Tag: SDS

16/03/2026

Women and Girls in Boccia: Rachael Page’s Story

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer

Rachael Page started playing boccia around 10 years ago, through one of Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS’s) member branches, Disability Sport – Fife. She started playing boccia as a means to meet new people, play a new sport and experience the benefits that come with getting physically active. Rachael has cerebral palsy which affects all four of her limbs and so boccia provided the ideal opportunity for achieving the above.

It wasn’t long though until Rachael realised that she wanted to play boccia in a competitive environment: “I have wanted to play boccia competitively since I was a wee girl when I was still at high school. I absolutely love my boccia,” she said.

Alongside playing weekly in Glenrothes, Rachael also trains alongside the Tayside regional team. This has resulted in her being coached by some of the best available coaches, such as Darren and Sam Thompson. Rachael remarked on how this has positively impacted her, “They’ve been brilliant, they really have. It’s good as it is showing me loads of things, for example how to throw the balls with different techniques.”

All of Rachael’s hard work and commitment to her craft, came to fruition in early 2026, as she won Senior Sportsperson of the Year at Disability Sport – Fife’s awards ceremony. She reflected on this achievement: “To have been selected for the national Boccia Squad, and to win this award, I’m just over the moon, it’s a great way to start the year.”

One of Rachael’s favorite elements of the game is the social aspect, allowing her to meet and socialise with new groups “I enjoy it and it’s a good way of socialising and making friends with new people,” Rachael said.

The impact of role models is something that Rachael has started to notice recently.

Rachael told SDS that: “My goals are to follow in the footsteps of Kayleigh Brown.”

She believes that Kayleigh is a fantastic ambassador for the sport. “I think Kayleigh is a great role model because she has a great personality and is a great player.”

In 2025, Rachael was successfully classified as a BC2 athlete. This along with her consistent levels of performance has resulted in her being selected to be part of the Scottish National Boccia Squad in 2026. This resulted in her attending a training camp that was hosted in Sportscotland’s National Centre Inverclyde. Rachael really enjoyed her experiences with the squad, and can already see it impacting her positively “It was an amazing experience, I learnt a lot in terms of my posture when throwing the ball.” Said Rachael. Alongwith the training camp providing Rachael with opportunities to develop on the court, Rachael enjoyed having an opportunity to meet other members of the squad, including her role model Kayleigh Brown “I got the chance to eventually meet Kayleigh, and we got the chance to play each other in our drills. She is amazing, and to see how she plays, obviously I have a long way to go, but it just shows where I could end up.” Rachel explained.

Along with having her own role models, Rachael feels strongly about the importance of female role models to inspire the next generation of women and girls, commenting: “I think it’s important to have more female role models in boccia because there aren’t many females that compete in boccia and I think that it would be great to see more females play competitively in boccia as well.”

Rachael has learnt first-hand how boccia can help people to overcome barriers “You can never say no to anyone from boccia. It’s amazing what people can do, it really is.”

Rachael has become extremely grateful for all of her experiences; from training weekly and regionally to taking part in events and making friends.

“A lot of these things are things I didn’t think I would do and I am really grateful for the opportunities that I have had.”

If you like the sound of some of the experiences that Rachael has had, and you would be interested in trying out boccia, contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer on: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com to find out what opportunities there are to take part in the sport as a player, volunteer, coach or official.

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

26/02/2026

National Boccia Training Camp 2026 Recap

Largs played host to the National Boccia Training Camp, which was held earlier this month (13th to 15th February) at sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde.

Attending the camp were seven national players plus one development player from Scotland, as well as five players and a couple coaches from Disability Sport Norther Ireland (DSNI).

The camp kicked off on the Friday with a ‘connections and culture’ workshop. This allowed for the new squad members to hear from the more experienced players about the impact and involvement of being in the squad, followed by the opportunity to discuss player’s aspirations.

This was followed by a two-hour long skills session with DSNI.

The Saturday was a jampacked day of training from 9am to 6pm, divided into a morning and afternoon session. Players were separated into small groups of mixed classifications and squads. This allowed players to learn from each other, share insights and tips and gain an understanding of the different skills required per player.

Each group also had access to a selection of coaches from both Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and DSNI.

Scottish squad member, Fiona Muirhead, commented on the day saying: “Having coaches and athletes from Northern Ireland has provided a good opportunity to play against new players, particularly those we don’t play often, it was also good to engage with new coaches and different coaching styles. It just gives us a bit more variety and an opportunity to push ourselves more.”

After the intense day of training on Saturday, the evening’s entertainment involved a quiz and music bingo – it was quite the social affair!

Sunday provided players with the opportunity to put their learning from Saturday to the test, with games played from 9am to 12noon in proper matchday format.

SDS’ Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, regarded the camp a big success. He said, “It was fantastic to have a joint camp with players and coaches from DSNI.

“I feel the camp is invaluable to everyone who attended as everyone can share their knowledge and experience and as a result support player and coach development.

“This joint camp, which has been done for a few years now, allowed for close partnership working between both SDS and DSNI. The set up supports players across the national squad pathway through to those on the world class programme and I believe it is a unique set up that we have with both countries playing a part in shaping the camp.”

He continued to say: “It was also great to see young up and coming development players attending with their coaches to work with the other coaches and players both in gaining information but sharing their knowledge and experience. ”

Fiona added to this, saying: “The Scottish Camp always has such a lovely atmosphere. It was really exciting to see the new faces, particularly the new female faces joining the group.”

Reflecting on the weekend, Scottish and Boccia UK Performance coach, Claire Morrison, said: “It is always great to get our Scottish Squad players together for an intensive couple of days training and matchplay.

“Having the opportunity to work alongside our friends from Northern Ireland also brings a different dimension and variety to our work. It is a really important way to start the season both technically and from a connectivity perspective.

“There is a great mix of experience and youth in the group of players and I love to see how they work together and support each other to learn and have fun in this environment.”

Photo of a young man in his wheelchair with red and blue boccia balls. He is wearing a green Northern Ireland boccia training kit.

If you would like to find out more about boccia and how you can get involved as a player, official, volunteer, coach, education practitioner, please get in contact with SDS’ boccia development manager at: jonathan.kennedy@sottishdisabilitysport.co.uk or call: 0131 317 1130

To find out how you can get involved in disability sport throughout your area as a participant, coach, official or volunteer, contact your Regional Development Manager.

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

18/12/2025

Grace Stirling Rejoins SDS Family in New Role

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is delighted to welcome Grace Stirling in a new role at SDS, as Disability Identity and Sport Developer.

Grace returns to SDS after working as the Young Persons’ Sport Panel (YPSP) Administrator (2023-2024) and before that, sitting on the panel herself. We caught up with Grace to find out all about this new and exciting opportunity.

Question: Can you tell us about your new role and responsibilities?

I’m very excited to be returning to SDS as the Disability Identity and Sport Developer. I was part of the original group of young people who created the Disability, Identity and Sport workshop, and I’ve supported its delivery ever since. We’ll continue to run the original workshop, and I’m keen to reach even more young disabled people and other audiences too.

In my new role, I’ll also be supporting the current YPSP and Young Start members to design and deliver a new workshop on disability advocacy. Having had the chance as a young person to shape a workshop myself, I know how important lived experience is in creating something meaningful and relevant.

Now, I’m excited to see the current members take the lead. Advocacy is such an important part of life with a disability, yet there are few places for young people to learn and build this skill. The young people have highlighted it as a topic they’re passionate about, and I’m looking forward to helping them use their experiences to bring this new workshop to life.

What does this new role mean for you?

Returning to SDS feels really special to me. It’s an organisation where I’ve grown a lot, built my confidence, and felt genuinely listened to as a young disabled person. Now being able to support other young people to have those same experiences means a lot to me.

What are you ambitions within this role?

My main ambition in this role is to make sure the workshops reach as many people as possible, especially the young people who need them most. It’s also really important to me that disabled young people get the chance to use their voices and lived experience to educate and influence those who work with disabled young people and those who work in sport and that the learning from these workshops has a lasting impact on practice.

Welcome back, Grace!

09/12/2025

My Time as the Young Start Events’ Assistant

A Year of Empowerment and Inclusion with Scottish Disability Sport

By Charlotte Askham

For me, the past year has been nothing short of transformative. As the Young Start Events Assistant with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), I has played a vital role in delivering inclusive sporting events across the country, supporting athletes with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, vision impairments and hearing loss.

“I am incredibly grateful to SDS, Josh, and Kirsty for this amazing opportunity,” Charlotte shared. “It’s been a year of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.”

From swimming competitions to boccia tournaments, I have taken on a variety of responsibilities including registration, social media and results coordination. These hands-on roles have helped my build confidence and gain valuable insights into event logistics and team collaboration.

One standout moment was the national Summer Camp held in Aviemore—a three-day event for young athletes aged 10 to 17. “Supporting my team and watching them push past boundaries was incredibly inspiring,”. “And yes—our team won! Go greens!”

Reflecting on my journey, I highlighted the diverse skill that I have developed, from communication and teamwork to event planning. My time with SDS has laid a strong foundation for future opportunities in sport and community engagement.

This story is a testament to the power of inclusive sport and the impact of youth development programs. As I looks ahead, her passion and experience promise to make waves in whatever comes next.

A massive thank you to the National Lottery Young Start Funding for providing this opportunity of a role within SDS.

03/12/2025

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, 4 February 2026
Interviews: Week beginning 9 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 4 February 2026.

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

20/09/2025

Scottish Disability Sport Calls for Urgent Action to Remove Barriers to Sport and Physical Activity

Today, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is launching a four-point Call to Action that is calling on organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity.

The four-point Call to Action follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.

The national survey revealed that 40% of people with a disability in Scotland are worried about losing their benefits if they are seen to be more physically active. With nearly 1 in 5 respondents doing no physical activity each week, yet 73% expressing a desire to do more, the results from the survey highlight concerns around the benefits system, rising living costs, public transport and more.

SDS is urging government, local authorities, health boards, education providers, leisure trusts and third-sector organisations to recognise the rights of people with a disability, as set out in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and to collaborate on systemic change.

Key actions called for include:

Plan to include

Reduce inequalities for people with disabilities through inclusive strategy, policy, development and proportionate funding.

Invest in systemic change to remove barriers to accessible travel, affordable and accessible facilities and inclusive spaces.

Deliver an inclusive whole system approach

Every person with a disability has the right to take part in quality inclusive physical activity, physical education and sport.

A health and social care system that prescribes appropriate physical activity opportunities at every stage of the individual’s pathway.

A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active

Provide safeguards to reassure people with disabilities that being active will not negatively impact any government financial assistance.

Those in receipt of Self-Directed Support in Scotland should be able and encouraged to use their budget to engage in physical activity and sport.

Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach

Collaborate with partners across sectors to champion intersectionality within policy, strategy and development.

Ensure the needs of people with disabilities with intersecting identities are considered and met by co-design with those with lived experience.

95% of survey respondents believe physical activity helps their mental health and wellbeing yet over 90% do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, with less than half of survey respondents receiving encouragement from a health or social care professional to be more active.

Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said, “This Call to Action is a really important piece of work for Scottish Disability Sport, as it is based on the evidence gathered from our first ever National Survey which we delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University. The evidence clearly shows that there are four urgent priorities that must be addressed to create a more inclusive and active society for people with disabilities. These four Calls to Action will influence our work and the work of our many partners in Scotland and beyond.”

SDS calls on a systemic change to create a more inclusive and active Scotland.

You can view the full Call to Actions in full detail, via this PDF here.

05/09/2025

Nominations Open for Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2025

Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to partner in the 2025 Glasgow’s Sport Awards.

The awards bring together athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools and community organisations to celebrate sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow.

Nominations are now open across 10 categories so let us know who gets your vote.

Who Gets Your Vote?

To nominate a person, organisation or project that has made a real difference to sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow visit here: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/glasgows-sport-awards-2025/

The website contains full descriptors and criteria for the awards with the link to our online nomination form. If you have any questions then get in touch with: gsa@glasgowlife.org.uk

Glasgow’s Sport Awards Categories
Glasgow Business Contribution Award
Glasgow Coach of the Year Award
Glasgow Community Impact Award
Glasgow Disabled Athlete of the Year Award
Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Award
Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award
Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award
Uniting Glasgow Award
Glasgow Unsung Hero Award
Glasgow Young Sportsperson of the Year Award

Nominations close at midnight on Tuesday 30th September 2025.

05/09/2025

JOB ALERT: Trusts and Grants Fundraising Post

Renumeration: £20 per hour
Hours: 15 – 20 hours per week (subject to agreement)
Duration: 12 months fixed term, with a potential for extension depending on success.
Contract Type: Contract for Services (on a Self-employed basis)
Responsible to: SDS Head of Policy
Deadline: 12pm, 26th September 2025

Interviews: Wednesday 8 October 2025 (Time TBC)
Workplace: Remote or office based working is available. SDS are based at Forthstone
Office, 56 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9EB.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is looking for a talented Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to inspire funders to support SDS in achieving our vision to ensure sport and physical activity in Scotland are welcoming and inclusive for participants with disabilities. SDS is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Our strategic plan, which directs our work, can be found here on our website.

Are you a sensitive storyteller, enthusiastic fundraiser, confident collaborator and dedicated researcher? You will design compelling funding applications, innovate new ways to connect with Trusts and Foundations, and steward vital income for our projects and services.

This role will enable SDS to grow its impact, strengthen donor relationships, diversify funding sources, and support long-term financial sustainability. Do you –

Have a strong track record of securing funding via trusts and grants for organisations in the
third sector?
Have the ability to create engaging and innovative storytelling to evidence the positive
impact of funding for people with a disability in Scotland?
Have the knowledge and expertise to harness new ways of connecting to trusts, foundations
and philanthropists?

You will be part of a dynamic and energetic team at SDS who support people with disabilities in Scotland to engage in sport and be more active.

To apply, please submit your C.V. and a cover letter indicating your suitability for the role to:
Mark Gaffney, SDS Head of Policy at mark.gaffney@Scottishdisabilitysport.com

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

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: