SDS logo on an opaque purple background

Scottish Disability Sport Statement: Independent Investigation

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) can today, Friday 17th May 2024, confirm an independent investigation has concluded there is no evidence to support the assertion that SDS systematically bullied an athlete or that the athlete was treated in an unfair manner. In total, twenty-six specific allegations going as far back as 2016, were made by a complainant…

Hope Gordon on Her Medal Win in Paris, Representing Scotland and the Importance of Female Influences in Sport

By Bethany Lee Hope Gordon had an incredible 2024 Paralympics in Paris, leaving with a shiny silver medal in the women’s VL3 200m final alongside her ParalympicsGB teammate Charlotte Henshaw who took the gold. Hope is now a three-time world silver medalist in Para canoe, storming through the world rankings. Post-Paris, she hopped on a…
Alison Peasgood and guide Brooke Gillies running during the Para triathlon water to bike transition area. They are wearing their wetsuits and swimming caps and googles.

“Girls can do sport, we’re really good at it!” The Scottish women that smashed the Paris 2024 Paralympics

In honour of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, here is a roundup of all the Scottish women that competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and what female leadership in sport means to them. By Bethany Lee   The Paris 2024 Paralympics was a whirlwind event that ended with ParalympicsGB in 2nd place…
A young boy in a kayak in an indoor swimming pool. Two young ladies are in the water supporting him as he paddles.

Great Success at Grampian and Highland Parasport Festivals  

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice  The Grampian and Highland Parasport Festivals took place over the weekend (Friday 27th and Saturday 28th, respectively), officially starting the SDS Parasport Festival 2024/2025 season.   Aberdeen Sports Village hosted Grampian’s Parasport festival, with Lochaber Leisure Centre was the venue for Highland’s.   Having just joined SDS in early June,…

Scottish Disability Sport National Survey 2024

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is excited to introduce its first ever National Survey. SDS aims to address inequalities experienced by people living in Scotland with a disability or a long-term health condition when trying to be more physically active. To make sure that these actions are making a meaningful difference, SDS would like to hear…
Photo of Peter McGuire with his accreditation at the Paris 2024 Paralympics

A Magical Moment for the McGuire Brothers at the Paris Paralympics 

By William Moncrieff  Stephen McGuire made headlines at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games when he won gold in the men’s boccia individual BC4 – a historic moment for the Scot which was 20 years in the making.   What made the winning moment extra special was that his brother, Peter, was not only in Paris…

Get Involved and Try Goalball!

HAVE YOU BEEN INSPIRED BY THE PARALYMPIC GAMES? Northern allstars Goalball club, based at Sport Central, Northumbria University, Newcastle are welcoming new players! Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for people with a vision impairment. The Northern All Stars sessions are open to anyone regardless of their goalball experience and the club would like to promote their sessions to Scottish players…
Photo of Faye Rogers smiling and holding her gold medal on the podium

Golden Debut: A Recap of Faye Rogers First Paralympic Games

The Para swimmer left Paris with a gold medal in her first ever Paralympic games, three years after her accident. By Bethany Lee 21-year-old Faye Rogers can now call herself a Paralympic champion after winning gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (28 August – 8 September). The University of Aberdeen student had her crowing…
Photo of Callum and Jordon from the Young Start Programme

Young Start Programme – the Importance of Training and Developing the Future Generation. 

By William Moncrieff, SDS Communications Apprentice  In September – to celebrate sportscotland’s theme of #SportForSkills – Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is shining a spotlight on the Young Start Programme and all of the experiences and skills being learnt and developed by young individuals with disabilities across Scotland.  The Young Start Programme is a year long…
A young person with a disability jumping on a trampoline.

Young Start Programme Opens to New Prospective Coaches!

Thanks to the ongoing support of the National Lottery Community Fund, we are delighted to welcome applications for the 2024 – 25 Young Start programme. Purpose of the Programme The Young Start programme will empower young people (aged between 16 – 24) living with vision impairment, hearing loss, physical disabilities and mild learning disabilities throughout…
Montage of all the Scottish medallists at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Medal Moments at the 2024 Paris Paralympics

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have come to an end. Here are all the mighty medal-winning moments from Scotland’s Para athletes in the French capital. By Bethany Lee Sunday saw the grand finale of an incredible Paralympics, with Great Britain winning a total of 124 medals and finishing second behind the People’s Republic of China.…
Fin Graham cycles across the finish line to win the men's road race. He punches his fist in the air

Double Gold Glory for the Scots on Day 10 in Paris 

On the penultimate day of the Games, the Scottish athletes bagged another three medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.   By Lauren Cameron On Saturday (7th), Fin Graham and Stephen Clegg found the top of the podium whilst Hope Gordon secured a silver to help bring Scotland’s medal tally to 20.   Scottish rider, Fin Graham, secured…
Panel members at the Scottish Women In Sport conference

Scottish Women in Sport Conference 2024 – Safe and Strong 

Last month, the Scottish Women in Sport Conference featured a great lineup of inspirational speakers, including SDS’s YPSP Administrator Grace Stirling and Commonwealth Games Para Cyclist Laura Cluxton.   Laura Pilkington, SDS Board Director, hosted the session, during which Laura and Grace shared their experiences in sport.  They both delivered fantastic presentations highlighting sports’ positive contributions…
Photo of Layla McCloskey playing boccia and smiling

SDS Works with SQA to Make PE Qualifications More Accessible to Disabled School Pupils

With the Paris 2024 Paralympics having recently completed, SQA has published new guidance outlining the steps schools and colleges can take to help make its National Physical Education qualifications more accessible to learners with physical disabilities. Working with Scottish Disability Sport, SQA has updated the list of activities young people can be assessed in as part…
Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett with their gold medals on the podium. Gordon is kissing his.

Doubles Delight as Gordon Reid Becomes a Paralympic Champion Again 

Scotland’s wheelchair tennis hero completes a coveted golden career slam in Paris with Alfie Hewett   By Paul Morrison The unbridled joy was hard to hide for ParalympicsGB’s Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett as the pair fulfilled a career-long dream of winning the Paralympic title in the men’s wheelchair tennis doubles event on Friday (6th), day…
Ben Sandilands sprints towards the line to win the gold

Friday Night Delight as Ben Sandilands Smashes World Record in Paris on Debut Paralympic Games 

Three golds, one silver and a new World and Paralympic record were set on day nine of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.    Ben Sandilands won a sensational gold on his Paralympic debut in World and Paralympic record style.   The athlete from Fife, coached by Steve Doig, left his opponents in the dust as…
Photo of Sammi Kinghorn on the podium. She is holding up her silver medal and the red Paralympic mascot

Sammi Kinghorn Strikes Silver Again, on Day 8 of the Paris 2024 Paralympics 

Sammi Kinghorn wins her third silver medal in Paris whilst there’s victory in wheelchair basketball for Robyn Love and Jodie Waite   By Bethany Lee  Sammi Kinghorn has won a silver medal in the women’s 400m T53 final, bringing her medal tally to an impressive four medals (one gold, three silvers) in Paris.  The Scot…
Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett hugging after winning their doubles match

Gordon Reid Gets a Shot at Gold in Doubles After Singles Exit

The Scottish tennis star can look back on a busy day with positivity despite a gutting loss in his singles match  By Paul Morrison A defeat in the singles quarter final this morning didn’t stop ParalympicsGB’s Gordon Reid from booking a spot in Friday’s doubles gold medal match today after a statement semi final victory…
Photo of Sammi Kinghorn in her racing wheelchair holding the Union Jack flag and standing next to the official clock which shows her new Paralympic record time

Sammi Kinghorn Adds Gold to Her Collection Whilst Jenny Holl Completes Her Medal Set, at Paris 2024 

Sammi Kinghorn turns golden in Paralympic record style, on the seventh day of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.   The 28-year-old can finally call herself a Paralympic champion at these Games, after an outstanding race in the women’s 100m T53. The Scot flew down the Para athletics track to clock a new Paralympic record time…
Gordon Reid playing wheelchair tennis. His eyes are following the tennis ball as it passes over the net

Gordon Reid Prevails with Alfie Hewitt in Entertaining Quarter Final Doubles Clash

The ParalympicsGB duo showed their class on the clay again with a straight set win to give them safe passage to the last four.  By Paul Morrison  There was more joy at Roland Garros this afternoon for Scotland’s Gordon Reid as he qualified for the men’s wheelchair tennis doubles semi final with teammate Alfie Hewitt. …
Faye Rogers on the podium with her gold medal.

The Medals Keep Coming as Scots Take Gold in the Pool and Silver on the Athletics Track on Day 6

Faye Rogers Wins Paralympic Gold on her Games Debut and it’s a Second Silver for Sammi in Paris.    Faye Rogers produced a stunning swim in the pool on day six of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.  The 21-year-old put in a terrific performance in the women’s 100m butterfly S10 to take the title of…
Gordon Reid having just hit the tennis ball. He is playing on clay and is wearing his ParalympicsGB kit.

Gordon Reid Into Singles Quarter Finals After Vintage Display

The wheelchair tennis star shined in Paris’ morning sun to continue from strong opening display yesterday  By Paul Morrison  ParalympicsGB’s Gordon Reid showed no signs of fatigue after playing two matches yesterday as the Scot put on a dominant performance to defeat Japan’s Takuya Miki in the third round of the singles competition.  Gordon comfortably…
Stephen McGuire smiling with the Union Jack flag wrapped around his shoulders

Scottish Boccia Athlete Wins Paris 2024 Paralympics Gold Medal on Day 5

Scottish boccia star Stephen McGuire wins gold for ParalympicsGB and his first ever Paralympic medal. By Bethany Lee  Scotland’s Stephen McGuire just won a 2024 Paralympics gold medal on day five in Paris.  The star from Hamilton dominated the men’s BC4 individual final against Columbia’s Edilson Chica Chica – which marked the inaugural final for…
Stephen McGuire on the podium biting his gold medal

After 20 years of Chasing a Paralympic Medal, Stephen McGuire Gets Paralympic Gold 

Scotland’s Stephen McGuire wins inaugural BC4 boccia gold ahead of Nathan Macqueen’s gold in Para archery, on day five of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. It’s been the perfect Games for Stephen McGuire in Paris, who ends his fourth Paralympic Games with a gold medal in the men’s individual BC4.   A Paralympic medal was…
Photo of Gordon Reid stretching to hit the tennis ball.

Gordon Reid Makes Strong Start to Wheelchair Tennis Events in Paris 

The four-time Paralympic medallist won twice today to begin his quest for more success in impressive fashion  By Paul Morrison  Day 4 of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games saw Scotland star Gordon Reid take to the courts at Roland Garros to begin his events in wheelchair tennis. On a busy Sunday on the clay, the…
Podium photo of Jenny Holl and Sophie Unwin with their gold medals. They have their arms in the air and are smiling to the crowd

Scots Add Three More Medals and a New World Record to the Tally at Paris 2024

There was plenty of action on day four in Paris as the Scots scooped up a further three medals and set another world record, on Sunday 1st September.   It was a second medal in Paris for Jenny Holl, who piloted Sophie Unwin to gold in the women’s B 3000m individual pursuit.  “We’ve completed the…
Stephen Clegg raises fist and arm in air in triumph, after winning his swimming race in a world record time

World Record Breaking Swim by Stephen Clegg to Claim a First Gold for the Scots in Paris 

It was a golden swim for Stephen Clegg in the men’s 100m backstroke S12, who set a new world record on his way to claiming the Paralympic title.   It was the perfect start to his Paralympic campaign in Paris and the win marked his first ever Paralympic gold medal in Para swimming.   He…
Photo of Gordon Reid serving as he plays wheelchair tennis at the prep camp at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Gordon Reid Has His Sights Set on Reclaiming Gold in Paris 

Scotland is ready to cheer on a Paralympic icon as the tennis star embarks on contests in singles and doubles at Roland Garros.  By Paul Morrison The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will mark the fifth time that Scotland’s Gordon Reid will represent ParalympicsGB at the Paralympics, having made his debut in Beijing 2008, at 16…
Kayleigh Haggo shakes the hand of her opponent after her boccia game

Boccia Success Continues on Day 2 of the Paris 2024 Paralympics

Two out of three Scottish boccia athletes won their matches on Day 2 in Paris.  By Bethany Lee  It was another intense day for ParalympicsGB’s Scottish boccia athletes.  Stephen McGuire continued his winning streak and Kayleigh Haggo was victorious after a nail-bitting game. Patrick Wilson faced a tough match against the current world number one…
Photo of pilot, Jenny Holl, and Sophie Unwin cycling in the velodrome waving to the crowd. The Paralympic Agitos is painted on the ground.

Paris 2024 Paralympics: Day 2 Review

Scots seal two medals on day two The medals came in quick concession on day two of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with both being won in the velodrome (Para cycling, track).   Fin Graham faced off against fellow ParalympicsGB teammate, Jaco van Gass, in the men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit. The Scot put in…
Patrick Wilson playing boccia with his ramp

Boccia Begins on Day 1 of the Paralympics in Paris

Day one sees two wins out of three matches for Scotland’s Boccia athletes. By Bethany Lee Two Scottish athletes have won their first individual Boccia matches of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Patrick Wilson and Stephen McGuire were victorious today in Paris whilst Kayleigh Haggo was met with defeat against the current world number three…
Photo of Martin Perry playing table tennis

Paris 2024 Paralympics: Day 1 Review

Day one in Paris did not disappoint.   The Scots were in action in Para swimming, boccia, wheelchair basketball, Para cycling (track), Para table tennis and Para archery.   First up was Toni Shaw who swam a great heat to secure her spot in the final of the women’s 400m freestyle S9 with a time…
Faye Rogers swimming the butterfly

Faye Rogers is Ready to Take on Paris

“Going to the Paralympic Games is just insane and I am so excited.” – Faye Rogers is ready for her Paralympic Games debut at Paris 2024.  By William Moncrieff  The 21-year-old Para swimmer – who studies at the University of Aberdeen – will be competing in the women’s 100m Butterfly S10, 100m freestyle S10, 400m…
Photo of Martin Perry smiling with his arms in the air

Paralympian Martin Perry Credits SDS Summer Camp for Introducing Him to Table Tennis

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice  “To say that I am a Paralympian it means so much to me that I genuinely struggle putting it into words.” – Martin Perry’s Paralympic dream has come true.  Martin Perry is a 30-year-old Para table tennis player who’s just days away from competing at his debut Paralympics Games, representing…

Charity hosts free Scottish Disability Sports Event for children living with muscle wasting conditions

Muscular Dystrophy UK and Scottish Disability Sport join forces to host a free Scottish sporting event on Saturday 24 August 2024.   The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions is calling on people in Scotland to join the…
Black and white photo of 400m Olympian, Eric Liddell. He is standing with the number 1 pinned to his running top.

SDS Supports the Eric Liddell 100 Legacy Project

We all know the theme tune of the film Chariots of Fire but do we know the story behind the main character, Eric Liddell? To find out more about him, watch this short video, Eric Liddell.   It has been 100 years since Eric won the gold medal in the 400m event at the Paris 1924…
Photo of Nathan Mcqueen sitting in his wheelchair holding his bow and arrow in one hand whilst the other arm raises his first in the air triumphantly.

Macqueen Targets Top Spot in Paris with Family By His Side

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager As the current world number two, Nathan Macqueen is hungry to regain the top spot and put on a good show for his family that will be cheering him on when he competes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.  The Paris Paralympics will be the third Games for the Para…
Group photo of the blue team from the SDS Summer Camp 2024, with their trophy. They are standing together, outside.

YPSP Member Shares Their Summer Camp Experience

By Dana Brand, Young Person’s Sport Panel member  At the start of July, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the annual SDS Summer Camp at Badaguish. As this was something completely out of my comfort zone, I really couldn’t have predicated how amazing this experience would be. Volunteers arrived the day before participants. Everyone…
Photo of the Disability Pride Month flag, which is a multicoloured block of stripes going from the top left to bottom right. The colours are red, yellow, white, blue and green. The background is a charcoal black. The SDS logo is in the top right corner.

Disability Pride Month Should be Celebrated Year-Round

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice Disability Pride Month 2024 is taking place throughout the month of July. This month is an opportunity for individuals with a disability to have a chance to come together and tell their stories. Disability Pride Month is about a lot more than showcasing what having a disability means. It is…
Photo of Alison Peasgood with her fist in the air

Alison Peasgood and Brooke Gillies (guide) Make ParalympicsGB Para Triathlon Squad

ParalympicsGB announces largest ever Para triathlon squad for Paris 2024 The team of eleven Para triathletes and three guides will compete in Paris on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 September on what will be a truly iconic course in the heart of the French capital. Alison Peasgood and her guide, Brooke Gillies, will be representing…
ParalympicsGB Archery Team Photo

Archery’s Nathan Macqueen Selected for his Third Paralympic Games

ParalympicsGB announces archery squad for Paris 2024 Scotland’s Nathan Macqueen is preparing to pack his bags as he’s heading off to compete in his third Games – the Paris 2024 Paralympics.  Joining him will be Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Phoebe Paterson Pine and Jodie Grinham, who will be 28 weeks pregnant when competing at Paris…
Photo of Wizzy Mills kneeling on the ground holding a hoopla hoop

SDS Welcomes Elizabeth Mills as New Regional Development Manager for Grampian and Shetland

“Summer Camp was one of the best experiences I’ve had.”  – Meet the new Regional Development Manager for Grampian and Shetland, Elizabeth (Wizzy) Mills. By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice   Elizabeth (Wizzy) Mills joined SDS’s Regional Development team as Manager for Grampian and Shetland region, in early June.   Wizzy lives in Aberdeen after graduating from…
Group photo of campers from the SDS Summer Camp 2024. They are standing outside on the grass

Summer Camp 2024: A Special Thanks From SDS

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice  It’s crazy to think that two weeks ago, bags were being packed for 27 participants and 26 members of staff in preparation for Scottish Disability Sport’s Summer Camp. No one could have predicted the immense amount of fun and adventures that were to come!    SDS’s annual Summer Camp was…
Photo of a table with lots of trophies on it

SDS Annual Awards 2024

Nominations are invited from those connected with SDS for the annual awards that will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 6th October 2024 at the Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling. It is important that there is a clear indication why the individual/group is being nominated.  Awards Nomination Form 2024 The Awards Panel will then…
Poster that is split with text and a photo. The photo on the right is of a young boy smiling and participating in sport. The text is on the left and says, get out get active impact report: supporting healthier, happier and more active lives.

Thousand More Active Thanks to the Power of GOGA

Get Out Get Active (GOGA) has released its latest impact report, showing thousands of people across the UK have been given the opportunity to be active thanks to the programme. Designed to support disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together, GOGA has reached more than 55,000 people since its inception in 2016. Funded…
Photo of a young girl sitting in a green kayak smiling to the camera

Summer Camp 2024: Day One

Day one of the SDS Summer Camp has been action packed with activities and despite the weather’s best efforts, not even the continuous rain could dampen anyone’s spirits.   After all the campers had arrived and settled in, the first thing on the agenda was lunch! The chef, Andy, treated us all to pizza and…
Photo of Grace smiling to camera. She is wearing a pink jacket and is standing in front of a river. Boats are sitting on the water and on the other side of the river is a street of multi coloured houses.

Grace Thrives in New Role as YPSP Administrator

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you applied for the role of the Young Person’s Sport Panel (YPSP) Administrator?    I am currently going into my final year as a Sport Studies student at Stirling Uni.  I’m a past member of the SDS YPSP and current member of both the sportscotland YPSP and…
Action shot of Dr Julie McElroy running with her frame runner during the London Marathon. She is smiling to the camera

The Inspiring Journey of Dr. Julie McElroy in the London Marathon

Dr. Julie McElroy, a woman from Glasgow with cerebral palsy, etched her name in history as she became the first female frame runner to conquer the iconic London Marathon. The marathon, a gruelling 26.2-mile journey through London’s bustling streets, presented physical and mental challenges that tested Julie’s endurance and determination. As a frame runner, Julie…
Portrait photo of Hugh Nibloe. he is wearing ParalympicsGB team kit and sitting in his wheelchair, smiling to camera.

Nine Scots on British Curling’s World Class Programme

British Curling announced last week their biggest ever cohort of Para athletes to be selected for the World Class Programme 2024-2025 season, and nine Scots made the cut. The 12 strong squad includes five Scottish Paralympians: Hugh Nibloe, Gregor Ewan, Robert McPherson, Gary Smith and Meggan Dawson Farrell, alongside Jo (Joanna) Butterfield, Gary Logan, Charlotte McKenna…
Portrait photo of Lynne Glen smiling to the camera

The Power of Pride

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice   June is recognised internationally as Pride Month. It provides millions of people worldwide with a platform to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.  Lynne Glen, Scottish Disability Sports’ Head of Development and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, believes that it is incredibly important to have role models in the…
Photo of volunteers Tori Nicol and Grace Mackenzie, smiling whilst helping at a swimming event.

The Impact of Volunteering at SDS Events

By William Moncrieff, Communications Manager  The National Senior Learning Disability Swimming Championships took place on Saturday 18th May, with volunteers playing a vital part in the day’s smooth running. sportscotland’s communication theme for the month of June, #VolunteerInSport, has provided the perfect opportunity to highlight all the contributions of volunteers throughout the course of the…