Tag: Female Sport

A photo of Sam Gough by herself sitting in a two person rowing boat

Sam Gough: Overcoming barriers, and the importance of education

Sam Gough MBE’s journey in sport has been one that showcases the power of determination, resilience, and an unwillingness to take no for an answer.

At just three-years-old, Sam was a budding young athlete, taking part in Mini Kicker football events, adding dancing, swimming, cross country running, and other sports to her ever-growing schedule over the following years. For all, it looked like Sam was destined for a life of sport and physical activity.

Sam was ready and willing to jump head-first into any opportunity provided, and had the full backing of her sports enthused family. At that stage, no one would have predicted that Sam would have been excluded from her physical education classes within a few years; when a lack of accessible equipment, and education of teachers around disabilities and vision impairments, saw Sam denied the opportunity of taking part in physical education.

Others may have found this hard – just like Sam did – not all would have had the resilience to bounce back, going on to have an incredibly impressive career in sport. Even more impressively, not all would have had the willingness to extend an olive branch, eloquently going down the disability advocacy route, and educating people on accessible practices.

The 23-year-old said: “The teachers saw my vision impairment as a hazard, to not only myself but to other pupils.”

“I thought that for a long time I was the problem, I felt like I was the reason that I couldn’t compete in sport.”

“I wouldn’t wish my experience during that period on anybody else, but what it has done, it’s lit a fire within me to create positive change.”

The feeling of being excluded was extremely hard for Sam, especially after just having selected physical education as one of her chosen subjects that she would study in third year.

However, Sam didn’t let this deter her from taking part in sport and physical activity, looking for out of school options, joining swim clubs in Midlothian, and attending Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS’s) National Championships and Parasport Festivals.

At one of SDS’s Parasport Festivals, Sam’s perception around how she could be included in sport changed, when a badminton session was modified to make it more accessible, saying: “They changed the white shuttlecock to a yellow balloon, which meant I could join in. That just shows how simple it is to adapt sport for someone who has a disability.”

“Having that done for me made me feel really empowered, to know that sport can be adapted and can be accessible.”

Towards the end of education in high school, Sam made the decision to transfer to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.

Ultimately, this was a formative moment in Sam’s life, learning about herself as an individual with a vision impairment, and developing a new attitude to sport and physical activity. She commented: “In reality the Royal Blind School is where I learnt to advocate for myself, learn about my vision impairment, what it meant to be a young person with a vision impairment, and how it can empower you in every way possible.”

“There was an opportunity to attend a Para rowing session, and at the time I was doing a lot of other sports, and my physical education teacher didn’t let there be any barriers, he just said ‘Sam what’s one more sport, just give it a go’.”

So far in 2026, Sam has had an incredible year performing, reaching the podium several times in Para Rowing and Blind Football. Winning Quad bronze in the Spring Regatta, gold at the Henley Women’s Regatta, and winning two gold medals whilst representing Scotland at the Home International Nations Regatta, amongst a suite of other Para rowing medals. Also captaining the Lioness’s Blind Football team to silver in the World Championships and bronze at the European Championships “It’s been an incredible season, it’s probably been my biggest season to date, and I am just delighted that I could perform at that level, and show what is possible with hard work and determination.”

In June this year, Sam was awarded a MBE in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List for services to sport and the visually impaired community. Recognition which was well deserved after years of Sam’s advocacy for individuals with vision impairments and disabilities, not only as an ambassador, but also through SDS’s Education and Learning courses and National Advisory Forum, where Sam attends as an active athlete, providing great insight and lived experience.

Sam said: “My passion has come from being excluded from sport, and now I am able to advocate for others, it’s one of the biggest turning points in my life.”

“I’ve gone into this big advocator role, and I really enjoy it, I love advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities, and for sport to be inclusive.”

“Education is one of the most important things when looking to make sport more inclusive, if not the biggest thing.”

“It’s not always even about sport being inclusive, it’s about disability awareness, and how that can transfer into day-to-day life, if people have knowledge of disabilities, it takes away different barriers, it’s really important.”

To find out how you can get started on your pathway in sport, reach out to Scottish Disability Sport at admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or contact your local SDS Branch.

To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

A photo of Rosanna Wood. She is wearing a JudoScotland Top and is smiling at the camera

Championing inclusion: Rosanna Wood joins Scottish Disability Sport.

Rosanna Wood joins the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) team, taking up the position of Communications Manager, where she will be hoping to impact change.

Coming to the team with an abundance of knowledge, that has been built up through several years of working within the sporting sector in Scotland with organisations such as JudoScotland, Rosanna is looking forward to the challenge that awaits, she said: “Working in Scottish sport over the past decade, I have seen first-hand the incredible impact sport can have, not just on individuals, but on wider society.
Scottish Disability Sport plays such an important role in championing inclusion, influencing policy and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport. Joining the team felt like an incredible opportunity to contribute to that work, help drive positive change and shine a light on the people and stories that demonstrate the true impact of disability sport across Scotland.”

Rosanna joined the SDS team, on Monday 2nd November, the start of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, exactly three weeks before Scottish Disability Sport Week (23rd – 29th November) is being held. With both campaigns showcasing the power of inclusive sports, Rosanna is joining at an exciting time.

Looking ahead to what is achievable over the coming months, Rosanna commented: “I’m really excited to help tell the stories of disability sport in Scotland and raise its profile, celebrating the people, opportunities and achievements that make it so special.
Through my work with JudoScotland, I’ve already had a glimpse of the incredible work taking place across governing bodies, clubs and communities to break down barriers and create opportunities for people to participate in sport. I’m looking forward to meeting even more of the passionate individuals making this happen, hearing their stories and helping amplify their voices.
Ultimately, I’m excited to play a part in showcasing the impact of disability sport and helping more people see that sport really is for everyone.”

With Scottish Disability Sport Week providing opportunities to showcase every aspect of disability sport. From the Power of Participation, and Overcoming Barriers, to highlighting the importance of Intersectionality, recognising the many inclusive Clubs and Communities, the growing Accessibility, and emerging Performance Pathways, each of the week long campaign’s themes offer an opportunity to celebrate inclusive sporting practices. This is something that Rosanna feels is important, saying: “Sport is about so much more than medals. It means different things to different people, whether that’s friendship, fitness, competition or something else. Whatever the motivation, sport should be a place where everyone feels welcome, included and that they belong.
But for that to happen, people need to see what’s possible. By raising the profile of disability sport and sharing the stories of individuals across Scotland, from community clubs to the Paralympic stage, we can challenge perceptions, inspire others to get involved and show that sport really is for everyone. Representation matters, and the more visible disability sport becomes, the more we can help create a sporting landscape where everyone feels they have a place.”

A further opportunity to identify barriers to participation, opportunities for growth, and good practices, within disability sport, is SDS’s National Survey. The second edition of the National Survey was launched on October 28th 2026, where by listening to people with disabilities, learning from their experiences in sport, and gaining an understanding of issues faced by individuals when attempting to become physically active, SDS can promote and shape a sporting landscape where everyone feels like they have opportunities to be physically active.

As well as being passionate about increasing awareness around Para Sport, Rosanna is also extremely passionate about every aspect of inclusive sports, including women and girls, she said: “As with all forms of representation, you have to see it to be it. Having women working throughout the sporting sector, across all roles and at every level, helps challenge perceptions, create opportunities and show the next generation what’s possible.
It’s equally important that women’s voices and lived experiences are heard and valued. By listening to those experiences, we can shape more inclusive policies, practices and interventions that better reflect the needs of everyone involved in sport.
My own experiences of sport as a teenager shaped my understanding of how easily girls can lose confidence when they don’t feel they belong. Today, that drives my mission to help create a sporting landscape where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to thrive.”

To find out how you can get started on your pathway in sport, reach out to Scottish Disability Sport at admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or contact your local SDS Branch.

To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.