Tag: Member

The setting is a large meeting room with two sets of windows looking out to a bright exterior. A large screen to the rear of the room is displaying the SDS 4-point Call to Action.  There are tables and chairs round the perimeter There are three groups of peoples sitting at round tables and participating in discussions. The main table in the foreground of the picture features eleven people with a mixture of ages, genders and roles which include coaches, volunteers, athletes and staff and board members.

Scottish Disability Sport Seeks Members for National Advisory Forum

YOUR SPORT. YOUR VOICE. YOUR IMPACT

• Are you passionate about shaping the future of disability sport in Scotland?
• Do you have lived experience of disability and want to make a difference?

Join the National Advisory Forum at Scottish Disability Sport – a dynamic group of individuals who bring real-world insight, experience, and ideas to influence positive change.

Type of role: Voluntary
Commitment: 4 meetings per year (mainly online with occasional in-person)
Duration: 2-year term with the possibility to serve for a further term
Reporting to: SDS Governance Subgroup
SDS Liaison: SDS Head of Policy
Deadline: 12pm, 28 January 2026
Interviews: Week beginning 2 February 2026 (Time TBC)

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is fully committed to being an organisation that co-designs with our athletes and participants to ensure the voice of those with lived experience is heard and directs the work of the organisation. SDS is particularly keen to ensure all disability groups and backgrounds are represented on the forum. Any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application process and for the duration of the forum will be met.

 

This is your chance to:

  • Advocate for inclusion and equality in sport and physical activity,
  • Advise on policies and programmes that matter,
  • Inspire the next generation of athletes and participants.

Your perspective matters. Together, we can create a sporting landscape where everyone
belongs. Our strategic plan, which directs our work, can be found on our website at
www.scotishdisabilitysport.com alongside our Call to Action which urges all our stakeholders to engage in meaningful change to remove barriers to sport and physical activity.

To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter or 1 minute video indicating your suitability for the role to: Mark Gaffney, SDS Head of Policy at: mark.gaffney@Scottishdisabilitysport.com by 12pm on 28 January 2026.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Mark at the email above or by phoning 0131 317 1130.

YPSP member, Aidan Moody, Adds to Tennis Medal Collection

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice 

Last month Aidan Moody, a current member of Scottish Disability Sport’s Young Persons’ Sports Panel, found himself competing in a tennis tournament in Annecy, France.  

“The tournament was really good. It was the VISTUS World Tennis Championships. Loads of different countries were there and I was there representing Great Britain.” Sai Aidan, who was competing in both the singles and doubles with his partner Olly. 

“I had four other players in my singles group. A French person who was number 4 in the world and an Australian who was a former world number 1, so I knew the group was going to be really tough”, said Aidan.  

Although he knew it was going to be a challenge to make it out of his group, he was motivated to cause an upset. He came ever so close to achieving this when he took on the French player and narrowly lost, 6-4. Despite the loss, it was a performance that he was extremely proud of 

He put up a good fight throughout the tournament, to finish in 9th place overall. He said, “After losing to the two seeds in my group, I went on to win all my other singles matches, making it to the consolation 9/10 play off final, winning 6-3 against Australia.”

“I think it was an achievement to get into the top 10, and I am happy with how I played.”  

In the double’s tournament, the pair clawed back to take the win against the home favourites, winning 6-2. Their winning momentum continued and they quickly found themselves in the semifinals. Although Aidan and Olly were unable to secure a spot in the final, they were successful in sealing bronze.  

“Managing to get a bronze was really good, we were both really happy with that”, said Aidan.   

With his tournament following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Aidan was really motivated to play well. “I was supporting Gordon Reid who is also Scottish and was competing in Paris. It was really exciting and motivating.” 

He continued to say: “Learning Disability Tennis isn’t currently at the Paralympics but they are having talks to get it there. Fingers crossed that one day I can make it there which would be really cool.” 

Now that the dust has settled on the Championships in Annecy, Aidan can reflect on his overall performance. 

“We kept playing really well [in the doubles]. The communication was really good and I think we are just a really good partnership to be fair.” 

“We also competed in January at the Australian Open. We partnered there and were the runner ups and then we got bronze in France. It’s been a really good partnership so far, so I would definitely like to keep it going.” 

Aidan Moody standing on the tennis court in Australia, holding his trophy after winning the tournament
Aidan Moody standing on court holding his trophy at the Australian Open, earlier this year

Aidan is now really excited for his next steps in the game. “I’ve got more experience now and it’s made me hungry to keep on going, working hard and just keep coming back with a positive mindset.”  

The future is looking very bright. All the best of luck, Aidan! 

Make to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website.

Stephanie and Charis from Ability Shetland smile as they hold their MOR certificate towards the camera.

Ability Shetland Joins the SDS Family

We were delighted to announce at this year’s AGM and Awards that Ability Shetland has satisfied the criteria for our Minimum Operating Requirements and is now the 14th Branch to have joined Scottish Disability Sport.

Ability Shetland, and in particular, Stephanie Bain, has worked tirelessly over the last couple of years to get to where they are today, and it was a pleasure to be part of the partnership that established their development plan which aided them in securing funding from Shetland Charitable Trust and sportscotland’s Direct Club Investment for their very first Sports Development Coordinator post.

Ability Shetland and their partners were keen to develop more and better opportunities for people with disabilities across the Islands to get involved in sport and physical activity, and to better connect with clubs, athletes, competitions and pathways on the mainland. Stephanie has commented that they are already seeing the benefits of being a Branch with new athletes being supported, opportunities being developed and participants being invited to events on the mainland.

We are now delighted to work closely with Charis Scott, Ability Shetland’s Sports Development Coordinator, who has done a spectacular job so far in creating partnerships with clubs, developing a successful summer holiday programme, and engaging schools, participants and athletes in SDS events.

Well done to all at Ability Shetland.

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