Tag: Sport

28/01/2025

The Power of Boccia: Duncan McIntyre’s Story

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer

Sport offers everyone something different. For Duncan McIntyre, sport has provided him with so much: from competing in local matches in Tayside to playing in national from travelling around Scotland to playing in national competitions and travelling around Scotland.

One of the most significant benefits that boccia has provide Duncan with, is the opportunity to socialise and to gain the many benefits that being part of a club can offer.

Duncan is 63 years old and had a stroke approximately eleven years ago. In the aftermath of this, Duncan wanted to still push himself and experience the physical and psychological benefits that sport and physical activity can provide.

This resulted in Duncan being introduced to Perth Eagles Boccia Club and a boccia group called the Sparks. Duncan explained, “I went to the Sparks and they introduced me to boccia. I am very grateful for this”.

Through playing boccia, Duncan has seen a real increase in his opportunities to become physically active and socialise. “I play once a week with the Eagles and on a Saturday with the Sparks for team games.”

“I like being part of a team, it is nice.”

Duncan believes that his introduction to boccia has played an important role in his social life, commenting: “I am a lot more social through boccia”.

One of the many attributes a club can provide is managing to create a collective group of individuals with similar interests. This is certainly something that Duncan has found, saying: “There is a great group of people.”

Graeme Doig, the Regional Development Manager for Tayside and Branch Coordinator for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) Member Branch, Perth and Kinross Disability Sport, expanded by saying, “Perth Eagles boccia club offers local opportunities for people with disabilities to come together to get active in the sport of boccia. We have worked hard to create a culture and sense of belonging at the club where everyone is welcome and encouraged to meet new people, learn new skills, gain confidence and most importantly, have fun.”

Alongside meeting fellow players throughout the Tayside region, Duncan has had the opportunity to meet and compete against some of the country’s finest boccia players. “I’ve actually met Stephen McGuire, I played him at Inverclyde”, Duncan said. Meeting the now BC4 Paralympic champion has been a highlight for Duncan.

“It’s a good experience to meet these kinds of guys.”

A further highlight for Duncan came this year, when he became the 2024 SDS National non-BISFed Open Champion, where he came out trumps in the Senior Athletes with a physical disability competition.

Duncan has found himself traveling over Scotland competing in boccia, saying: “I’ve been to Dumfries and I have been to Aberdeen.” Similarly to the 2024 non BISFED Scottish Open, Duncan didn’t leave empty handed. “I got a silver in Aberdeen and me and Alex (Meddley) got gold in Dumfries”, Duncan explained.

Alongside the social aspects of boccia, Duncan has found himself gaining far more from the sport. “There are the physical benefits as well. When I had my stroke, I could only use one hand. It has made it stronger”, said Duncan.

The continued development of Duncan is something that Graeme Doig has also noticed. “It’s been amazing to see Duncan’s progress over the years with us, he’s always had that competitive edge about his play. When he started, I could see his potential straight away and to be crowned National Boccia Champion in 2024 was an incredible achievement and fantastic recognition for all his dedication and hard work he puts into his sport.” Graeme said, before adding: “Duncan is a very popular member of Perth Eagles and with fellow competitors across the country with his friendly, caring and supportive approach.”

To find out more about boccia opportunities throughout your area, reach out to the SDS Boccia Development Manager Jonathan Kennedy on, jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

To find out what other sporting opportunities are available throughout your area, reach out to your Regional Development Manager.

To keep up to date on the latest disability sport news and opportunities across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and X.

27/01/2025

Gordon Reid Wins Sixth Straight Australian Open Title in Wheelchair Doubles

The victory alongside Alfie Hewett brings Reid’s Majors tally in doubles to a record 26 titles.

By Paul Morrison

Scotland’s Gordon Reid was victorious once again in Melbourne as the tennis legend clinched a sixth consecutive Australian Open title in the wheelchair doubles event.

Gordon sealed the championship on Friday (24th) morning with long-time doubles partner Alfie Hewett, defeating the pairing of Daniel Caverzaschi and Stephane Houdet in straight sets.

The championship saw Gordon earn his 26^th Grand Slam title in men’s doubles – extending his lead in the all-time records – while it also serves as the 22^nd major that the British duo have won together.

The Australian Open success extends the pair’s unbeaten start to the 2025 season in doubles, following last week’s Melbourne Wheelchair Open win.

Following the win, the 33-year-old Scot said that, “Never accepting and expecting to win and always trying to push ourselves” is the key to their success.

Gordon was also in action in the men’s singles tournament at the Australian Open as the 2016 champion defeated Belgium’s Joachim Gerard in the first round before falling to fourth seed Gustavo Fernandez in a tight quarter-final contest.

Coming into the doubles tournament as top seeds and five-time defending champions, Gordon and Alfie began their title defense in the quarter-final by quickly dispatching of Japanese duo Daisuke Arai and Takuya Miki 6-2, 6-0 in a one-sided contest that lasted just over an hour.

The semi-final saw the British duo face Martin de la Puente and Ruben Spaargaren from Spain and the Netherlands. While facing a tougher test against their opponents to reach the final, Gordon and Alfie battled through to win the match in straight sets, with a single break being enough to take both sets.

Fans in the UK would have to wake up in the early hours of Friday morning to watch the duo compete in the final of the year’s first Grand Slam as they played Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi and France legend Stephane Houdet at the KIA Arena for the chance to win their sixth Australian Open championship in a row.

Caverzaschi and Houdet took an early 2-1 lead in the first set after breaking Gordon’s service game before a 30-minute burst of form saw the British pair win five straight games to take the first set 6-2.

The second set started in identical fashion when Gordon’s serve was broken again to trail 2-1 before an instant break back saw the set go back on serve at 2-2. Gordon and Alfie struggled to get in front through the second set, unable to hold a break on Caverzaschi’s serve as Gordon lost his service game once more to keep the set level at 4-4.

Leading 5-4, the British pair applied pressure in the crucial game of the set and after some unforced errors by their opponents, Gordon and Alfie sealed the title by breaking serve in a tense game to seal another trophy in their prestigious careers.

In the post-match press conference, Gordon gave his thoughts of what drives the pair to continue creating history within wheelchair tennis and winning more tournaments, saying: “I think the key thing is just never resting on where we are and never being happy with our level, our performance, and always trying to improve.

“No matter which title we’ve won or which number it is, we always go back and review it and see where we can improve and get better.”

Alfie completed an Australian Open double as he took the title in the men’s wheelchair singles final, beating world number one Tokito Oda on Saturday (25th) morning.

There was more British success as Andy Lapthorne became champion in the quad wheelchair doubles in Melbourne for an eighth time.

Gordon will look to continue the early success in 2025 when he competes in February’s ABN Amro Open in Rotterdam.

(Source for quotes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba6eUKmmuUI&pp=ygUbZ29yZG9uIHJlaWQgYXVzdHJhbGlhbiBvcGVu)

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:

18/12/2024

John Dambrosio Finalist for UK Coaching Awards

Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion are so proud that our Head of Coaching Development, John Dambrosio was nominated and chosen as a finalist of the UK Coaching Awards Change a Life category. This is quite a remarkable accolade and achievement as John was the only Judo Coach to make the finalists in all categories and was also the only Scots person in all categories.

Most pleasing is that the nomination came outwith Judo by South Lanarkshire Disability Sport in recognition of the great work this year that John and his team have completed through the Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion Development Programme for Disability / ASN and Social Care Groups which was featured early in JS Facebook.

29/11/2024

The Motability Scheme Making the Power of Sport and Boccia Possible

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator

For Avril Starmore, moving to Shetland was a decision based on being closer to family. Then, she found boccia. She had no idea the impact boccia would have on her life.

Avril moved to Shetland from Dunfermline. This move wasn’t always plain sailing though, the lack of public transport and the rural nature of the island presented difficulties when trying to get out and into the community.

Avril was a Motability Scheme user, which proved to be an essential part when finding her love for boccia and the wider Shetland community.

“The car helps me get to boccia clubs, there is a ramp built in that I go up with my wheelchair then I can transfer onto the driver’s seat. If I didn’t have that I wouldn’t be able to get out.” Avril explained.

She went on to say, “If I didn’t have a Motability car there is no way I would get out into the community and clubs.”

Avril found out about boccia through Ability Shetland: “I came to Shetland three and a half years ago, I started going to a few of Ability Shetland’s clubs and I started volunteering with them just over a year ago.”

Now that Avril has been involved with boccia and dedicating her time to the sport she has decided to progress forward with her coaching.

“I’ve recently done the boccia leaders course and now I am learning to become a boccia coach”, she said.

This has led to Avril being a key member of the Ability Shetland delivery and volunteer team. “I’ve been going out to show boccia at various schools, day centres and clubs.”

Avril still uses many of Ability Shetland’s clubs. “I still go every Friday night to play, and then I go out through the week to deliver.”

Avril really enjoys being part of a team, but more so she loves getting to introduce people to the sport of boccia. “The way their faces light up when they manage to do something”, is her favorite thing about volunteering.

Making sessions fun and entertaining is something that Avril tries to always put at the forefront of her deliveries. “They keep thinking that I’m glueing the balls to the cones throughout the sessions, to challenge them to knock them off, they keep saying, ‘you’ve glued them on’, but I haven’t.” She joked.

Now Avril wants as many people to gain the benefits of boccia. “It’s about getting the word out about boccia. Up here a lot of people hadn’t heard about it until a short while ago, I know that I hadn’t heard of it until I moved here”, she said. This is a task she views as being possible.

“Last year we went to Dundee to play, there were loads of players and clubs down there it was great.”

This love and commitment that Avril has shown towards the sport of boccia throughout Shetland has led to her being nominated for an Eric Liddell Award. She went on to win the award for her dedication to the sport which has seen her deliver to over 100 school pupils in the last year alone. The enthusiasm she has for the sport is known to be contagious, and sure to be a contributing factor in many more people taking up the sport.

If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Manager at:

jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

If you would like to try volunteering, please contact your Regional Development Manager.

15/11/2024

Scotland Host UK Boccia Championships at Prestigious Inverclyde Venue

Scotland welcomes the best of British boccia for the UK Championships this weekend (16-17 November), at sportscotland’s national training centre in Inverclyde.

For Paralympic gold medallist, Stephen McGuire (BC4, Hamilton), it is the first time competing since his golden moment at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the summer. The world number one will be looking to continue his winning ways on home soil.

“The UK Championships is the showcase event in our domestic calendar. I’m super excited to be competing, especially in Scotland”, said Stephen.

He continued to say: “It’s always great to see the development of athletes coming through to challenge us athletes on the World Class Programme. Last year’s UK Championships saw all Talent Transition Squad athletes reach the podium. This demonstrates excellent depth within the UK and we will all need to perform well to reach the podium once again.”

Fellow Paralympians Kayleigh Brown (nee Haggo, BC2, Ayrshire) and Patrick Wilson (BC3, Lothian) will also be in action on the courts, joined by Scots Tyler McLelland (BC4, Fife), Alex Medley (BC2, Perth and Kinross) and brothers Scott and Paul McIntyre (BC4, Forth Valley).

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, visited Inverclyde on Friday (15th) to offer her best wishes to Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) ahead of competition starting on Saturday morning, as well as fitting in a quick game of boccia with Stephen.

Stephen McGuire and Maree Todd playing a boccia game at Inverclyde — Maree Todd MSP enjoying a game of boccia with Paralympian Stephen McGuire

The Minister expressed her great admiration for the sport and highlighted the impact that boccia can have in communities across Scotland.

“Boccia is the most amazing sport. It’s really inclusive and accessible”, said Ms Todd.

“Boccia provides an opportunity for everyone. Everyone can join in with boccia, that’s part of the beauty. But for some of our people who have complex disabilities, there are real challenges getting involved in physical activities. So it [boccia] is a competitive sport that is open to everyone.”

The Minister also praised Inverclyde as being a premier accessible venue in the UK, that prides itself being the first UK residential sports centre of its kind – designed for inclusivity.

“It’s absolutely vital. Without accessible venues these competitions can’t happen. There’s no hassle in this venue and it is really welcoming to absolutely everyone who wants to play sport. And it shows with a little bit of thought and a little bit of planning, a little bit of work with the community, what can be achieved and I want more of that all over Scotland. All over the UK, so that all of our athletes can have the chance to compete”, said Maree Todd MSP.

Kayleigh Brown – who recently just got married to sports assistant Kevin – also returns to the court following her Paralympic debut in Paris:

“It’s been really busy since Paris – we got married, we’ve been on honeymoon and we have moved house – so I haven’t been able to train much but I’m really looking forward to this weekend. It’s always a great competition which brings the four nations together and gives me the opportunity to compete for Scotland. It’s brilliant to see a high number of entries and I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

Whilst the UK Championships is the first event of the 2028 Paralympic cycle, with some athletes’ sights set on LA 2028, the championships provides a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to showcase the best of boccia.

You can follow the action live on the SDS website via the live results page and livestream (link available soon), as well as seeing behind-the-scenes content posted across the SDS social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and X).

13/11/2024

New Job: Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside Programme Administrator

Salary: £24,000

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: 9am on Friday 22 November 2024

Interviews: Friday 29 November 2024 (Time TBC)

Are you a dynamic and enthusiastic team player who has a passion for inclusion?

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), in partnership with NHS Tayside and the Tayside Charitable Foundation is seeking to appoint a Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside Programme Administrator to support disabled and non-disabled people to take part in fun and inclusive physical activity across Tayside.

The post holder will work in partnership with local partners to develop and deliver physical activity opportunities.

The successful candidate will have understanding and experience of administrative processes and procedures as well as being organised, IT literate and self-motivated with excellent communication, prioritisation and time management skills. Experience and knowledge of marketing, communications, website management and social media will also be required.

This post will be Dundee office/home based and will be line managed by the GOGA Tayside Programme Manager. Full time, part-time and flexible hours options will be considered for discussion with the successful candidate. SDS will also consider employment or secondment arrangements with agreement from current employer.

For a full job description, candidate specification and application form, see our website: www.scottishdisabilitysport.com or apply online using the links below:

If you would like more information on the post, please contact Iona McKay, GOGA Programme Manager on 07971 641208, or at iona.mckay@nhs.scot.

Scottish Disability Sport is an equal opportunities employer, and our recruitment, selection and assessment process is based entirely on values, skills and competencies required of the specific roles.

10/11/2024

Awards Success for Para Sport Heroes

Awards season is upon us, and a number of fantastic coaches and volunteers have been recognised for their significant efforts in disability sport.

At this year’s Eric Liddell Awards, Ron McArthur very deservedly collected the Outstanding Services to Sport Award for his lifelong dedication to developing para bowls.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, at the Scottish Women in Sport Awards, our very own Boccia guru, Claire Morrison, was awarded Coach of the Year for her efforts in coaching Stephen McGuire to BC4 gold medal glory at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. Unfortunately, Steph couldn’t be there to congratulate Claire in person as he was busy picking up his very own Eric Liddell Award on the same evening!

The sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards saw a trio of para sport coach successes across the evening.

The Janice Eaglesham Award Disability Sports Coach of the Year Award (an award dedicated to our late Chair) was scooped up by Neil Russell of the Adaptive Riders’ Collective. Neil earned this award for his work in improving and promoting accessibility and inclusivity in cycling.

SDS Young Person’s Sports Panel and Forth Valley Disability Sport member, Charlotte Askham, took home the Young Volunteer of the Year award after clocking up more than 800 hours over the course of a year whilst volunteering at a range of Branch and SDS sessions and events.

Later in the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award came home with Dundee pair, Jen Quinton and Eileen Ramsay for their coaching efforts over the last 31 years after founding Discovery Swimming Club (a specialist swimming club for swimmers with disabilities) in 1993.

December’s awards evenings did not disappoint either.

At the Scottish Sports Awards on 4th December, Claire Morrison received a well-deserved standing ovation when she took home Coach of the Year. Also in December, Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball coach, Mark Stevenson, was awarded Talent Development Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards for his dedication to nurturing athletes through the pathway at Scottish and UK level.

Well done to all of the award winners to date.

01/11/2024

Opportunity: Modern Apprentice with Judo Scotland

Judo Scotland has an exciting opportunity for a Modern Apprentice to join their team! This is part of their Supporting Disabled People into Employment in Sport programme, supported by Enable Scotland (Leading the Way).

Application pack is available here.

If you want to discuss this further, please contact Freda McInulty, Judo Scotland Business Support Manager, at FredaMcinulty@judoscotland.com.

29/10/2024

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.