Tag: scottish disability sport

07/07/2025

Yoga Group Empowering Those Living with Multiple Sclerosis in Orkney

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer

Yoga has many benefits for participants. From positively impacting their mental wellbeing and fitness, to providing a social environment, participants can gain a lot. These are some of the many reasons why the Orkney Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) has been delivering sessions to individuals diagnosed with MS.

These yoga sessions have been delivered for a little over two years now and one participant who has been attending for the duration, is 35-year-old Graeme Mainland.

“It’s been really good. It’s made a big difference, especially the social side of it which is definitely the biggest benefit,” Graeme said.

He went on to explain: “After we have done the yoga, which should be the most important bit, we have a cup of tea together and an informal chat, and we all have a laugh, and we all have a good moan.”

Jane Rawle, a Yoga Instructor on the island, who has been enthusiastically delivering these sessions from the beginning, has also seen how the group has provided a social hub for participants.

“They have completely created their own community. They come and do their yoga and then afterwards, most importantly, they get their time together over a cuppa and they get to share a lot. Everyone is very trusting, the space is a safe space where they feel like they can openly share with each other and this has been created from day one,” Jane said.

These yoga sessions have been designed for those recently diagnosed with MS, to have an opportunity to come together as a community.

“It was for people that had perhaps been diagnosed within the last five/ten years, and were younger and had young families, who were still remaining in work full time or part time,” Jane explained.

This is certainly an aspect of the class that Graeme found to be particularly impactful. He commented: “I was quite recently diagnosed when I started the class, so the class was really good at helping me meet other people with MS.”

Along with many of the social benefits, Graeme found the class to be helping him physically. This was something that he was searching for, after being impacted physiologically by MS. He said: “It’s definitely impacted my mobility and walking. The job I did before, I was a refuse collector, which involved quite a lot of walking and my MS was impacting my walking, so I had to stop in that line of work and go into a more office-based job.”

Throughout her yoga sessions, Jane aims to provide a range of exercises, delivered with a person-centered approach to ensure that it is meaningful for all.

Jane explained: “The class gives them ways that they can work out, for their own bodies. So, they feel stretched but not absolutely fatigued at the end.”

This approach has helped Graeme with his day-to-day life. “It’s been good to get different stretches that you can do. This has eased the discomfort, as my muscles can get quite tight and it helps with that,” he said.

The yoga sessions are delivered weekly on a Saturday and are held at the The Pickaquoy Centre, in Kirkwall, with between 4-12 participants. This group is always something that Jane looks forward to.

“It’s my highlight of the week and I keep saying it to them, they are such a fabulous group to work with,” said Jane.

Although they may have been unsure to start, this sense of enjoyment is definitely shared amongst the participants.

“With the yoga class we (the participants) have all spoken about it, before any of us attended the yoga class. None of us were sure about trying it, ‘I don’t know if it is for me’, type thing. But once you start going, once you get your feet over the door, the group we have got, it’s such a welcoming group and we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” said Graeme.

The group have been looking to try and find new and creative ways to be physically active and gain all of the benefits. With Jane being a qualified swimming coach, the group were able to hire a mobile sauna and had a sauna and swimming session.

This was something that Graeme enjoyed and found to be rewarding, an activity he has continued to do. He said, “It’s certainly really good going in the sea, and I have been doing a bit of sea swimming since then.”

Alongside the yoga class, the Orkney MS Society organise a range of events and activities, including their online art class. If you would be interested in finding out more about the yoga group, or other activities being delivered by the Orkney MS Society, contact georgecath@aol.com, or call 01856 872479.

To find out what sporting opportunities are available near to you, contact your Scottish Disability Sport Regional Development Manager, who can inform you about current clubs, classes and events throughout Scotland.

To keep up-to-date on all of SDS’s ongoing work. Make sure to follow SDS on Facebook and Instagram.

30/06/2025

Forth Valley Disability Sport is Hiring

Forth Valley Disability Sport are delighted to announce that they are hiring for a new FVDS Coordinator.

Their previous coordinator has been promoted into a new role as an Active Schools Inclusion Advisor with a large local authority and so they are now in the position to be recruiting for a new, in-house, FVDS Coordinator.

Closing date: 3 August 2025

Pay and conditions are above market average and we are looking for an enthusiastic, committed and hard-working person to join our small but dedicated team. You must be driven, self-motivated and be passionate about disability sport. Experience with fundraising, event planning and management and project coordinator would be welcomed.

For more information, contact Forbes (FVDS Chair).

Available documents

Interviews will be schedule for all successful applicants in due course.

07/06/2025

Celebrating Marie Cheyne on #VolunteersWeek

To celebrate National Volunteers’ Week (2nd–9th June), SDS are highlighting some of the many volunteers throughout Scotland, Who have devoted time and effort to help provide more opportunities in disability sport throughout their region.

Marie Cheyne’s efforts in volunteering have been impacting individuals living in the Grampian region for over 25 years. This is down to her efforts running an Inclusive swim school (The Broch Seals), which teaches/coaches over 90 children and young adults every week to swim. Marie’s swim school provides a vital service within SDS’s member branch, Grampian Disability Sport, as her sessions offer their ASN swimmers with an opportunity to compete.

Marie also organises and runs several impactful events throughout the region. Including regional qualifiers for swimmers with a disability and an event for 80+ swimmers that takes place at Fraserburgh Swimming Pool.

Along with playing an integral part in the branches swimming events, Marie is now the trustee of the board, as her knowledge and expertise are viewed as being essential to have on the committee. Wizzy Mills, the Regional Development Manager for Grampian and Shetland, explained the impact that Marie has had throughout the region.

She said: “Through her leadership, innovation, and determination, Marie has played a vital role in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that disability swimmers are supported, celebrated and given the platform to succeed. Marie’s contributions are recognised and valued by all involved.”

Marie has also put countless hours in to ensuring that swimmers across Grampian have an opportunity to compete in the sport, this is through her work as the Team Manager for The Grampian Disability Swim team. This involves coaching and taking athletes to regular competitions.

In 2025, Marie has devoted her time to fundraising and so far she has raised enough money to put on another ASN/Disability swimming competition. Wizzy commented: “The participants are extremely appreciative of Marie’s dedication, vision and commitment to creating inclusive opportunities and events for disability swimmers. Her tireless efforts have significantly enhanced access to the sport, fostering an environment where every athlete can thrive.”

A further event that Marie runs, is an event in partnership with Active Schools Aberdeen City and Active Schools Aberdeenshire called, the Grampian Beginners Gala for children with a disability who want to compete at a beginner’s level. This event allows children to use flotation devices at a shorter distance; they are also allowed the option for carer assistance if needed. This event is always well attended by individuals across the region, with all swimmers, volunteers and parents leaving with a smile after experiencing Marie’s infectious passion for the sport.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

If you would be interested in volunteering within disability sport in Scotland, check out all the current opportunities on the SDS website, here.

SDS NATIONAL EXHIBITION EVENT

If you would be interested in finding out more about SDS and how sport and physical activity can support you, sign up to attend SDS’s first ever National Exhibition Event. The event is free and is being held at the University of Stirling on Saturday 14th June. The event will allow people from all over Scotland to interact with all elements of SDS in one place.

You can also find out more about what sporting opportunities are available in your community by contacting your Regional Development Manager. To keep up-to-date on all of the ongoing work, make sure to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website.

23/05/2025

RNIB Connect Radio: SDS National Exhibition Event Feature

[Listen to the interview here.]

Transcript for RNIB interview with Sam Gough and Laura Pilkington –

Amelia (Connect Radio Presenter): You’re listening to RNIB Connect Radio. On the 14th of June, Scottish Disability Sport are hosting a national exhibition to showcase opportunities for sports and physical activity disabled people can get involved in and share educational opportunities for people without disabilities to learn about inclusive practice and ways to make society more accessible. There will be opportunities to meet new people, try new activities and learn about schemes and organisations that can offer support. It’s taking place from 10am to 4pm at the University of Stirling and we’re joined today by Para swimmer and Scottish Disability Sport board member Laura Pilkington and visually impaired athlete and VI ambassador Samantha Gough.

Amelia: Hi Laura and hi Samantha, thanks so much for joining us.

Laura: Hello.

Sam: Hello.

Amelia: So, we’ll start with you Laura, how did you first get involved in Para swimming?

Laura: So I loved being in the pool when I was on holiday but just kind of mainly was in the pool during the summer but I wanted to get involved a bit more. So, encouraged by my PE teacher I joined a local disability swimming club and just joined it for fun but then after my fifth competition decided that I really like competing as well and was very competitive so kind of started on the performance pathway a couple of years left of that.

Amelia: Great and how about you Sam?

Sam: Yeah, so I went along to the SDS (Scottish Disability Sport) Parasport Festival many, many years ago and yeah I got to try lots and lots of different sports. Later on in the year I then went down to the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford where I got scouted for blind football and goalball at the time and I’ve done lots of other sports but just now just play blind football for England and also row for Great Britain. So, yeah, my journey really started at those Parasport Festivals and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that journey.

Amelia: Why did you both kind of, now that you’re further along in your professional sports journey, want to be ambassadors for Scottish Disability Sport and help other people discover new sports?

Laura: I think Scottish Disability Sport does such amazing work and without the opportunities that they’ve given me through swimming but also leadership opportunities through being on the Young Persons’ Sport Panel, being a mentor for the Young Persons’ Sport Panel, I don’t think I would be where I am today so I think it’s really important to sort of give back to the organisation and make sure that other people have these opportunities as well growing up.

Sam: For my journey I was excluded from sport because of my disability and my visual impairment so from that, kind of really hard experience growing up, I really want to give back and to you now work with people with visual impairments and encourage people with disabilities to get involved in sport. So, I’m kind of trying to, you know, use the experience that I’ve been through and change it into something positive and yeah kind of be an advocate for people with disabilities to know that they can take part in sport with a disability from my own lived experience.

Amelia: And this is a really exciting opportunity for people to join similar journeys as you or enjoy engaging with sports as a hobby so what are some of the activities that will be on offer at the University of Stirling (during the SDS National Exhibition Event)?

Laura: So, there’s going to be so many different opportunities at Stirling. So there’ll be sport and physical activity opportunities such as: Pickleball, Bowls, Cycling, Basketball, Health walks, Yoga, just to name a few but there’s much more than that. There’s also opportunities that aren’t just about being active – so [you’ll] be able to connect with others, different organisations that do disabilities and the Mobility Scheme will also be there.

Laura, continued: There’s also opportunities to speak to Paralympic athletes and learn about how they sort of go about their lifestyle and the different sort of performance pathways around as well as education and learning courses for people that are interested on how to make their practice more inclusive so it’s going to be a really big day there’s just going to be so much on it’s so exciting.

Laura, continued: For the sports they try to encourage people to try ones that maybe not done before to get a different opportunity but if you go along you’ll get adapted for your sort of experience and your needs within that and I think it’s going to be a really great day for everyone no matter the sort of level.

Sam: Yeah I think the whole day to kind of sum up, is to encourage and inspire. It’s to try and get young people and anybody with a disability to get active. Some people seem to think that if you’re disabled or have a visual impairment that you’ve got to go to the Paralympics and that’s just not the case – you can be active and have just as an amazing time as a Paralympian and there is other aspects of sport that isn’t just that competing at a high level, if that makes sense. So I think this this day is going to really show that you know you can inspire to be what you want to be and do what you want to do but also to meet and encourage people to take part in sport and to meet new friends and I think it’s going to be such an amazing event. I hope that makes sense.

Amelia: Yeah, yeah it absolutely does and for people that maybe are interested but a bit nervous, what would you say to encourage people to come along?

Sam: Yeah, I think, you know, just step out your comfort zone a little bit. And I remember being the shy little girl when I first went to these kind of events and didn’t speak to anybody and was really, really shy and just kind of stood by mom and dad’s side. And actually, if I could go back and really encourage myself to step out my comfort zone and to really, you know, enjoy it and, you know, take the opportunities as they come. Because they don’t come every day. And when you’ve got a day to try so many different sports, why wouldn’t you? And why wouldn’t you want to dip your toes into different sports? So, yes, I think it’s going to be a really, really good day. And I would encourage everybody to, you know, be brave, step out of their comfort zone and just enjoy it and make some new friends.

Amelia: Fantastic. And how can people sign up and attend?

Laura: So the main way to sort of sign up is on the Scottish Disability Sport website. There’s information on how to sign up and the link is there as well as all the social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). Scottish Disability Sport have been promoting it and sharing the link there. So that’s the main ways to find registration. Sign up if you’re available and hope to see you there!

Amelia: Great. Well, thank you so much, Laura Pilkington and Sam Gough for joining us here on RNIB Connect Radio. Thank you.

10/02/2025

Meet SDS’ New Events Administrator, Charlotte Askham

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

Passionate about disability sport and providing opportunities for all, Charlotte Askham is the latest addition to the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) cohort, joining the events team alongside Josh Thomson (Events Manager) and Kirsty Byrne (Events Administrator).

Charlotte is a current member of the Young Persons’ Sport Panel (YPSP). Although Charlotte has only recently joined SDS, she is familiar with the events programme after playing a key role in the delivery throughout 2024. Helping out with events was an opportunity that came through being part of the YPSP, an experience Charlotte regards as being very beneficial: “I’ve definitely come a long way from where I started. I was very shy and didn’t want to put myself up for things and now I am putting myself down for anything that comes up.”

Opportunities to get involved in SDS events and develop your skills, is something that Charlotte believes to be a key benefit of sitting on the YPSP.

She said: “Half the stuff I have done, like going to conferences, helping with events, being that first person you see when you come to an event, that was quite scary at the start, but through working with the panel and working with other people and doing these opportunities, it has definitely helped in learning new skills.”

“If it wasn’t for the panel I wouldn’t have done half of this,” said Charlotte.

Charlotte also explained that there is a social benefit to the panel: “We just get on so well, even if we don’t see each other all the time, we still pick up conversations. It’s just amazing.”

Charlotte was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome when she was in school. This diagnosis resulted in her joining the Young Start programme, which provided her with the chance to gain new skills and further her love for sport.

“I am passionate about disability sport because I was new to having a disability so that’s why I wanted to join the YPSP and the Young Start programme to kickstart my coaching journey,” Charlotte explained.

Along with helping with events, Charlotte has become a key member of SDS member branch, Forth Valley Disability Sport, by regularly volunteering.

“One day something just clicked and I knew that I had found my people and my passion for disability sport. I am involved with a lot of ASN/Disability sport sessions and events with Forth Valley Disability Sport and Falkirk Active Schools. It gives me a buzz that I am working in an area that I absolutely love working in. The same goes for working with SDS.”

“From day one I knew these were my people and that’s where I belonged and I can’t thank the whole team enough for everything they have done to help and support me on this journey,” said Charlotte.

Moving forward, Charlotte is excited to join the team: “I’m definitely looking forward to working at more events and getting stuck in with the team.”

If you also would be interested in getting involved with SDS’ events, make sure to register your initial interest to become a volunteer or camper at this year’s Summer Camp. The Summer Camp provides both participants and volunteers with some fantastic opportunities to get involved in a week of fun and adventure throughout the Scottish Highlands, the camp takes place at Badaguish, near Aviemore, from the 9th – 11th July. To become a volunteer make sure to register your interest by the 28th of February, and likewise to take your first step towards becoming a camper, register your interest by the 23rd of March.

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

24/01/2025

Participants Wanted to Trial Children’s Prosthetic Knee

A group of researchers at Imperial College London are seeking participants to provide feedback on a new prosthetic knee for children globally.

They have been working hard with children and teenagers all over the world to understand what changes are wanted for a new affordable prosthetic knee. They want to make sure every child has access to a prosthetic limb no matter where they live.

They have made a new knee design with exciting new features in different sizes. Therefore, if you are a child or teenager with lower limb loss above or through the knee joint, they want to hear from you.

For more information and to express your interest in getting involved, please refer to this accessible document, here.

Please note that if you are accepted as a participant, all your travel expenses, including any necessary hotel stays in London, will be covered. This would include any expenses for parents and children attending.

Further information about the researches involved in the project, is available here:

17/01/2025

Hollie Fullerton Joins SDS as New YPSP Administrator

Committed to influencing change across Scotland, meet the new Young Person’s Sports Panel Administrator: Hollie Fullerton.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

Hollie Fullerton joins the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) team, taking up the role as the new Young Person’s Sports Pannel (YPSP) Administrator. This is an exciting opportunity for Hollie – who is a current member of the YPSP – who is committed to influencing disability sport across Scotland. They said: “It’s been something I’ve always been passionate about but it’s only been really recently that I’ve been like, this is what I am here to do, this is what I want to do.”

Hollie starts their new role with lots of knowledge of what it is like to be a panel member, which gives them a real appreciation of the strengths and benefits of the panel. “I feel like I have gained so much from being around the panel, hearing everybody’s stories and their experiences in sport they have great knowledge and experience, it’s such a great place to be.”

Furthermore, they said: “My main goal for the panel is to really keep everyone engaged and to make sure that everyone is getting the most out of it, making sure that it is really led by them and directed by them.”

Something else that Hollie is keen to keep the panel engaged with is Euan’s Guide. Euan’s Guide is an organisation which helps promote accessible facilities, through individuals leaving reviews once they have visited and used them. This is something that Hollie and the rest of the YPSP are incredibly keen to promote with the hope that more knowledge and awareness of inclusive and accessible sport and leisure facilities will result in more individuals being able to become physically active.

“I think it is the kind of thing that we could all be doing. It’s nice to have done the process myself so I can say that it’s not difficult.”

Hollie continued to say, “I think there are so many things that would make things more accessible for everybody and so many little changes that would make everybody feel more included.”

Euan’s Guide can help individuals know about the accessibility of various areas and aspects of a facility. “It’s really good for people who have physical adaptations and are needing to know if there are certain requirements.”

Hollie joins SDS with lots of experience of working in disability sport, through several volunteering and coaching events.

“Before I knew I had autism, I was involved with disability sports as a coach, at a grass roots level called All Stars.” For Hollie, this formed the basis of their learning and coaching philosophy.

“It totally shaped me. It was my first coaching job”, Hollie said. The organisational values and purposes of Beeslack All Stars Disabled Sports Club helped Hollie understand what is important about sports and how it can be such a social network for members. “The main thing with All Stars that made it so infectious was that it had whole families involved. Parents and siblings would get to come along as well. It just had a really nice feel to it. Everybody was welcome, it was all hands-on deck.” 

As well as their role with the YPSP, Hollie works for LEAP Sports Scotland as a Training and Development Officer. This has resulted with Hollie joining SDS with a wealth of knowledge, including delivering LGBTQIA+ active inclusion training/information sessions. These sessions provide best practice guidance for including LGBTQIA+ people in sport, as well as helpful terminology to understand and explain the barriers to sport many LGBTQIA+ people can experience.

This is something that Hollie feels passionate about and something they feel like they can add with their own personal experience. “Being non-binary, I found it quite hard to find my place in sport which is so often unnecessarily gender-segregated and so it feels really important to me to be able, and trusted by LEAP, to educate others on trans-inclusive sport in particular. Since I have had personal experience of making some big inclusivity changes in student sport already, I think that set me up well to speak about how easy it can sometimes be to make an environment not just accepting but properly welcoming”, said Hollie.

This role with LEAP Sport is something that Hollie feels can positively impact their role with the SDS YPSP.

If you would be interested in finding out more about Euan’s Guide and how to leave a review, you can do so by visiting their website.

If you are looking for an adventure this summer, registration is now open for SDS’s annual Summer Camp: participant form and volunteer form.

To keep up-to-date on all of SDS’s ongoing work. Make sure to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram andX.

08/01/2025

Glasgow 2026 Announces Senior Team for Commonwealth Games

The Glasgow 2026 Organising Company has today announced the executive team who will lead the organisation to deliver the 23rd Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2026.

Phil Batty has been appointed Chief Executive Officer to deliver the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games alongside a senior team with a wealth of expertise and experience
of delivering major sporting events in Scotland. Jade Gallagher has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer; Faye Shaw, joins as Chief Financial and Corporate Services Officer; Louisa Mahon joins as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer; and Martin Fitchie joins as Chief Information Officer.

Glasgow 2026 will take place from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026 and feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor of the
city. The Games are being delivered by the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

Batty joins Glasgow 2026 with a strong and impressive track record in major event delivery having previously been Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen’s Baton Relay for the
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. In his role as CEO of SKYMAGIC, a world-leading drone light show business, Batty has worked internationally to deliver a programme of
global shows and events. He brings significant experience of realising the social impact from events, having held senior positions for the UK City of Culture programme and as
Board member of Spirit of 2012, the London Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Funder.

Batty is looking forward to leading Glasgow 2026, “I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed as Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company, for what is set to be a unique
and truly special Games. Glasgow and Scotland have such a strong reputation in delivering world-class major events and I am confident we will be a brilliant host for the 23rd
Commonwealth Games.

“Delivering the Games is a team effort, which will bring over £100m of inward investment into the city, and I am looking forward to working with such a hugely talented workforce,
experienced network of suppliers, partners, and local communities to bring the vision for Glasgow 2026 to life.

“Delivering at pace and without public funding, means that we, as an Organising Company, and our partners, need to think differently and innovatively. Glasgow 2026 will be fuelled by
the legacy of 2014 – venues, talent and expertise – and of course the world-renowned Glasgow welcome. As we prepare for next year, we are determined to create an accessible
and inclusive Games for both local communities and international visitors alike.”

Jade Gallagher joins Glasgow 2026 as Chief Operating Officer, having formerly been Championships Director of the hugely successful World Athletics Indoor Championships
held in Glasgow last year, and having held senior event operations roles at Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council, including working on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships,
COP26, the 2018 European Championships and Festival 2014 as part of the previous Commonwealth Games in the city.

Louisa Mahon joins the Organising Company as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer from Renfrewshire Council, where she was Head of Marketing, Communications and
Events. Louisa was a member of the Council’s Corporate Management Team and directed cultural regeneration in Renfrewshire, including leading the campaign for Paisley’s Bid for
UK’s City of Culture in 2021.

Faye Shaw, who was Managing Director of Serco Business Services and CFO of VIVO Defence Services, has significant commercial, operational and financial expertise and will oversee
the corporate services of Glasgow 2026.

Martin Fitchie brings a wealth of Games expertise to Glasgow 2026, having worked as the Head of Results Technology Services for Glasgow 2014 and subsequently across a wide
range of multi-sport events and championships in Scotland. Martin has been a key part of the working group that developed the Glasgow 2026 concept, and has a deep knowledge of all the excellent work undertaken to date to prepare venues in the city for major events and for 2026, ensuring continuity of planning and enabling the Organising Company to continue to move quickly and build on the strong foundations and business collectively set in motion.

George Black CBE, Chair of the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company, said; ‘We welcome Phil, Jade, Louisa, Faye and Martin, to their new roles on the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company
executive team. This is a hugely talented and experienced major events team, and I am looking forward to working closely with them bring the vision for Glasgow 2026 to life.

“We have brought together a passionate and skilled team with a real mix of experience to ensure that we will deliver the best possible Games for the people of Glasgow, Scotland
and the Commonwealth.”

Katie Sadleir NZOM, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Federation said; “We are delighted that the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company has secured such an experienced
senior leadership team to help deliver the Games, and we look forward to working closely with Phil and his colleagues. Having the leadership team in place is an important milestone
as we continue our journey with confidence towards Glasgow 2026.’

02/01/2025

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 Culture East 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.

27/12/2024

Boccia 2024 Recap: A Year of Sport

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

What a year it has been for boccia across Scotland. Throughout the year, events, partnership working and sponsorships along with new playing opportunities and developing clubs have all played a factor in increasing the interest in this rising sport.

EVENTS

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) would like to thank all coaches, volunteers, officials and athletes for the role that they have played in the event schedule this year. It would not have been possible without their ongoing support.

SCOTTISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The national events calendar kicked off on March 20th, with the Scottish Schools Championship. The event went well and there was no drop in the number of entries from the inaugural championship (in 2023). It was a great day at The Peak, Stirling, with branches being able to showcase their talent and put forward the same representation as previous years.

Across the day there was some great boccia on display, with athletes keen to come up trumps in all classifications. Starting with athletes with an Assistive Device, gold went to Sophia Walsh, silver to Ellie MacLaren and bronze to Logan Millar. In the athletes with a Learning Disability classification, gold went to Eleanor Little, silver to Scott Chafey and bronze being won by Kate Burton. In the final classification, athletes with a Physical Disability, Layla McCloskey came out on top to take the gold medal, followed by Emma McManamon with silver and bronze going to James O’Brien.

SCOTTISH OPEN

Next up was the Scottish Open, which took place on the 5th October. It was a great championship with athletes from all over Scotland coming together to showcase their respective boccia abilities.

In the BC2, Perth and Kinross’s Alex Medley came out victorious, winning gold. Kayleigh Brown (nee Haggo) finished second and bronze was awarded to Lewis McConnell.

In the BC3, gold went to Paralympics GB’s Patrick Wilson and Meredith Greenwood. In second place and picking up the silver prize was the duo of Ross MacNeil and Stewart MacNeil.

In the BC4, gold went to Paralympic champion Stephen McGuire. Silver was won by Tyler McLelland with bronze going to Fiona Muirhead

The Open had a Development Draw which acted as a further opportunity to develop young talent across Scotland. The event also enabled up-and-coming athletes to experience a national tournament, which gave them valuable exposure.

In the Development Draw, the Physical Disability Competition gold went to James O’Brien, silver to Murrin Widley and bronze being won by Layla McCloskey.

In the Development Draw, Assistive Device Competition, gold went to Zac Cameron and Kevin Davidson, silver to Ellie McLaren and Lisa Mclaren, and finishing in bronze was Caoimhe Potter and Katie Macmillan.

SDS NATIONAL NON BISFED SCOTTISH OPEN

Next up was the SDS National Non BISFed Scottish Open. The event took place on October 26th, with athletes from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland competing.

Starting in the athletes who use an assistive device competition the Scotts had a strong Showing, with Ross & Stewart MacNeil winning gold with Becky and Fiona Tyler winning the silver.  The junior athletes with a physical disability winner was Oliver Hastings from England with silver going to Emma McManamon and bronze to James O’Brien.

Next up was the Senior athletes with a physical disability. The winner was Duncan McIntyre, silver was won by Connor Dixon.

The female Learning disability Champion was Sarah Digby, with silver going to Zoe Irving and bronze won by Casey Wilson. The event finished with the male learning disability competition. The champion being Hayden Keir, silver going to Jordan Shepherd and the bronze medal going to Jean Pierre Cossigny.

UK CHAMPIONSHIPS

On the 15th of November the UK Championships began. Taking place at the renowned facilities owned by Sportscotland at Largs, Inverclyde. It was a great championships with 39 players arriving on the west coast of Scotland in a bid to come out victorious. The day had 7 Scottish athletes. With Paralympic trio winning medals. Winning BC3 Gold was Patrick Wilson. Finishing on top in the BC4 and taking home Gold was Stephen McGuire. Kayleigh Brown had another strong compitition and finished Silver in the BC2.

BOCCIA DEVELOPMENT DAY

The Inaugural Invitational Boccia Development Day took place on the 30th of November. This day saw five of Scotland’s up and coming athletes being invited along to learn from two of Scotland’s most prolific boccia coaches from the national set up. The day served a purpose of getting young athletes and providing them with an opportunity to develop their skills and abilities, with a possibility that this will result in the athletes being able to continue along the national performance pathway.

PARIS 2024 PARALYMPICS

The Paralympics took place from the 28th August to 5th September. Three Scots were selected to represent ParalympicsGB: Kayleigh Brown, Patrick (Paddy) Wilson and Stephen McGuire.

What a Paralympics this was, with Kayleigh Brown achieving her childhood dream and becoming the Paralympian she always wanted to be. Kayleigh put in a really strong showing throughout the group stages and was defeated in the Individual BC2 quarter finals, 8 – 2 by Gischa Zayana. In the BC1/2 team competition Kayleigh Brown was joined by Claire Taggart and David Smith. The team had a good run to take them through to the quarter finals. Despite being down early in the match the trio battled back to take the game down to a nail-biting finish where they were beaten by the BC1/2 Indonesian team in a 7 – 7 tie break.

Paddy Wilson qualified for the Paralympics through a bipartite slot. Paddy put in an impressive showing in the group stages to finish in second place. However, Paddy was defeated in the quarter finals despite a strong performance, going down 4 – 1 to Damien Iskrzycki.

It will be hard to forget about BC4 athlete, Stephen McGuire’s tournament. From qualifying through a bipartite slot, to being the first Scottish athlete to win a Paralympic medal in boccia. A dream he has waited 20 years to fulfill.

Stephen wasn’t the only McGuire making waves out in Paris with brother Peter commentating in the BC4 final, giving all the McGuires a moment to look back on with pride.

NATIONAL BOCCIA DAY

National Boccia day took place on 27th of September. The day saw each home nation pick their own theme to engage the boccia community. SDS chose to raise the topic of communities. Boccia plays a vital role in growing and connecting communities, from friendships to support networks. Throughout the day, SDS member branches, clubs, athletes, volunteers and officials all showed how the community of boccia has impacted them.

SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP

In 2024, Scottish boccia had a first by receiving financial support from Shepherd Chartered Surveyors. This was provided to support further boccia development throughout Scotland. The backing from Shepherd will help fund SDS’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for people of all abilities, to try and participate in boccia across the country.

Throughout 2024, SDS have continued to work with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. The organisation has worked hard to develop the sport of boccia within their network to ensure that more individuals can continue to gain the psychological and physiological benefits of boccia. Currently the organisation has got over 300 regular participants playing boccia in their bases, with 20 boccia sessions being delivered within their peer groups.

SDS made decent progress in 2024, in the education sector. Working alongside the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA), updates were made to the list of activities in which young people can assessed as part of their PE qualifications at National 3 through to Advanced Higher level in school.

This has resulted in school pupils throughout the 2024 -25 school year being able to have their performance assessed in Paralympic sports such as boccia, goalball and other wheelchair, powerchair and Parasport activities.

CLUBS AND OPPORTUNITIES

In 2024 Forth Vally Right on Target boccia club were made an associate member club of SDS. This was due to the club continuing to provide a service that is up to date with relevant legislations, policies and procedures. Furthermore, the club committed to continually meeting SDS’s minimum operating requirements.

Throughout 2024 SDS has received feedback from organisations, about the rising popularity of boccia. This can be seen by the work that Scottish Student Sport have put into developing a strong playing base; with boccia being their fifth most popular sport in 2024, with 181 sessions and over 2000 participants taking part across their associated Universities and Colleges.

The popularity, interest and demand for boccia has continued to grow throughout 2024. The 2023-2024 boccia audit showed that there is currently 39 opportunities to get involved in boccia. These opportunities are found within 18 local authorities across Scotland.

If you would be interested in finding out more about these opportunities, you can do so by reaching out to your Regional Development Manager. This manager will be able to provide you with information on local opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, coach, official or player.

Alternatively, you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy by email: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com

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