Tag: Perth and Kinross

A young boy about to hit a ball with a tennis racket. He is standing in a line with children waiting their turn behind him at the 2024 Fife Parasport Festival

A year to remember; some of 2024’s best moments across Scotland 

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

What a year it has been for disability sport across Scotland, with a dedicated team of nine SDS Regional Development Managers working hard to create inclusive, engaging and fun sporting opportunities across the country. Here are some of the regional team’s highlights: 

For Perth and Kinross it has been a exciting year watching up-and-coming athletes develop. This can be seen with Alex Medley who has been supported through the boccia performance pathway, winning the Scottish Championships and Scottish Open in 2024 in the BC2 category. He has recently been selected for the Scotland boccia squad for 2025. 

For Dumfries and Galloway, watching Kayleigh Brown (nee Haggo) achieve her life long dream of competing at the Paralympic Games, has to be the highlight of the year. Kayleigh attended Parasport Festivals when she was in school. Earlier this year they were all delighted to see Ayrshire Sportsability’s Co-Chair Kayleigh, as she competed  in her Paralympic debut in Paris 2024, where she put in a strong performance, making it through to both the BC2 Individual and BC1/2 Team quarter finals. 

Throughout many of the regions the Parasport Festivals will always be a highlight. 

Fife hosted their very first Parasport Festival, which took place in March, with 42 out of the 48 participants having never attended any Parasport festival before. This included eight people who do not fully participate in PE at school. For everyone involved it was an extremely memorable day. 

In the West of Scotland, the Parasport Festival played another pivotal role in the region. The Parasport Festival also took place in March. It was a great day where 13 different sports were delivered to over 100 children from the West of Scotland. A particular highlight from the day was when a young boy who had never played wheelchair basketball was talent spotted and invited to join the national academy. He is still continuing to flourish in the Basketball Scotland set up. 

In the East of Scotland, the Parasport Festival was another memorable day in the calendar. This was a highlight due to it being a fantastic way to bring so many partner organisations together such as clubs, governing bodies and Active schools. The day provided a great way for young people to meet and spend time together, for parents to chat and for staff to see the endless amount of opportunities out there. The region can’t wait until 2025. 

For Highland and Orkney, the successful Parasport festivals that were held throughout the year will forever be memorable; with multiple festivals being delivered in 2024, including ones in Grantown on Spey, Lochaber and Orkney.  For everyone involved across the region and on the day, it was such a joy to see young people exploring and enjoying sport. 

For Grampian and Shetland, it has been a great year seeing the clubs’ develop. The uptake of Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies has been great. The club has worked so hard this year to secure funding for new adaptive bikes and each session they seem to gain more participants of all ages and abilities. 

The continued development of Hamilton Judo Club has been a landmark achievement in South Lanarkshire’s year. The club and partners were so pleased to celebrate the completion of the 2024 Inclusion Development Programme. With a special shoutout going to the amazing participants from Fairhill & Stonehouse. A particular highlight for the region and the club came recently where, after a brilliant session, everyone was delighted to see them presented with certificates for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm. 

For Central Scotland some of the events that have gone on throughout the region have been highlights. A particular regional highlight came on May 5th when they hosted a two-day Tennis Festival, working in partnership with East Dumbartonshire Leisure and CultureEast Dumbartonshire Leisure and Culture, Tennis Scotland and the Sporting Aces. This festival, for children and adults at the Nuffield Health Club in Milngavie, provided lots of individuals with an opportunity to try tennis and socialise. 

If you would like to get involved in your region throughout 2025 you can do so by contacting your Regional Development Manager. If you have enjoyed reading about the Parasport Festivals, make sure to keep an eye on the SDS website, with registration opening for 2025’s festivals soon. 

Make sure to stay up to date on all opportunities throughout Scotland, by following Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website. 

Two photos of Innes Martin playing boccia with his carer

The Positive Impact and Support Network Carers Provide

By William Moncrieff, Communications Co-ordinator

Sport means something different for everyone that participates. For Innes Martin, sport gives him an opportunity to socialise and express himself. Innes is a 33-year-old boccia player from Perth and Kinross, with cerebral palsy and a learning disability. He receives support from a dedicated group of carers in and out with sport.  

Innes has now been playing boccia for around 14 years. This is something that wouldn’t be possible without the support of his carers and family. Innes attends two boccia sessions a week, accompanied by a carer. 

“They [carers] help me throw the ball and once I’ve thrown it, they pick it up. I wouldn’t be able to play boccia without the support of my carers”, said Innes.  

Aran, one of Innes’ carers commented: “We try to give him as little support as he needs. Mainly we fetch and reach things for him, as that is the hardest part, but we aim to give him the independence to do it himself.” 

Although Innes and his carers see sport as a great opportunity to develop independence, the social element plays a large part for Innes. “Sport is a great opportunity for Innes to get out and become more social”, said Aran.  

Innes added to this, saying: “Without sport I would be stuck, stuck without any friends.” 

Joining Innes at his regular boccia sessions has allowed the carers to become quite invested in his boccia development. Some have even got involved: “Sometimes I join in, it’s good fun. We can go against each other or be a team, we tend to push each other”, said Aran.  

Innes’s carers have always enjoyed going with him to boccia and seeing him grow and develop. Aran said: “When he leaves [the boccia sessions], he’s happy and proud, it’s a boost in confidence. It’s really nice to see him do well.” 

There have been many learnings throughout the Martin family’s journey. Consequently, they started Strathern Building Bridges. This charity that they set up is to, “promote integration throughout their community”, Wilma (Innes’ mother) said. 

One way they achieve this, “was through getting our members involved in sporting opportunities”said Wilma.  

SDS’ Regional Development Manager for the Perth and Kinross area, Graeme Doig, is heavily involved with the charity. He said, “I’ve known Innes and his carers for a number of years, initially through boccia and then through the work I do with Strathearn Building Bridges to help bring disability sport opportunities to rural Perthshire. Throughout this journey, his carers have been instrumental in supporting him to attend, enjoy and progress in a variety of sports and meet new people. Their encouraging and supportive approach has benefited Innes to get and stay active through sport and physical activity.” 

The charity hosts many other groups including social clubs and groups that are designed to develop independence and living skills. 

“We also run a session on a Monday night which a lot of Innes’ friends who have a learning disability attend”, Wilma added.  

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in sport and physical activity throughout Perth and Kinross. More information about the sessions offered at the Strathearn Building Bridges can be found here.  

To find out more about how you can get active in your local area, contact your Regional Development Manager.  

Make to follow Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) on Facebook, X and Instagram.  Keep up-to-date with the latest news on the SDS website.