This year’s para sport festival series has come to an end with festivals happening in five regions in Scotland. This year alone 345 pupils from 193 schools in 28 local authority areas have benefitted from attending the events.
The festivals are 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 driven by SDS Regional Managers with Active Schools Co-ordinators and Sports Development Officers from Local Authorities, Trusts, governing bodies of sport and local sports clubs and students from local tertiary institutions bringing crucial expertise to the event to make them happen.
Feedback from parents and carers demonstrates the value that the festivals bring to the young people attending. Ian Dryburgh, Grandparent:
“My grandson is visually impaired, he has attended the festival for the last five years, he we never knew the number of sports that were available for people with disabilities. It is fantastic. He has been able to try sports that he never would have the opportunity to try at the festival. He is a changed person. After attending the festival, he has gone on to attend a swimming transition squad and judo sessions.”
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.
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
- 1963 pupils from over 250 schools in 28 local authority areas have benefitted from the event
- 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
In 2020 the Paralympics in Tokyo will once again shine the spotlight on performance athletes competing in disability sport. Why not come along and start your journey just as they did? If you or any one you know has a disability and would like to get involved in disability sport please telephone 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com. #Getinvolved #SDSInclusivesport
Para Sport Festivals 2020
West of Scotland: Monday 2nd March
Tayside: Wednesday 4th March
East of Scotland: Friday 27th March
Grampian: Friday 18th September
Highland: Saturday 26th September
Central Para Sport Festival: Tuesday 27th October