By Charlotte Askham, SDS Events Administrator
On the 26th of March 2025, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) held the East of Scotland Parasport Festival at Forrester High School and St Augustine High School. There was a fantastic atmosphere amongst all in attendance from participants, school staff, parents and carers and sport leads!
There was a variety of different sports supported by local clubs. These clubs played a vital role in providing participants with a range of fun and inclusive activities to try throughout the day, including:
- Swimming – Scottish Swimming, Swim IT and Lothian Racers
- Badminton – Badminton Scotland and Lothian Learning Disability Badminton Club
- Athletics and Frame Running – Scottish Athletics, Team East Lothian and Corstorphine Athletics Club
- Showdown – RNIB
- Canoeing – Paddle Scotland and Forth Canoe Club
- Wheelchair Basketball – Basketball Scotland and Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club
- Tennis – Tennis Scotland
- Fitness – DR Inclusive Fitness
- Judo – Judo Scotland and Jidel Judo
- Boccia – Scottish Disability Sport
A MASSIVE thank you to Edinburgh Active Schools, students from Edinburgh College, Edinburgh Napier Students, Leith Academy, Edinburgh Leisure, Maho from Lothian Disability Sport and Beth Malcolm our BSL Interpreter for making this a day to remember!
The 2025 Parasport Festivals are partnership events, which are generously being supported by the Motability Scheme. This partnership provided an opportunity to have Karli and Amber from the Motability Scheme in attendance, to field questions and to provide information about the scheme. SDS were also delighted to have Salena Begley from Family Fund at the Festival.
There were lots of smiling faces at the East of Scotland Parasport Festival. With the day being thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended, one parent commented on their experience:
“Our son loved basketball. The gym was amazing to see how the adaptations mean he’s fully included and wonderful to see the whole community together. Thank you for a brilliant day.”
The day finished with a question and answer session with current athlete and SDS Board Member Laura Pilkington and Sophie Fletcher about their journey in sport. This session is a great way to offer a unique perspective which can help provide information to participants and their families about possible opportunities and pathways in sport.
A thank you also goes to Helen Kallow, the East of Scotland Regional Development Manager. Along with the support from SDS staff members, Helen made this day memorable for all who attended.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to SDS if you would like to find out more about getting involved. For opportunities in the East of Scotland, please email: helen.kallow@scottishdisabilitysport.com or reach out to your regional Development Manager, here.
Make sure to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook and Instagram, for all the latest updates.
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