Tag: coaching

Award graphic from SWIS Awards showing Claire Morrison smiling at Stephen McGuire

Awards Success for Para Sport Heroes

Awards season is upon us, and a number of fantastic coaches and volunteers have been recognised for their significant efforts in disability sport.

At this year’s Eric Liddell Awards, Ron McArthur very deservedly collected the Outstanding Services to Sport Award for his lifelong dedication to developing para bowls.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, at the Scottish Women in Sport Awards, our very own Boccia guru, Claire Morrison, was awarded Coach of the Year for her efforts in coaching Stephen McGuire to BC4 gold medal glory at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. Unfortunately, Steph couldn’t be there to congratulate Claire in person as he was busy picking up his very own Eric Liddell Award on the same evening!

The sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards saw a trio of para sport coach successes across the evening.

The Janice Eaglesham Award Disability Sports Coach of the Year Award (an award dedicated to our late Chair) was scooped up by Neil Russell of the Adaptive Riders’ Collective. Neil earned this award for his work in improving and promoting accessibility and inclusivity in cycling.

SDS Young Person’s Sports Panel and Forth Valley Disability Sport member, Charlotte Askham, took home the Young Volunteer of the Year award after clocking up more than 800 hours over the course of a year whilst volunteering at a range of Branch and SDS sessions and events.

Later in the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award came home with Dundee pair, Jen Quinton and Eileen Ramsay for their coaching efforts over the last 31 years after founding Discovery Swimming Club (a specialist swimming club for swimmers with disabilities) in 1993.

Well done to all of the award winners to date.

Stay tuned for more award announcements over the coming weeks!

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 course that helps young people aged between 16 – 24 living with a vision impairment, hearing loss, physical disabilities or mild learning disabilities throughout Scotland, to develop their confidence and coaching skills. The Young Start Programme will further help individuals enrolled on the course gain a coaching qualification. 

SDS caught up with two members of the Young Start Programme, Callum and Jordon, to find out how the programme has supported them on their coaching journey.  

Callum Ballantyne is 23 years old and has a learning disability. Callum initially found out about the programme when his athletics coach mentioned it to him.  

“It first interested me by seeing that it could help me get a coaching qualification”, said Callum. 

Before Callum joined the Young Start Programme he was involved in sports, both participating and coaching in athletics and BMX.  

“It helped me on my coaching experiences through picking up different skills”, said Callum.  

“I love being a coach because I am an athlete myself and I love to give back to my sport of athletics.”  

He continued to say: “I love working with kids of all abilities and helping them achieve their dreams. I love to see all of the kids’ smiling faces when they achieve something, small or big.” 

There have been many skills and lessons that Callum has developed throughout his time on the programme. He explained: “The most important thing that it has taught me is that there is a coaching opportunity out there for people with a learning disability. It helps you get the skills you need to become a coach.”  

Providing these coaching opportunities to young people with a disability is something Callum strongly believes in. 

“I think we should see more people with a learning disability work in the coaching world. I think we can bring in skills and experiences that other people can’t bring in. I think it will help the workplace become more inclusive as well,” he said. 

Callum views his experience in the Young Start Programme as being very valuable and enjoyable. 

“I would recommend the programme to other people because the programme helps you build on your skills for coaching and it helps you to get into the coaching world.”  

Callum continued to say: “It’s good because you’ve got a mentor throughout your journey on the programme.” 

 

SDS also connected with Jordon, another member of the Young Start Programme, who was keen to share his experience. 

Jordon is 17 years old and has a learning disability. Applying for the Young Start Programme was something that Jordan was incredibly interested in, with himself being a keen footballer and having done a little bit of coaching throughout school. 

“I found out about Young Start through the sports coordinator in the school,” Jordan said. 

Jordan was instantly happy that he had applied, as he really enjoyed getting out into the field and coaching. “My favorite thing about coaching is helping everyone build up skills. I find this to be rewarding. I am happy when I coach football. I just enjoy it because I get to help different people.” Jordan explained. 

Along with enjoying coaching and meeting participants, Jordan has used the programme to develop skills. 

“I think I have built on my communication and stopping conflict.” He added, “The course helped me grow in confidence. I definitely feel more confident now, compared to before the course. The course has helped me gain coaching qualifications.” 

When looking at what he has managed to achieve and learn from the course, Jordan highly recommends the Programme. “If anyone was thinking of joining the Programme I would tell them just to do it. It will build your confidence along with other skills and you will get a qualification.” 

If you are interested in the Young Start Programme or would like to find out more, please contact your SDS Regional Development Manager.  

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 Scotland to develop their confidence and coaching skills over a one-year period. The young people will gain coaching qualifications.
As part of the Young Start programme you will:
  • Achieve a coaching qualification
  • Meet other young people with disabilities
  • Volunteer with disability sport in your local area
  • Raise the profile of disability sport
  • Work together with a mentor who will empower you to achieve your agreed personal development plan

Current programme members commented:

“Young Start is an amazing learning opportunity. It lets you be around like-minded individuals who share your passion. It is a starting point to let you continue on further in any career”
“Young Start is like a little family; we all want the best for each other”

Find out more about the programme by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B11EN5iA17w

Who are we looking for?

  • People living in Scotland
  • Young people with a disability aged between 16 -24 (Participants must be 16 as of the 30th September 2024 to apply for the programme).
  • People who have the ambition to achieve a Level 1 coaching qualification (or equivalent) – Please note that a Level 1 qualification is the equivalent of Advanced Higher. If you would find this level really challenging, the Getting Started programme may be more suitable for you.
  • People who would like to coach/volunteer within their local communities
  • People who are able to attend meetings at least every 3 months with their mentor
  • People who will link with branches to support ongoing developments
  • People who are open and ready to participate in all learning opportunities (People who are committed to their personal development and can attend at least three additional workshops as agreed with your mentor)

We are particularly keen to hear from:

  • Women and girls
  • People who belong to ethnic minority communities
  • People who are living in low Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation area

What is the role of your mentor?

Mentors will meet with the coach they are working with on a regular basis. Mentors will provide individualised support that will contribute to the individual becoming a confident and competent coach; supporting them on their journey. Specifically, mentors will:
  • Work with the coach on an individual basis to develop their confidence and competence in their coaching role (at least 4 meetings will be held throughout the year, one of which will be within the coaches coaching environment)
  • Support the coaches to find a suitable environment in which to practice their coaching if they are not already associated with a club or programme.
  • Empower the coach to achieve their goals
  • Observe the coaches in their role and support them to self-reflect before offering feedback
  • Enable the coach to develop identified strengths and areas for improvement within their coaching practice
  • Empower the coach to complete a personal development plan
  • Provide quarterly progress reports

Other information:

  • Coaches who meet the expectations outlined will be able to access a budget of £200 towards coaching qualifications.
  • Occasionally the relationship between the coach and the mentor simply doesn’t work. This could be for a variety of reasons including geographical, philosophical or technical. If this happens, no explanations are required form either the mentor or the coach and contact should be made with Victoria so alterative arrangements can be made.
  • We are looking to develop a network of young people from across all areas in Scotland.
Dates:
  • Please complete this application before the 23rd September 2024
  • An introduction evening will be held online on the 30th September 2024 from 6 – 8pm

How to apply

  • Please complete this Young Start Application Form before the 23rd September 2024
  • An introduction evening will be held online on the 30th September 2024 from 6 – 8pm

Contact Details

Victoria Clark

Lead Mentor Email: victoria@activeadvantage.org

Tel: 07969 751 470

Alison Shaw

Education and Learning Manager Email: Alison.Shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Tel: 07828 744 848

SDS receive Young Start award from the National Lottery Community Fund 

We are delighted to announce that we have received a Young Start award from The National Lottery Community Fund.
This funding will empower more young people (aged between 16 – 24) living with vision impairment, hearing loss, physical and learning disabilities to gain new skills, qualifications and experiences with the support of mentors. We will support young people to become sports coaches and leaders within their local communities throughout Scotland.
The programme is for young people, designed by young people. Young people are truly at the heart of the design, development and review of the programme.
The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said:
“We are always keen to support projects that put Scotland’s young people at the heart of the development and running of services.”
Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, commented:

“Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank the National Lottery Community fund for its continued support of our Young Start programme. This funding will make a significant impact on the lives of the young people involved and allow us to help participants meet their full potential through physical activity and sport.”

The SDS Young Start Futures team commented:
“We will be the voice of young people in Scotland. We are the future. We will inspire the future.” 
If you (or someone you know) would like to benefit from the Young Start programme, apply before the 18th September at https://sds.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=566174801C7E8E3ECB4E0C0AD63C909A765B94EB where you’ll also find more information.

sportscotland Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering Awards 2023

The annual sportscotland COV Awards 2023 is soon to open for nominations, and we would like to encourage our clubs, Branches, participants, athletes, partners and supporters to nominate those who make a difference in the world of disability sport.

This year’s categories are:

  • Young Coach of the Year
  • Community Coach of the Year
  • Disability Coach of the Year – The Janice Eaglesham Award
  • Performance Pathway Coach of the Year
  • High Performance Coach of the Year
  • Coach Developer of the Year
  • Young Official of the Year
  • Official of the Year
  • Young Volunteer of the Year
  • School Sport Volunteer of the Year
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Lifetime Contribution Award

Disability sport has been strongly featured in previous years and last year’s winners include para swimmer and Young Person’s Sports Panel member, Laura Pilkington (Young Volunteer of the Year), Grampian para swimming coach, Marie Cheyne (Disability Coach of the Year), and athletics coach, Jim Hunter (Lifetime Contribution).

Awards open at 4pm on Wednesday 14th June and details including nomination forms can be found at https://sportscotland.org.uk/coaching/recognition-and-reward/coaching-officiating-volunteering-awards/