As the daylight in the evenings extends and March approaches, SDS Regional Managers in Tayside, East of Scotland and West of Scotland are getting ready to welcome participants to the well-established Parasport Festivals in their regions, but for the West of Scotland this will see the flagship event celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The first Parasport Festival took place in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow and proved to be so successful that other regions gradually introduced the event which now takes place in five regions across Scotland: Grampian, Central Scotland, East of Scotland, West of Scotland and Tayside.
The event is designed to encourage pupils with physical, visual and hearing impairments in primary and secondary mainstream education, to experience a range of sports with the aim of being supported to engage in ongoing regular activity/sport. The specific target group for the event is identified in the SDS Equality Action Plan.
These bespoke events are very much a partnership event where SDS Regional Managers work with Active Schools Co-ordinators and Sports Development Officers from Local Authorities, Trusts, governing bodies of sport and local sports clubs.
The impact of the hugely successful events is outlined in the Celebrating 10 Years video but some facts and figures at a glance are listed below – and if you want to see more about what the events offer click on the brief promotional video link.
Scottish Disability Sport CEO, Gavin Macleod, said: “The Parasport Festivals have grown over the last 10 years to become a focus point for introducing young people with physical and sensory impairments to a wide variety of sports and providing opportunities into regular participation. We would like to thank the numerous governing body and Local Authority partners across Scotland who have provided vital support to enable these Festivals to evolve.”
Facts and figures at a glance:
- In 2019 SDS is celebrating 10 years of Parasport Festivals
- 1618 pupils have attended para sport festivals in 27 local authorities
- After attending the multi-sport festivals 15% of participants have been supported to engage in weekly sessions or clubs
- The male to female ratio has moved to from 80/20 to 60/40
- In 2018 50% of participants attended the festival for the first time, providing evidence that the festival should be continued to be provided
- 68% of participants have a physical disability, 21% have a visual impairment and 11% have a hearing impairment
- Participants of the festival were invited to feed back on the impact of sport on their lives in a survey. The results demonstrated that:
- 98% felt better by participating in sport
- 98% felt more confident in their physical ability
- 93% got out more and were less socially isolated
- 95% felt more competent in their physical ability
- 91% felt more able to cope with life
- 90% made more friends through sport
If you or any one you know has a disability and would like to get involved in the Parasport Festivals or any other disability sport programmes, please telephone 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.