Lothian Disability Sport News

May 2017

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS KARATE TASTER SESSION AND CLUB  

Lothian Disability Sport and Active Schools would like to let you know about an exciting opportunity coming to children and young people in Edinburgh. In partnership with Scottish Karate Federation, Dalry Karate Group and Lothian Disability Sport we are developing an Additional Support Needs Karate Club.

The first phase of this will be the delivery of karate taster sessions for primary and secondary pupils. These sessions are open to all disability groups.

Venue: (EN)gage Sports Centre, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, EH11 4BN. This is an accessible venue.

Date and Time: Taster session, Saturday 3rd June 11am – 1pm.  

Primary             11.00-12.00am

Secondary        12.00-1.00pm

Club sessions will happen every Saturday thereafter 11.15am – 12.15pm at (EN)gage Sports Centre.

The sessions will be delivered by qualified karate coaches who have training and experience of working with children with additional support needs. The maximum participant numbers per session will be 15 children.

The sessions are all about having fun and giving participants the chance to try out Karate, no prior experience is necessary.  

We would welcome parents to stay and watch sessions and meet karate coaches.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

If your child is interested in attending the free taster session please phone me to book a place and I will forward an application form via email or take your details over the phone. Please note there are limited spaces therefore places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Jill Coleman 07920768288, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Andrew Raeburn; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing date for applications is 4pm Thursday 1^st June.

Kind Regards

Jill Coleman,

Active Schools Coordinator, Equality and Inclusion

Andrew Raeburn

Branch Disability Sport Coordinator, Lothian Disability Sport

East of Scotland Para Sport Festival 2017

The annual Para Sport Festival is on the horizon for 2017, welcoming young people from across the East of Scotland with a physical or sensory impairment and providing them with an opportunity to try a range of Para Sports, delivered by some of the best clubs and coaches across the country.  This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday 24^th March at Forrester / St Augustine’s High School, Edinburgh.

The event, previously named the Paralympic Experience Event, is entering its sixth year since inception prior to the London Paralympic Games in 2012 and comes at a time where Para Sport is fresh in everyone’s mind after a hugely successful games for GB in Rio de Janeiro last year.  It is a fantastic opportunity for primary and secondary aged young people to experience some of the sports where team GB achieved significant success.  The activities selected reflect the strong club structure in the region and will aim to ignite the transition from the event to more regular sporting activity with one or more of the session’s being delivered.

The festival is a partnership event between Scottish Disability Sport, Edinburgh Active Schools, Lothian Disability Sport and Edinburgh Leisure who work together, along with local club coaches, to offer sessions in swimming, athletics, wheelchair basketball and many more to the children and young people from East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and West Lothian.  To find out more, click here and download the entry information pack.

During last year’s event, video footage was captured highlighting the aims and potential impact of the event featuring testimonies from young people, parents, club coaches and professional officers.  We hope this footage will prove a useful tool in providing an accurate insight to the event – please find the link to the video clip below:

Para Sport Festival promotional footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzP4sztaDY&t=1s

The event will also offer an opportunity for education staff, club coaches and volunteers to enhance their knowledge of disability sport with the delivery of CPD workshop, ‘How to Identify and Include Children and Young People with a Disability in Sport’.   This workshop has proved extremely popular over previous events and will again be delivered by the experienced Richard Brickley, MBE.  To find out more about this opportunity, please click here.

If you would like to register for the event, please complete the entry information and return to the address highlighted.  If you require further information relating to the event, please contact Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

East of Scotland Para Bowls Development Day

Scottish Disability Sport are working in partnership with East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club and Lothian Disability Sport to plan and deliver an exciting new opportunity for players with a physical, sensory or learning impairment.  The development day will provide an insight to the sport of bowls for new players while also providing coaching and participation information for existing bowlers.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for para bowls in Scotland and are excited to be working alongside local partners to identify players in the east region of Scotland with the aim of establishing a regular para bowls session at East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club.  The details of the session can be found below and also by clicking here.

Event:   East of Scotland Para Bowls Development Day

Date:     Sunday 12^th February 2017

Time:    12 noon – 2.00pm

Venue: East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club, East Lothian, EH33 1LZ

To express an interest or for further information, please get in touch on 0131 625 4414 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LDS PARA BOWLER GARY AIMS FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES 

Bellsburn bowler and LDS Committee member Gary Clelland has been called up for a Commonwealth Games squad. He has been selected by Scottish Disability Sport - the governing body for para bowls in Scotland - as a member of the Extended Pool of Players preparing for the 2018 Games down under.

Read the full article at; http://www.linlithgowgazette.co.uk/sport/more-sport/para-bowler-gary-aims-for-commonwealth-team-1-4332285

Everybody at LDS would like to wish Gary the very best in his preparations and bid to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

If you think you would like to get involved with para-bowls please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or come along to the upcoming SDS Para Bowls East of Scotland Development day - 12th Feb 2017. Click Here for more information.

 2016 National Junior Swimming Championships (Learning Disabilities)

Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow

There was great representation from the Lothian Team at the National Junior Swimming Championships at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre on Wednesday 23^rd November. 22 young people from 10 schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians participated with fantastic performances from all. A total of 20 medals (7 Gold, 7 Silver and 6 bronze) were won by the Lothian team, an encouraging performance following the successful regional trials earlier this year. The young swimmers were fortunate enough to have their medals presented to them by none other than Jim Anderson OBE, Scotland’s six times Paralympic Champion.

There were stand-out performances from George Forbes (Cedarbank) who won gold medals in both the boys 50m Freestyle Back Class 2 (40.72) and the 50m Freestyle Front Class 1 (33.63), the latter a big winning margin of over four seconds from team mate Chad Stewart (silver; 37.81) of Saltersgate school.

There was another double gold medal haul for swimmer Keira McLeod of Woodlands School. Keira won gold medals in both the girls 50m Freestyle Back Class 3 (51.38) and the 50m Adapted Breast stroke (58.02). These performances were backed up by a further 15 medals across the Lothian Team, a remarkable achievement. Three Lothian athletes were also involved in record breaking races, as Christian Buchanan (Spark of Genius; 34.43) came 4^th in the boys class 1 50m butterfly behind Tayside’s Jack Milne, in a new national record of 29.89s. Similarly in the girls 50m Freestyle Back Class 1, Sarah Bleakley (Ross HS) and Shannon Crosbie (Braidburn) finished 3^rd and 4^th respectively behind Highland’s Tammy Neef who blazed to gold in a new national record 35.07s.

Performances were excellent right across the board and we hope to see another strong Lothian Team at the event next year. For the full list of results from the championships click here.

Lothian Disability Sport would like to thank all the coaches, volunteers and parents who came along to help and support the Lothian team. Furthermore we wish to once again congratulate all the athletes who competed and who put in the hard work and commitment to allow them to qualify for such a great event. Following the success of the GB swimmers in Rio 2016 we hope this event will serve as an excellent stepping stone to the next generation of young swimmers.

For more information on swimming clubs and events in Edinburgh and the Lothians, contact Andrew Raeburn on 0131 475 2364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Coach & Volunteer Opportunity - Lothian Powerchair Football session

Position: Coaches and Volunteers

Start: Friday 4^th November 2016

Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm

Venue: The Royal High School, East Barnton Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 6JP

Lothian Disability Sport (LDS) are working alongside the Scottish FA, Edinburgh Active Schools and the Scottish Powerchair Football Association (SPFA) to launch a football session specifically designed for powerchair users across the Lothian region.

We are currently looking for coaches and volunteers to support with facilitating each training session on a weekly basis.  Powerchair football is an adaptation of football and no previous coaching experience is required; only an enthusiastic approach and willingness to learn.  There will also be opportunities to gain further qualifications through LDS as part of the individual’s continued professional development.

Skills required –

-          Enthusiastic

-          Motivated

Paralympic athletes Scott Quin, Maria Lyle and Stephen Clegg have been recognised for their considerable efforts and achievements over the last 12 months, with all three athletes receiving accolades from their respective awards ceremonies over the previous could of weeks.  This recognition was supplemented by youngster Jenny Gray of Lothian Disability Badminton Club who shared the Sports Person with a Disability with swimmer Clegg.

Warrender Baths swimmer and product of local swim club Lothian Racers, Scott Quin was deservedly awarded with the Midlothian Senior Sports Person of the Year after a memorable 12 months which saw him win gold at the European Championships in Funchal and narrowly miss out on Paralympic Gold in Rio, collecting silver behind winner and GB team mate Arran Moores in the SB14 100m Breaststroke.  Quin highlighted, “it has been an unforgettable year for me and to win the award after Rio is a special feeling”. 

Watch the ‘Flying Scotsman’ claim gold at the European Championships earlier this year by following the link below -

https://www.paralympic.org/video/mens-100m-breaststroke-sb14-final-2016-ipc-swimming-european-open-championships-funchal

East Lothian also recognised their athletes at the Celebrating Sport Awards on Friday 14^th October at the Bruton Theatre in Musselburgh, with the region’s Para athletes firmly at the forefront of this recognition.  Dunbar sprinter Maria Lyle was awarded for her memorable summer in Rio as she claimed two individual bronze medals and team silver in the 4 x 100m T35 – T38 relay.  The 16 year old athlete, who has cerebral palsy, claimed silver in the 100m and 200m T35 races after being defeated by Australia’s Isis Holt and China’s Xia Zhou and was deservedly named East Lothian’s Sports Person of the Year.  Watch Maria Lyle run in the second leg of the relay silver medal during the Paralympic Games in Brazil earlier this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M73WYKmSZAg

East Lothian Swim Team’s Stephen Clegg was recognised for his fantastic 5^th place finish and personal best time in the S13 400m Backstroke in Brazil and topped off a significant 12 months for the Edinburgh based swimmer, who continues to develop into a world class swimmer under the guidance of head coach Bruce Halloran.  The former Royal Blind School student was awarded the Sports Person with a Disability award alongside North Berwick Badminton player, Jenny Gray.  Lothian Disability Badminton Club member Gray, has also experienced significant success over the last year, dominating the 4 Nations Para-Badminton events in Ladies singles, Ladies doubles and Mixed doubles while also being selected for the Special Olympic National Games in Sheffield next year.

This success demonstrates the significant talent in the region from grassroots participation right through the pathway to Paralympic success and will undoubtedly act as genuine inspiration for all upcoming athletes across the East of Scotland.

Use a walker style frame? Exciting football opportunity for young people.

 Frame football is an excellent opportunity for individuals who use walking / gait training equipment such as a Frame or Walker to try and play football and this opportunity will be open to young people aged between 3 and 16 years old.  Please see the details below surrounding an exciting new opportunity in West Lothian.

Day:      Friday (beginning on 4^th November)

Time:    5pm – 6pm

Venue:  Linlithgow Academy, Linlithgow, EH49 6EH

Cost:     Free

If you are interested to find out more about this opportunity or to book a place at the session, please contact Kevin Ferguson on 0776 788 6710 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please click here

Play is for Everyone!

Come along and try our new weekly softplay sessions for children with additional support needs at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Play is an essential part of growing up for all children. Regular play supports children to lead a healthy active life, encouraging their learning, developing their confidence and creating opportunities for them to develop friendships.

At Edinburgh Leisure we believe that play is for everyone. We recognise that some children and families need more support than others to get active and stay active. For some children with additional support needs a busy softplay session might feel overwhelming. Within our Clambers softplay at the Royal Commonwealth Pool we’ve created a specific session for children with additional support needs.

These sessions have been specifically designed to provide an inclusive service for children with additional support needs. We feel the sessions will be appropriate for families of children with additional support needs, e.g. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Sight and Hearing Impairments, Global Developmental Delay, and Genetic Disorders.

What do you need to know?

• The sessions will take place every Wednesday morning from 9am-10am at our Clambers softplay, Royal Commonwealth Pool.
• Clambers offers opportunities for all children to have an amazing adventure with carefully designed baby, toddler and junior zones.
• There’s a comfortable cafe with uninterrupted views serving quality coffee with tasty (and healthy) treats for both parents and kids.
• Siblings without additional support needs are very welcome to attend the sessions too. We want the whole family to be able to play and get active together.
• Sessions are priced at £1.10 for children aged 0-11months, £4.20 for children aged 12month-3years, £5.20 for children aged 4years and up.

No Limits are hosting their annual boccia competition on Saturday 12th November.  If you are interested in entering this competition, please read on -

Wednesday 28^th September 2016, Meadowmill Sports Centre, East Lothian

The official Lothian Disability Sport Schools Calendar of Events kicked off for 2016 / 2017 with the annual Badminton Participatory Festival, welcoming 48 young people from across the region.  The event provided an opportunity for individuals to develop their badminton skills through a series of skill stations, each focusing on specific areas of the sport.  The afternoon session of the event saw all participating school pupils play half court friendly matches against their peers from their own school and others from neighbouring schools, promoting the social interaction aspect of the event as well as the physical activity focus.  With nine schools entering in total, there were young people with physical sensory and learning impairments in attendance from both primary and secondary

The festival introduced many of the participants to the sport for the first time but also adapted activities to challenge players who had accessed the event previously, proving a smash hit with many of the young people and staff alike, with one teacher commenting “it was the best event yet.  I had some reluctant pupils who all blossomed and enjoyed the day”.  It’s a great introduction to the sport and allows the school pupils an opportunity to experience this in a fun and friendly environment.

As in previous years, the event was organised and delivered collaboratively by Lothian Disability Sport, East Lothian’s Badminton development officer Christine Black and Lothian Disability Badminton Club who provided players to support with delivery on the day.  The day also benefits significant from students from Edinburgh College who support and work closely with the young people throughout.

If you would like to find out more about badminton opportunities in the Lothian region, please get in touch with Neal Herbert on 0131 475 2374 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lothian Disability Sport Autumn Swim Gala 2016

Mercat Gait Swimming Pool, Prestonpans, East Lothian.

The annual Lothian Disability Sport Autumn swim gala attracted 88 swimmers to East Lothian on Saturday 24^th September, with clubs, teams and individuals travelling from all over the region and further afield aiming to record PBs or experience their first competitive meet.

This year’s gala introduced a new format following previous feedback from clubs and coaches, with all 25m races being held in the morning session of the event, providing a relaxed environment for new swimmers to experience the sport while being supported and encouraged throughout.  This introduction is crucial for new swimmers and provides an excellent first experience and hopefully encourages further engagement going forward.  The afternoon session then allowed more experienced swimmers an opportunity to log personal bests and race against their peers in 50m, 75m and 100m distances.

The healthy entry is a reflection of the undoubted hard work that local clubs are putting in on a weekly basis and credit must go to all coaches who are providing the swimmers with a platform to develop and improve in the pool.  Local entrants included Lothian Racers, Loanhead Swim Team, Lothian Waves, Livingston & District Dolphins, Musselburgh Flyers and Mercat Greats but also welcomed swim clubs from other regions across the country including Arion (Stirling) and Borders Barracudas (Scottish Borders).  Individual swimmers, Christian Buchanan (East Lothian Swim Team), Mairin Savage (Stirling Swim) and Jill Hendry (Stirling Swimming) were also present to represent their respective clubs and regions.  In addition to the new format, the gala also re-introduced 4x25m relay races and these team events proved a welcome end to the day with 11 teams entered and generating the loudest cheers of the day.  This addition provides experience for swimmers, particularly individuals who will be competing at the Special Olympic National Games in Sheffield next year and may not have many opportunities other than these local events.

The LDS autumn swim gala historically awards the Mark Headden Memorial Trophy to the most improved swimmer for the year and takes into account a number of factors including level of commitment, obstacles overcome and competition success.  Jamie O’Boyle of Lothian Racers was the deserving recipient of this year’s award having significantly improved his swimming over the last 12 months, showing true dedication and determination to overcome challenges and master the technicalities for all swimming strokes and continually giving 100% in the process.

Again, thanks must be extended to all officials, volunteers and time keepers who allow the gala run seamlessly from start to finish.

Please find a link to the full results here.

Lothian Disability Sport Branch Coordinator Post

Wheelchair Skills Workshop – Monday 17^th October

Go Kids Go are running free wheelchair skills workshops in Scotland and will be delivering at Leith Academy, Edinburgh on Monday 17^th October (10am – 3pm).  The sessions are open to young people from the age of 2 -18 years.

The aims of the sessions are to help young wheelchair users become more independent in their chair. Throughout the day they will get the chance to learn new skills, play games/sports and meet other young wheelchair users. The workshops are also a great opportunity for parents/carers and siblings to join in too!

Venue: Leith Academy, 20 Academy Park, Edinburgh, EH6 8JQ

Date:     Monday 17^th October 2016

Time:     10am – 3pm (packed lunches are required)

If you would like to attend as a professional or know of any families that would like to come along, then please do not hesitate to contact me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01482 887 163.

Click here to download the flyer.

Three young Lothian athletes represented the region at the recent 2016 School Games, which were held in Loughborough University Campus from Thursday 1^st September to Sunday 4^th September.  Ruairi Logan (Wheelchair Tennis), Josh Manson (Wheelchair Basketball) and Chrsitian Buchanan (Swimming) experienced varying levels of success south of the border, however all three will be more experienced in their sports as a result of their participation at the multi sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age.

The event seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting that not only provides our elite young sports people with the opportunity to thrive and perform at the highest levels, but encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport. The event consists of some 12 sports and around 1,600 young athletes.

Christian Buchanan (East Lothian Swim Team) picked up a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke (1:29.53) and was within one second of his personal best in the 200m Individual Medley (2:52.67), missing out on the top three.  The Scotland Wheelchair Basketball Team found it tough going, losing both pool matches (46-52 v England South and 35-73 v England North).  However the young Scots, including current Lothian Disability Sport Young Person of the Year Josh Manson, redeemed themselves somewhat in the 5/6 playoff match, defeating Northern Ireland convincingly 49-27.  Wheelchair Tennis player Ruairi Logan secured some gold medal success, progressing through to singles final stage, dropping only two games along the way.  Ruairi carried this excellent form into the Final, winning against Josh Cooper 4-1, 3-0 before the young opponent was forced to retire.  The young player from Edinburgh and the 2015 LDS Young Sports Person of the Year, complimented his singles gold medal with a silver in the doubles, losing out with partner Leo McLeod to duo Ben Johnson-Rolfe and Clayton white.

The School Games provides an opportunity for athletes to experience the unique multi sport atmosphere with 11 of the 12 sports being facilitated at the University campus and reinforces the Olympic and Paralympic values, comlete with opening and closing ceremonies.  With the Paralympics in Rio taking centre stage, many of the young athletes who were involved at the School Games will have aspirations towards Tokyo in four years time.

East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club have appointed a new Club Development Co-ordinator who they believe will lead the way in developing the sport in the local community.

Today (Wednesday 7^th September) the club have announced Scotland Internationalist and previous World Championship Silver Medallist Billy Mellors as the club’s new Club Development Co-Ordinator.

The position, which is funded by Direct Club investment from sportscotland and funding from Lothian Disability Sport comes as a bid to strengthen and develop bowls in East Lothian. East Lothian Council have also pledged their support of the project along with East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club and East Lothian Bowling Association.

Founded in 1986 and now in its 30^th year East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club boasts a history of success whilst also being home to Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Alex Marshall MBE and bowling legend Willie Wood MBE.

The Club Development Co-ordinator position is an exciting development for the sport as the project is the first of its kind in Scotland. It comes at the perfect time as governing bodies of bowls look to work together to promote their sport as modern, successful and inclusive.

Working with key partners, including Bowls Scotland, Active Schools and Lothian Disability sport, Billy will be tasked with supporting local clubs to increase membership as well as creating an inclusive environment for players with a disability.

Commenting on his appointment Billy said:

“I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to develop bowls in East Lothian across all platforms. It will no doubt be a challenge but with the initiatives I will be putting in place I am certain the participation in bowls will grow year on year in East Lothian.”

Scott Kennedy of East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club said:

“This is a fantastic initiative, the first of its kind in bowls in Scotland.  Great credit must go to Sport Scotland, Bowls Scotland, Disability Sport and East Lothian Council for backing this role.  I’m sure the sport of bowls in East Lothian and the number of people participating will develop across all platforms over the coming years with the initiatives that Billy has planned.  It certainly is an exciting time for bowls in what is already one the country’s most successful counties when it comes to producing bowling talent.”

Lawn Bowls clubs will also benefit from the post as the Club Development Co-ordinator will also support East Lothian Bowling Association and the outdoor clubs in the local authority in increasing their membership and developing their club.

The Scottish Championship for Archers with Disabilities was held in Pollock Park in Glasgow on 29^th August, a contingent from Lothian Disability Sport went supported by families and coaches Nick Murrell and Richard Vallis. Our archers, who train at Archers’ Hall, courtesy of the Royal Company of Archers, and Meadowmill Sports Centre, East Lothian shot in three categories, Adult Standing, Adult Novice seated, and Visually Impaired.

We arrived late morning and after registration had lunch and set up equipment then found positions on the shooting line with about forty other archers.  After a short briefing from the judges, the shooting started. The weather was almost ideal for shooting; it stayed dry with just a very light breeze.

All the LDS archers shot well and brought medals home. As is usual in archery competitions the social aspect was as important as the shooting with possible new friendships being established.

Richard Vallis - Lothian Disability Sport Archery Coordinator

If you are lookin for opportunities in archery, please get in touch on 0131 475 2364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Team East Lothian Athletics Club and Lothian Disability Sport are working in partnership to establish a Run, Jump and Throw Athletics session for young people with a physical, learning or sensory impairment.  Click here to find out more.

The session will be open to young people aged between 8 and 18 years old and will take place at Sanderson Wynd Primary School.  The session details are highlighted below –

Where: Sanderson Wynd Primary School, Tranent, East Lothian, EH33 1DA

When:  Friday, 1.00pm – 2.00pm (beginning Friday 2^nd September)

Who:    Young people aged between 8 -18 years with a physical, learning or sensory impairment

Cost:    £10 for a block of 5 weeks

Booking can be completed by following the link below –

http://www.activeeastlothian.co.uk/events/asn-athletics-1746

If you would like to know more about this session, please get in touch on 0131 475 2364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..