Tag: Grampian

23/07/2024

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 Robert Gordon University with a degree in Sport Science. Wizzy saw the job advertisement at SDS as a great personal development opportunity, stating: “I wanted to push myself out there and make my own knowledge better.”

Wizzy has always been a sport enthusiast and she even volunteers as the Head Coach for the first and second Netball teams at Robert Gordon University.

Prior to starting the post at SDS, Wizzy had taken part in other forms of volunteering. This included helping out with boccia at the Grampian Parasport Festival, through her Coaching and Development HND at North Eastern Scottish College.

“I loved it. I helped out at the boccia session and it was amazing. I loved it so much”, said Wizzy.

It’s gone full circle for Wizzy, as now, “I am going to be running my own (Parasport Festivals). It’s crazy to think about, just three years ago I attended one and now I’m running it myself.”

The Grampian Parasport Festival will be taking place on Friday the 27th of September 2024 and will be held once again, at the Aberdeen Sports Village.

Not even two weeks ago, Wizzy was volunteering at the SDS Summer Camp and she believes that this experience will help guide her as she prepares for her Parasport Festival.

“After Summer Camp it has really driven me to make the Parasport Festival even bigger and have even more opportunities for the children. I just cannot wait to see the smiles on their faces when they are trying something new for the first time”, said Wizzy.

Wizzy was a key member of the staff team at the Summer Camp, which was held at Badaguish (Aviemore) from the 10th to 12th of July. This was something that she found to be extremely meaningful.

“Summer Camp was one of the best experiences I’ve had. To see all of the children adventuring and trying new things and really pushing themselves is something I will really remember for a long time”, said Wizzy.

When reflecting on some of her best memories she said, “The biggest highlight of the camp was making breakfast in the morning. Even though there was porridge and juice everywhere, the children were adamant they wanted do it all by themselves, which was amazing to see.”

Now that Wizzy has settled more into her post as Regional Development Manager, she has found that she is enjoying getting out into the field.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing the range of each participant. It’s just great. I met an individual with cerebral palsy, and I went to one of his frame running sessions. Just seeing what he was able to do was absolutely amazing”, explained Wizzy.

To find our more about the opportunities to get active in your region, please contact your Regional Development Manager.

To find out more about the opportunities available in the Grampian and Shetland region, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Wizzy or connect with the Branches for Grampian and Shetland.

03/03/2023

Highest Turnout for Mary Duncan Gala

Grampian swimming events appear to have fully recovered post-covid with a record level of entries for the annual Mary Duncan Swimming Gala.

We were delighted to be back at the gala’s home pool – Fraserburgh Community & Sports Centre – where 62 swimmers gave it their all across 53 events.

The event welcomes swimmers of all ages and all disability types from across Grampian and is a qualifying event for the Scottish Disability Sport National Senior Swimming Championships. It was fantastic to see a growing number of clubs from across the region entering their swimmers – in particular, the mainstream clubs which have welcomed swimmers with disabilities into their main squads.

We were delighted to be joined by Michelle Lamont, the daughter of the late Mary Duncan, who the gala has been named in honour of, to present medals to our winning swimmers.

The selection process for the National Championships, where we expect a strong Grampian representation.

Huge thanks goes to Marie Cheyne for arranging the programme and running events on the day, Pauline Stirling for starting the races, and for all the parents, carers, coaches and teachers who got stuck in to help with timekeeping, announcing, marshaling and supporting their swimmers.

If you, or anyone you know, lives with a physical, sensory or learning disability in Grampian or Shetland & is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

21/01/2022

Grampian Schools’ Sportshall Event Success

Grampian School pupils descended upon Aberdeen Sports Village to take part in the annual Sportshall Athletics Festival after a year’s break

Despite concerns that schools would be unable to support the event due to rising Omicron cases, over 40 pupils from schools all over Grampian were in attendance.

Additional COVID measures were in place including moving the event to ASV’s well-ventilated, large Indoor Athletics area, restricting the number of entrants, and a strict regime of hand gelling/sanitising equipment. However, this didn’t detract from the pupils’ enjoyment of the activities – a series of 6 athletics-based stations that tested pupils’ agility, speed, throwing and jumping skills. The day culminated in relays on the Village’s 400m outdoor track.

Participant, Lucy, said of the event “I totally loved it. I’m so glad I came”.

It is hoped that a team of pupils will be selected from the event to attend the National Adapted Sportshall Athletics Festival in March.

Thanks goes to to Jamie from Live Life Aberdeenshire for organising the event, Ruth from Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club for training the students and overseeing activities on the day, the students from North East Scotland College for leading the groups and activity stations, and placement student, Iain Boyd, for his assistance across the whole event.

21/01/2022

Adapted Cycling in Grampian Given Major Funding Boost

Grampian Disability Sport is excited to be moving forward with plans to grow and develop adapted cycling across the region thanks to a generous grant.

The Branch will receive £90,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Fund over the next 3 years, which will enable them to employ a part-time Cycling Coordinator to carry out the Branch’s plan of developing Adapted Cycling Bothies in local communities across Grampian. It is hoped that by developing these Bothies, appropriate bikes can be placed close by to those who need them, removing a barrier for becoming more active and encouraging people with disabilities to get out and about in their communities.

The funding will also allow the purchase of additional equipment and enable volunteer mechanics and ride leaders to be trained up to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

06/10/2021

Successful Summer of Fun Programme for Grampian Disability Sport

Grampian Disability Sport had a fantastic return to sport during the summer holidays, thanks to Summer of Play funding.

GDS was able to access just under £8,000 of the government funding thanks to a partnership between Live Life Aberdeenshire and Aberdeenshire ClubSport, which enabled their member clubs and organisations to apply for funding to run free of charge sports and activities for young people and families in Aberdeenshire.

After a surge in popularity of Scottish Disability Sport’s Summer Camp offering for youngsters aged 10 -17 with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, which was to be held at Lochter Activity Centre in Oldmeldrum, the funding enabled GDS to provide a further 7 half-day adventure camps at the site, which were opened up to youngsters with any disability aged 8-17 from Aberdeenshire, and their siblings and families.

Families had the opportunity to take part in a range of adventure activities including buggy driving, water zorbing, go karting, Segway, archery, kayaking and more! The environment was relaxed, staff were very flexible and went above and beyond to support the youngsters, and a total of 161 unique participants were involved across the 7 sessions.

Families commented that they wouldn’t ordinarily pay for this type of experience as they were concerned that their youngsters wouldn’t take part or wouldn’t manage, but seeing their children fully engage in the activities and gain confidence in their abilities changed their perceptions. It enabled parents and carers to meet other families and allowed their children to connect with their peers after lockdown.

They’re looking forward to hopefully offering a similar programme with Lochter during the Aberdeenshire Tatty Holidays.

If you (or someone you know) lives with a disability in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray or Shetland and wants to get involved in sport or physical activity, get in touch with Alison on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call 07828744848.

01/04/2021

Funding Boost for Grampian Parasport Festival

This year’s Grampian Parasport Festival is set to take place thanks to generous funding and the support of the Branch.

Grampian Disability Sport was able to secure £800 from The Corra Foundation to cover the costs of putting on the event, which is set to take place in September at Aberdeen Sports Village.

The Foundation aims to distribute funding to projects and programmes which help improve the lives of individuals and communities who experience disadvantage and so the Parasport Festival aligned perfectly with the Foundation’s objectives.

Parasport Festivals have been hugely beneficial in reducing and removing barriers to participation for young people who are least likely to engage in sport and physical activity: they bring young people and their families together to form a supportive network; offer young people the chance to try activities adapted to their specific needs in a safe and welcoming environment; allow people to find out what opportunities are available in their local areas; provide coaches and clubs with opportunities to develop their inclusive practice; and challenge perceptions of the abilities of people with physical and sensory disabilities.

This year’s Grampian Parasport Festival is scheduled for Friday 17^th September and is suitable for children and young people from P1 – S6 with physical, visual or hearing impairments who attend mainstream or sensory-specific education.

For any queries, please get in touch with Alison, the Grampian and Shetland Regional Manager, on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

24/04/2017

Grampian Parasport Day 2017

On the 7^th June, Aberdeen Sports Village will play host to the 2017 Grampian Parasport Day.

This day is aimed at both primary and secondary aged children with a physical and sensory impairment. For further information please contact Claire McDonald on 07533056564 or email: claire.mcdonald@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Application form can be downloaded here..

06/02/2017

Grampian Regional Swimming Gala

Fraserburgh Swimming Pool will once again will play host to the Mary Duncan regional swimming gala for athletes with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

The event will take place on Saturday 4^th March from 12noon until 4pm.

If you would like to find out more information please contact: Claire McDonald on 07533056564 or email: claire.mcdonald@scottishdisabilitysport.com

06/02/2017

Grampian Para-Bowls Development Day

When: Saturday 25th March, 2017 – 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Where: Garioch Indoor Bowling Club, Harlaw Business Centre, Harlaw Road, Inverurie AB51 4FR

No cost to attend.

Scottish Disability Sport are working in partnership with Garioch Indoor Bowling Club to deliver a -para-bowls “taster session” for all players with a physical, learning or sensory impairment.

Are you interested in starting a new sport or physical activity?
Are you interested in representing your country at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games?
This may be the opportunity you have been looking for …

This event will invite players to come along and work with experienced coaches in the world of para-bowls, providing the opportunity to learn new skills. All abilities welcome!

For more information or to register your interest in the day, please contact Claire McDonald on 07533 056 564 or email claire.mcdonald@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Please note, players attending must bring appropriate footwear to access the playing surface (bowls shoes, flat soled infoor trainers, plimsoles, slippers, etc.). Please get in touch for further information.

06/02/2017

YASS Ski Sessions

Youth Additional Support Sport – introducing youngsters with additional support needs to skiing.

Tailored sessions available to learn and improve your skiing.

When: Wednesdays, 1800-1900
Where: Aberdeen Snowsports Centre

Just £5 per person. 5 week block – booking required.

To book call reception on 01224 810 215.

Additional information: Skiing requires active engagement and as such a base level of fitness and motor skills are recommended. If you would like to speak to a member of staff to discuss your requirements please contact program@aberdeensnowsports.com.

Our YASS sessions have qualified support need instructors however any conditions that may affect a learner’s ability to take on information and follow the safety rules should be declared in the client welfare form sent to you at time of booking to ensure suitable support is provided.