By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator
The Impact of the Parasport Festivals: from trying a sport for the first time to performing on the national stage, the Parasport effect.
Just five months after trying wheelchair basketball for the first time at a SDS Parasport Festival, Farn Surgenor found himself competing on the basketball court for Scotland U14’s wheelchair basketball squad.
August 2024, Farn Surgenor (13 years-old, from Glasgow) was selected to compete in the final of British Wheelchair Basketball’s National Junior Championships 2024.
The U14’s squad put in a valiant effort, which saw them finishing in second place, heading home from the University of Worcester Arena with a sense of pride and a silver medal, just to top the week off. Farn described the opportunity as being: “really fun. It was nice just playing with a team as well.”
Farn first tried wheelchair basketball at the West of Scotland Parasport Festival. Farn went along to the Parasport Festival after it was recommended to him by a doctor. The festival provides young school children with fantastic opportunities to take part in a range of fun, inclusive and engaging activities that are delivered by some of the best coaches and clubs in the region.
One sport that was there and provided a meaningful impact for all participants was basketball, delivered by Tina Gordon from basketballscotland. Fraser Kennedy, the West of Scotland Regional Development Manager, explained that individuals attending like Tina Gordon, help to ensure that there are opportunities for regular involvement in physical activity after the festival.
“I think it’s really important to have sports where there are local opportunities and pathways to progress after the Parasport [festival] so that we can engage young people in sustained, regular activity in the community but also providing opportunities to progress through a performance pathway,” said Fraser.
Tina Gordon was part of the delivery team that introduced Farn to wheelchair basketball at the festival and he proved to be a natural player.
“I found it quite easy, as when I was younger, I had a wheelchair and I was used to using it. I also used to play basketball when I was younger as well,” Farn explained.
He continued to say, “I just feel chuffed” and, “I really liked the social aspect of it.”
Going into the festival, Farn was not aware of wheelchair basketball and the endless amount of opportunities that it can provide. “I didn’t know it was a thing up until then,” he said. The fact that Farn wasn’t aware of the sport is one of Fraser’s favorite aspects of the day. Fraser added, “My favorite thing about the Parasport festivals is seeing children getting the opportunity to try new sports they might have never have seen or tried before.”
Following on from the festival, Farn started to attend training with Lothian Pheonix. This training has helped Farn continue to develop in the sport, commenting: “It was quite fun, I was learning quite fast as well.”
Hopefully, Farn will continue to develop in the sport and have more opportunities to represent Scotland.
To be just like Farn and to find your passion for physical activity and sport throughout your region, contact your Regional Development Manager. If you have enjoyed reading about the Parasport festivals, make sure to have a look at the SDS website, with registration now being open for the 2025 Parasport festivals.
Make sure to stay up to date on all opportunities throughout Scotland, by following Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and X, as well as on the SDS website.