are ambulant. Separate medals will be awarded for male/female and also for different disability groups.

Please enter the athlete along with gender, disability group, age and a current time or distance for the event entered. Athletes can do up to four events.

Events up to 1500m on the track, long jump, shot putt, softball, javelin and club throw will be available. Please note: softball (and bean bag) is traditionally for lesser able athletes and club throw is for seated athletes with a physical disability only.

Track Events: 40m (RR), 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m.

Field Events: Long Jump, Standing Long Jump, Shot Putt, Discus, Soft Ball, Javelin, Club Throw, Bean Bag.

Entry fees are £3 per athlete and cheques should be made payable to PH Coaching.

Please return your entry no later than Thursday 24 August to:

Jim Hunter
33 Viewlands Road
Perth PH1 1NL

Email:  j_m_hunter@btinternet.com

If you have any queries, please contact j_m_hunter@btinternet.com or 01738 633835.

Para swimmer and Gala Academy Pupil, Beth Johnston, became the school’s Sports Personality of the Year following a vote from her fellow peers.  A host of nominees were shortlisted for their achievements and dedication, across the sports of:  rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, golf and swimming.

The S10 swimmer has risen to prominence over the years through Gala ASC, Lothian Racers DSC and is now a member of the Borders Elite Swim Team – the Scottish Borders composite squad for the best swimmers in the region.

In a town where sporting tradition is steeped, particularly in team sports such as Rugby, football and hockey, this is a significant achievement for Beth and para sport as a whole.  Beth is absolutely delighted to be recognised by her peers and is honoured to receive such an accolade.

The young swimmer – who is targeting the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – recently returned from the World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA with two gold medals and is currently a member of British Swimming’s Para Academy.

The award was presented by Borders rugby legend, Tony Stanger, who attended the ceremony and provided an insight into performance sport.

With the IPC World Para Athletics Championships 2017 about to take centre stage at the London Stadium, a number of Scottish Athletes will be out to make their mark on the largest event since last year’s Paralympic Games in Rio.

The Championships kick off on Friday 14 July, where our very own Jo Butterfireld, Stef Reid, Sammi Kinghorn and Maria Lyle, will be amongst the very best that Para Athletics has to offer.  A noticeable absentee will be double Paralympic Champion, Libby Clegg, who misses the event through injury.

Reigning F51 club throw World Champion (and Paralympic Champion), Jo Butterfield, is our first athlete in action as she aims to defend the title she claimed in Doha in 2015.  She kicks off her Championships on Friday evening at 19:20.

Scottish Athletes’ Schedule (subject to change so check official website for updates):

Friday 14 July: 19.20 F51 club throw final – Jo Butterfield

Sat 15: 11.00 T44 long jump final – Stef Reid

Sat 15: 19.18 F52 discus final – Jo Butterfield

Sat 15: 21.41 T53 200m final – Sammi Kinghorn

Sun 16 20.10 T35 200m final – Maria Lyle

Tue 18 12.50 T53 400m heats – Sammi Kinghorn

Wed 19: 20.05 T35 100m final – Maria Lyle

Wed 19: 21.12 T53 400m final – Sammi Kinghorn (if qualifying)

Sun 23 11.00-11.15 T53 100m heats – Sammi Kinghorn

Sun 23 12.45 T53 100m final – Sammi Kinghorn (if qualifying)

Sun 23 18.51 T53 800m final – Sammi Kinghorn

Channel 4 is covering the IPC World Championships 2017 and events can be watched on TV or through their website http://www.channel4.com/programmes/world-para-athletics-london-2017

To be kept fully up-to-date on events in London, the following websites and Twitter feed will be useful:

http://www.paraathleticschampionships.com/

https://www.paralympic.org/london-2017

 

Twitter: @ParaAthletics

The sport of swimming was well recognised at the recent Lothian Disability Sport (LDS) Annual Awards ceremony, securing three out of the six awards with a special recognition honour going to an experienced para swimming coach.

The Annual LDS Awards were held at Norton Park Conference Centre, Edinburgh on Monday 26^th June and continue to recognise the considerable achievements and tireless work that athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs demonstrate throughput the sporting season.

The introduction to the evening were delivered by LDS Chair Helen Bruce who highlighted some of the key success stories over 2016, including some of the memorable performances in Rio for local athletes including Maria Lyle, Stephen Clegg and Scott Quin – and it was the swimmer from Loanhead who was recognised for that remarkable silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Brazil as he was awarded the Senior Sports Person of the Year for the third time.  Ex Lothian Racers swimmer Quin (27) was present to pick up his award from ex-paralympic multi medallist Jim Anderson OBE and this was just the beginning of the Midlothian club link as current Racers swimmers Neil Ferguson and Sam Downie were selected as the joint recipients of the Junior Sports Person of the Year Award.  Ferguson (15) and Downie (11) have both developed tremendously over the last 12 months, increasing training volume through additional sessions with Musselburgh ASC and being invited along to the East Regional Swim Squad to support their development as para swimmers.  This undoubted potential, coupled with both swimmers desire and determination culminated in them each receiving a classification at the end of the swimming season, providing further opportunities for development next season.

A major influencing factor for all of these swimmers was experienced coach Don McFarlane who has worked closely with a huge number of individuals with a disability and supported them to achieve their aspirations as para swimmers.  Midlothian man McFarlane has recently made the decision to take a step back from his position as head coach at key local disability club Lothian Racers, marking the end of a 20 year relationship with the club.  McFarlane’s knowledge and experience will be missed across the whole region and this was recognised as he received a well-deserved Special Achievement Award.

The Award winners from a swimming background continued as Lorna Forbes was recognised for her considerable time and effort towards the development of the Rainbow Squad, the disability section of Livingston & District Dolphins ASC.  The Rainbow Squad offer opportunities to swimmers of all ages, abilities and level of impairment as they coordinate and run a learn to swim programme and a ‘competitive’ squad which supports and prepares swimmers for the experience of local and regional competitions.  At the hub of this excellent work is Lorna Forbes who has been involved with the Rainbow Squad since its inception around 8 years ago, ensuring all swimmers are provided with the support they require to continue their development in the pool.

Bucking the swimming trend were No Limits (Multi Sports) and Team United (Football), winners of the Club of the Year and Endeavour Award respectively.  No Limits, who have been awarded the LDS Award on three previous occasions, continue to offer an extensive range of opportunities for children and young people with a disability through their Saturday morning multi-sport session and their dedicated boccia session.  The West Lothian club also continue to attract funding from external sources to offer residential opportunities for their members.  Team United were recognised for their introduction to the disability sport landscape as they successfully launched a football session for young people with autism in Edinburgh.  The session has introduced players to the sport and the team environment, developing a range of social skills alongside the physical competencies of the sport and were rewarded for its success through the LDS Endeavour Award.

The final award was presented to promising Wheelchair Tennis Player Rauiri Logan as the youngster from Edinburgh received the Jim Anderson OBE Bursary.  This cash award is presented to a young athlete from the Edinburgh and Lothian region who is showing considerable potential in their chosen sport and Logan (15) continues to develop and produce results that very much place him in this category.  The former Winning Wheels Wheelchair Tennis ace is benefiting from working closely with ex Paralympic player turned coach Kevin Simpson and has served up success in tournaments across Great Britain and Europe over the last 12 months, including last year’s School Games and competitions in Belgium and Italy in 2017.

Senior Sports Person	Scott Quin (Swimming)
Junior Sports Person	Neil Ferguson and Sam Downie (both Swimming)
Club/Team	No Limits (Multi Sports)
Coach/Volunteer	Loran Forbes (Livingston & District Dolphins ASC – Rainbow Squad)
Endeavour Award	Team United (Football)
Jim Anderson Bursary	Ruari Logan (Wheelchair Tennis)
Special Achievement	Don McFarlane (Swimming)

 

Dates:
Tuesday evenings 11th July to 8th August 4:30-7:30

To Book:  www.prestwicksailingclub.co.uk or call 0753146378

Info: 5 Tuesday evening sessions for those who are Visually Impaired or who are Blind. This course is run by our highly experienced and RYA qualified instructional team with basic VI Scottish Disability Sport Training. This course follows the RYA Certificate of Achievement Sailability Scheme and we can take you from Bronze level to Platinum level. This course is run in a double handed boat with an instructor on board.
Price: ￡60

Prestwick Sailing Club Flyer

 

 

 

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) was pleased to welcome the Get Out, Get Active (GOGA) Programme Manager Kat Southwell to Fife along with Ailien Pallot the Scottish Disability Sport GOGA coordinator.

GOGA is an exciting programme that encourages and supports disabled and non disabled people to take part in active recreation. The programme runs for over three years (2016-2019) and Fife is one of 18 selected GOGA localities across the UK. All involved areas have teamed up with an extensive range of partners to help reach individuals of all ages and abilities who have the greatest need to get out and get active. Funded by Spirit of 2012, GOGA in Fife is focused on inspiring some of the UK’s least active people to become involved in regular inclusive physical activity.

Kat was able to observe one of the weekly multi sports sessions at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre attended by over 50 adults with severe and complex needs plus volunteers and significant others. The session is led by a DSF coach with support from a member of staff from the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Registered GOGA participants attend the session and GOGA investment has enabled the employment of an additional coach to cope with the rise in participant numbers.

The GOGA initiative has encouraged DSF to develop a peer mentoring/volunteering programme and five of the new young peer mentors were in action during Kat’s visit to Fife. In any one week these young people are offering up to 40 hours of volunteering for GOGA initiatives. The relationships they have developed with novice GOGA participants with severe and complex needs have contributed greatly to encouraging them to be active on a regular basis.

The photo taken at the end of the visit involves peer mentors Robert, Stephen, Taylor, Adam and Leanne plus new coach Gayle Sloan. Also in the picture with Kat are GOGA in Fife Administrator Pamela Robson and Ailien Pallot from SDS.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife
GOGA in Fife Lead

Salary:                    £22 000 – £25 000 (dependent on experience)

Reporting to:        Scottish Cycling Head of Performance

Closing Date:        Wednesday 12^th July 2017 at midday

The Role

The role of the Pathway Coach is to ensure delivery of high quality coaching to young riders Under 18 year of age throughout the pathway.  The role will focus on Road and Track disciplines whilst also supporting pathway activity and initiatives in the off road disciplines.

Based at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, the post holder will work as part of the Performance Team and be responsible for the delivery of opportunities aimed at developing talent through our programmes including Regional Schools of Racing, Regional Academy of Cycling Education (R.A.C.E.) whilst supporting and driving opportunities in line with the HSBC Go-Ride delivery plan.  These opportunities will include cluster activity, youth training sessions as well as entry level participation initiatives such as our successful Give-it-go initiatives and introductory sessions to schools.

Interested?

As a small, growing organisation, we are keen to hear from ambitious coaches who have a good understanding of working with young people throughout the youth pathway and are able to work well alongside volunteer coaches as well as the numerous other stakeholders who play a part in a young athlete’s long term development.

The successful candidate will understand the various stages of the youth pathway from initial participation through the various levels of development and competition stages.  As a minimum they have an understanding of the various cycling disciplines and demands they present in all areas including tactical and technical as well as physical demands.  A self-starter, the they will be ambitious and highly driven, which will be demonstrated with a strong desire and commitment to continually develop in the role.  Additionally the successful candidate will have a high work ethic and be capable of working as part of a team, but also have the ability to work independently where required.

Scottish Cycling is committed to selecting staff solely on the basis of their ability to do the job for which they are being recruited, and welcomes application from all sections of the community.

Full details and an application form can be obtained from our website www.scottishcycling.org.uk or by calling 0141 554 6021. Applications received by email are welcome.

Job Description and Person Specification

Application Form

Equality Form

Interviews will take place week beginning 17^th July 2017

Scottish Cycling is the trading name of the Scottish Cyclists’ Union (a company limited by guarantee)

Registered in Scotland No. SC261263

Read more at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/20170629-scottish-cycling-news-Vacancy–Scottish-Cycling-Pathway-Coach-0#dKdpZ0IMfo6wvifm.99

Scottish Rowing is the Governing Body for rowing in Scotland.  It promotes participation in rowing by both men and women, at every age and level of ability from novice to elite.

Summary of the role: To support the Board of Scottish Rowing in its commitment to ensure that the sport of Rowing in Scotland is conducted in a safe and responsible manner by all member clubs and individuals by providing oversight, guidance and identification of good practice in rowing safety.

Job Purpose:  To act as the focal point within Scottish Rowing for all rowing safety matters, advising the Board and providing direction and guidance to member clubs on matters involving rowing safety.

Reporting Line:  The post holder will be functionally responsible to the Director of Sport Governance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaising with Club Safety Officers to provide advice and guidance.
• Liaising with the British Rowing Honorary Safety Advisor and ensuring that a constructive dialogue and free flow of safety related information is maintained between the two bodies.
• Providing a brief at all routine meetings of the Board of Scottish Rowing on the status of safety issues.
• Administering the annual club safety audit ensuring its content is kept up to date and relevant.
• Assessing the audit returns provided by clubs and identifying any trends or issues and advising clubs accordingly
• Operating an Incident Reporting process that enables clubs or individuals to report any safety events.
• Assessing reported safety events, conducting trend analysis and identifying Learning from Experience and providing periodic reports to Clubs and the Board.
• Providing support as necessary for the investigation of significant safety events.
• Identifying and promoting Good Practice in rowing safety and instigating safety campaigns to maintain awareness of safety requirements.
• Ensuring Risk Assessments and Safety Procedures are produced by the organisers of all events run specifically by Scottish Rowing and advising on their content and adequacy.
• Liaising with North Lanarkshire Council on all matters affecting the safety of rowing events run at Strathclyde Park.
• Escalating to the Board any emergent concerns where a club or organisation is failing to ensure adequate rowing safety.
• Conducting an annual review of the Scottish Rowing Water Safety codes and guidelines.
• Such other duties as agreed with the Board

Person Specification

Qualifications/experience/skills/competencies (essential):

• Health and Safety or regulatory compliance experience
• Competent in Risk Assessment
• Experience or knowledge of rowing
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to relate well to people on all levels
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to communicate clearly in a professional manner
• Self-motivated and robust when challenged
• Computer literate and confident in using word and data processing software
• Commitment to a strong safety culture

Desirable:

• H&S qualification eg IOSH or NEBOSH
• Event management experience
• Rowing coaching qualification
• Experience of using a Root Cause Analysis technique

How to Apply

Scottish Rowing are committed to appointing solely on the basis of candidates’ ability to do the job for which they are being recruited, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

To apply:  a completed application form, equality monitoring form and covering letter should be sent, marked Private and Confidential to Carol Ann Ellis, Scottish Rowing Centre, 366 Hamilton Road, Motherwell ML1 3ED or alternatively by email office@scottish-rowing.org.uk.

An application form and monitoring form can be downloaded from our website at:

http://www.scottish-rowing.org.uk/index.php/about-us/vacancies/548-safety-officer

For further information about Scottish Rowing please visit our website: www.scottish-rowing.org.uk

SR Safety Officer Application Form

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form_Blank