Scottish Disability Sport

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the governing and co-ordinating body of all sports for all people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability in Scotland, with the vision of leading the development of sport and physical recreation. SDS recently launched its new national strategy which will lead the work of the association through to London 2012.

SDS has 16 branches that cover the whole of Scotland ranging from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders offering grassroots opportunities for participation.
SDS also works closely with Scotland’s National Governing Bodies of Sport to develop sport specific structures and opportunities for athletes with a disability.

SDS is committed to widening physical activity opportunities for individuals with a disability, particularly juniors. SDS also has a role to play in creating sport specific pathways for individual sports people with a disability. Participation at Paralympic level is the goal of many Scottish sports people with a disability and SDS is there to offer support and advice when appropriate.

SDS has worked in partnership with the Sportsman’s Charity since 2004 to help achieve the Association’s aims in the areas of local development and sports development. In that two year period, support from the Sportsman’s Charity has enabled SDS to achieve the following:

• 6 new wheelchair curling clubs established and a coach education workshop developed
• Shinty coaching and equipment supplied to schools across Scotland plus taster sessions, coach education courses and residential camps.
• Support provided for 3 wheelchair basketball clubs and for a Scottish junior team to attend a national competition
• 4 boccia clubs established and a talent identification process initiated for our national squad
• Sportshall athletics sessions supported in 8 areas of Scotland and a talent identification day co-ordinated for the national junior squad
• A badminton coach education & taster weekend co-ordinated and 2 clubs established
• A goalball coaching course run in conjunction with a national taster day
• 3 archery workshops delivered
• Local disability sport posts supported in Dumfries & Galloway, Forth Valley, Lothian, Perth & Kinross and South Lanarkshire

Anyone wishing to find out more about sport for people with a disability in Scotland should contact the SDS office on 0131 3171130.

Web Site: http://www.scottishdisabilitysport.com