Tag: Para sport

15/01/2025

Kirsty Byrne Appointed Fife Regional Development Manager

Using sport as a vehicle to empower change, meet the new Regional Development Manager for Fife, Kirsty Byrne.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

Taking up the role of Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) Regional Development Manager for the region of Fife, Kirsty is looking forward to getting started throughout the region and hopes to, “use sport as an avenue to empower young people and adults to believe they can achieve anything that they want to, despite any barriers.”

Helping empower athletes of all abilities is something that Kirsty is incredibly keen to continue working towards in her new position. “It’s the reason I do my job, to give the athletes and participants the ability and opportunity to achieve anything they want to.”

“To play a part in helping provide individuals with opportunities to become physically active is just so special.”

Kirsty takes up the Regional Development Manager position after formerly being in post as Branch Coordinator for Disability Sport Fife and will be continuing her role as SDS’s events Coordinator, alongside her new position.

Throughout her previous roles as Branch Coordinator and Events Coordinator, Kirsty has had the opportunity to witness athletes come through the branch and events pathway which has provided her with a unique insight into the development and continued development of athletes. Last summer at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Disability Sport Fife celebrated the golden success of their athlete, Ben Sandilands. “We have worked with Ben and his family a lot. To see him win a gold medal and set a new world record is something I will always remember.”

“It was a special moment for everyone in Fife and at Disability Sport Fife.”

Kirsty became involved in disability sport towards the end of her time in high school, where there was an opportunity for senior pupils to volunteer in the attached ASN school. Throughout this time, Kirsty had opportunities to help in physical education classes. It was here that she saw firsthand the benefits of sport.

“I could see straight away the important role sport has on young people and the difference it can make. Just seeing the smiles on their faces when they achieve something they didn’t think was possible, for me that is everything”, explained Kirsty.

In 2024 as the Fife Branch Coordinator, Kirsty played a key role in the delivery of Fife’s very first Parasport Festival. For Kirsty this was an amazing day, further showcasing the benefits of physical activity. She said: “That was definitely one of my highlights from 2024, having so many participants in the room at one time, experiencing and engaging in sports for the first time, highlighting what is on offer around Fife.”

Furthermore, it showcased the importance of partnership working within the region. “Following on from that [Parasport festival], we had engagement (with clubs and organisations) throughout, participants are now involved in swimming sessions and tennis sessions for example. It just showcases what you can do when everyone comes together and celebrates sport”, Kirsty said.

This use of partnership working is something that Kirsty is keen to continue working on in her new role. “Having that conversation and sharing knowledge of what is available, just being able to support each other, because ultimately at the end of the day, at the center of everything, is the participants”, said Kirsty.

If you would like to know more about the opportunities available in Fife, please contact Kirsty on: kirsty.byrne@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

If you are based elsewhere and keen to learn more about your local opportunities, please contact your Regional Development Manager

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

30/11/2024

Gemma Lumsdaine on High Performance and Active Representation

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

For Gemma Lumsdaine performing at the highest level has always been a goal. That is what made it even more special when she got a phone call from her coach to let her know that she was going to be part of the Great Britain Women’s Wheelchair Rugby team.

“I was crying down the phone to the coach, just so much happiness about the whole thing and obviously pride as well. I’ve always wanted to represent Great Britain since I’ve been very young, it’s always been a goal of mine.”

Gemma found out that she would be representing Great Britain in wheelchair rugby at the Women’s Cup three weeks ago. This was the second time that she would be representing the home nations after she contributed to the team winning the same tournament last year, which will provide a further bit of pressure for the team. With the clock ticking down to the tournament kicking off in early December, Gemma has been hearing lots from family and friends.

“Yeah, everyone has been really excited around me, you know when you’re an athlete it’s not just you that is getting selected or goes through the highs and lows, it’s your family, your friends, your coaching team, we just experience everything together. I think they are just really excited for me to get out there and be with the women and retain our title from last year hopefully.” Gemma explained.

She is equally as excited and proud to be there and represent Scotland, saying: “It’s just me, I am the only Scot in the team, so I am flying the flag, everyone else is English so I am flying the flag for the Celts.”

With wheelchair rugby being a predominantly mixed gender sport there isn’t always the same opportunities to provide young disabled women with active representation. This is something that Gemma is really excited for.

“I’m also really passionate about getting women and girls into sport, especially disabled women and the intersectionality of it. I think it’s really important and special in many ways”, s said.

Having this representation is something that Gemma is really passionate about and something that she views as being paramount: “Of course it’s about you know, pushing yourself and achieving my goals, but it’s bigger than that, it’s about actually showing young disabled women who are struggling with their identity or not sure if they are sporty, not sure of what they can achieve with their disability, but showing they can.”

Over the coming years Gemma is keen to continue along the performance pathway. “Ultimately my goal is and has been to compete at the highest level, for example the Paralympics is the highest level, equally there is the Worlds and Europeans (championships), and that is a longer-term goal that I am setting my sights on.”

“It’s a long journey, these things don’t come over night, there are setbacks and highs and lows, it’s working towards being the best athlete I can be.”

If you have enjoyed hearing Gemma’s story and are keen to find out what sporting opportunities are available near to you, so you can start on your own journey in disability sport, contact your Regional Development Manager. SDS would like to wish Gemma the very best of luck in France.

18/10/2024

Martin Perry Eyes Up LA 2028 After Paris Paralympics

“I definitely enjoyed my experience and I can’t wait to relive it in four years’ time in LA.” – Martin Perry reflects on his debut Paralympics performance.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

Martin Perry was part of the ParalympicsGB squad for the 2024 edition of the Summer Games in Paris. Martin qualified for the table tennis squad where he competed in both singles and doubles, partnering up with Will Bayley.

“From start to finish, Paris was just an unbelievable experience, I couldn’t believe how well catered everything was”, said Martin.

The Paralympics kicked off for Martin with the doubles round of 16. “My doubles partner Will Bayley and I had a great win against Germany winning 3-0”, explained Martin.

Next up was the quarter finals where Martin and Will found themselves up against the French, who went into the match as second seed. “We found ourselves 2-0 down. We had an incredible rally where I jumped off the court. That was the catalyst that got us back into the match… we managed to get it back to 2-2.”

He continued to recap the match: “We went down to the wire at 9-9 in the final set, and France just happened to pip us to the post and win 11 – 9. That was really tough and it was heartbreaking”, he recounted. Losing the game was the end of their doubles campaign in Paris. However, Martin still had the opportunity to compete in the singles.

His first match was against the reigning champion in his category (Class 6). “It was never going to be an easy match”, said Martin. “Just the way the system works, we actually hadn’t played each other in the last five years, so it wasn’t as if we’d had loads of opportunities to work each other out. He got the better of me, I never really got going until the third set and by then it was too little too late.”

As much as it hurts it has definitely given me a platform to learn from and to hopefully take forward”, commented Martin.

Being able to represent ParalympicsGB was a career highlight for Martin and the team dynamics certainly didn’t disappoint.

“As the competition was just about to start they put stickers up on the outside wall (of the team house.), really cool graphics which were actually the ParalympicsGB medal tally and they updated it every single day. It was so cool to see those numbers rising and rising.”

Whether someone had a good or bad day, you were always there to offer a helping hand or say well done and that was just amazing to be amongst that and be part of one team”, explained Martin.

With the Games being held in Paris there was a fantastic opportunity for fans to travel over. “Wow, the support I had was unmatched, it was amazing. This is the closest I am ever going to have to a home Paralympic Games.”

He continued to say, “To have my wife, Siobhan, and daughter, Byra, both there and to have my in-laws Andy and Jacqueline, my own dad and then half of Drumchapel Table Tennis club from Glasgow come out. The support I had, it was just incredible and that means so much to me because they are the folks that have been in my life a long time, they mean the most to me.”

The fact that they got to see me do what I love doing, on the biggest stage in the world just meant so much.” Martin said.

Despite the Paralympics just concluded only one month ago, Martin already has his sights set on the next edition. “I definitely enjoyed my experience, and I can’t wait to relive it in four years’ time in LA (Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games).”

Martin said: “I thought I was hungry for Paris, but wow, LA is going to be awesome and I am so motivated to go again and to be a two-time Paralympian.”

If you are motivated to get involved in sport after hearing all about Martin’s experience in Paris, contact your Regional Development Manager to find out about any opportunities in your area.

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