LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND Annual Report 2005 - 2006 Scottish Disability Sport would like to acknowledge with sincere thanks the generous financial support received from the following Councils to assist with hosting the AGM and producing this Annual Report: The Highland Council Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd SER V I N G The Highland Community CHAIRMAN’S FAREWELL MESSAGE 2006 I had the privilege of being introduced to SDS or the support I have received over many years from SSAD as it was then, back in 1975. My first post was Executive and Board members plus the exceptional assistant to the Hon. Secretary and during those staff team past and present. It has been a privilege early years I was greatly influenced by Ian Baillie, Jean to work with so many sportscotland officers whose Stone, the late Mary Urquhart and then of course the guidance at key times in our evolution has been exceptional Bob Mitchell. What a list of mentors. All critical. highly skilled and greatly respected and how proud they must be of the enormous progress made by SDS In this Annual Report we quite correctly celebrate over the years. success, achievement and continuing development. At the same time I urge the new Board to continue SDS has certainly had outstanding voluntary officers to address concerning issues such as dwindling but athlete members have been exceptional. In numbers in specific sports, lack of juniors, shortage performance terms they have achieved so much for of skilled volunteers and the urgency to establish our great little country. Individuals such as Willie robust systems for Talent ID. Standards continue MacLeod, Peter Stanton, Jim Muirhead and John to improve beyond all expectations and a world or Clark made a huge impression on me during my early Paralympic medal becomes even more difficult to years. From 1984 onwards it has been Kenny Cairns, capture as nations put more time and resources into Maggi McEleny, Paul Noble, Isobel Newstead, Tracey disability sport each year. The continuing exclusion Wiscombe, Jim Anderson, Colin Keay, Mary Ann Low, of athletes with a learning disability from IPC events Gordon Robertson, Andrew Lindsay, Jim Buchanan, is particularly concerning. SDS like many other UK Sandy Gregory, Michael McCreadie, Caroline agencies will do all it can to ensure these athletes Baird and Anne Woffinden who have consistently are offered every chance to return to Paralympic performed on the world stage. As ambassadors they competition by 2012. have inspired so many others and helped raise the profile of disability sport throughout Scotland. As it indicates on the cover of this Annual Report, SDS is leading the development of sport and physical SDS key partners and stakeholders have provided recreation for people with disabilities throughout the resources that have helped the association Scotland. In addition to developing the sports develop and grow. sportscotland, Scottish Local SDS has taken great strides forward in terms of Authorities and Governing Bodies of Sport, have governance, financial management, protecting our consistently provided finance, facilities and personnel members, marketing and promotion, education and that have enabled SDS to move from a charitable training and equity. It has been a privilege to serve organisation concerned with welfare to a governing on the EC / Board for over 30 years and particularly body specialising in sport. More recently sponsors, these last eight years as chairman. I sincerely hope voluntary organisations and the Institutes of Sport athlete members in particular consider I have made have provided specialist expertise and funding that a small contribution to the development of this great have enabled SDS to extend the range and quality of organisation. its services to members. During my time as chairman I have presided over the period when the association moved from a governing body led by volunteers to one with a strong staff Richard Brickley MBE team and volunteers working together. I acknowledge Chairman ANNUAL REPORT 2005-2006 Page 1 CEO’S MESSAGE 2006 The past year has once again brought successes, hard to imagine an association without him at the helm. challenges, concerns and opportunities. We have I would like to personally thank Richard for his support launched a new six year strategic plan, ‘Towards London and friendship over the last eight years. His advice and and Beyond: 2006-2012’. We have continued Scotland’s guidance has always been there when required. proud history of success at Paralympic Games and international events. We have created new working I would also like to thank the wider SDS family in terms partnerships and have strengthened existing ones. We of branch personnel, sports co-ordinators, coaches, have attracted new resources and increased investment athletes, carers, parents and many others who contribute in the association. We have strengthened the SDS family to the work of the association. Without this massive through the appointment of new staff and volunteers. contribution from volunteers the length and breadth of There has been much to be celebrated but at the the country, we simply could not operate and I extend same time there are still many areas of work where you all a warm vote of thanks. I also thank the SDS staff substantial development needs to take place before the who have once again contributed significantly to the future success of the association can be assured. development of the association over the last 12 months. Our new Performance Development Officer, Graham Cormack has swelled the ranks of the SDS staff team this year and I would like to thank them all for their hard work and support during 2005/2006. Effective working partnerships with a wide variety of agencies and organisations will be the key to the success of the new Strategic Plan. I would like to recognise the immense contribution that Scotland’s National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities make to developing sport and physical activity for people with disabilities. I also acknowledge the immense support that we receive form the staff of sportscotland who continue to commit time and resources to our Once again, Scottish athletes have achieved on the association. Thanks must also be directed towards Paralympic stage. Frank Duffy’s World Championship our funding partners particularly, Capability Scotland, rink represented Team GB at the inaugural wheelchair the Sportsman’s Charity, Lloyds TSB Foundation for curling event at the Torino Winter Paralympic Games Scotland, Nationwide, McDonalds and Sportsmatch who and returned home with the silver medal. Our hearty play such an important role in supporting our athletes, congratulations go to Frank and fellow team members teams and development programmes. Michael McCreadie, Tom Killin, Angie Malone, Ken Dickson and the Team GB coaches and support staff Our new strategic plan has paved the way for the on a quite remarkable achievement. When you consider development of the association up to and beyond the that SDS athletes and teams have also been active on London Paralympic Games of 2012. If the outcomes the international stage in the sports of archery, athletics, and targets of this plan are to be achieved, there are bowls, cycling, football, swimming and wheelchair curling a number of issues which need to be addressed. We you get an idea how busy the past year has been for need to attract more young people with disabilities the association. Our athletes continue to be the front to sport and physical activity; support is required for line of the association and we are fortunate to have our potential 2012 Paralympians; a robust development such positive role models representing Scotland on the pathway needs to be established across our key sports; international stage. we must increase and improve our coaching and support network; support is required for local branches I take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues to develop sporting pathways. The London games will on the SDS Management Board for their continued be a once in a lifetime opportunity for disability sport in commitment to the work of the association. Countless Great Britain, we must rise to the challenge. hours are spent behind the scenes by this group of dedicated individuals shaping the future of the association. This will be a particularly poignant AGM for SDS as our current Chairman, Richard Brickley MBE will be standing down after eight years in post. Richard’s contribution to disability sport in Scotland over a 30 Gavin Macleod year period has been immeasurable and at present it is Chief Executive Officer Page 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2005-2006 REVIEW OF THE YEAR We welcome our friends old and new to the 43rd and Allan Stuart also enjoyed success in the last year. Annual General Meeting of Scottish Disability Sport Allan won a gold medal in the 400m and a silver medal (SDS). 2005/2006 has been another year of challenges in the 200m at the INAS World Athletics Championships and achievements for SDS. The year ahead signals some in Canberra, Australia, with Laura winning silver medals significant changes for the association with the election of in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays at the same event. a new management board to lead the first two years of a Laura also returned home with a bronze medal from the new strategic plan. inaugural IPC World Indoor Athletics Championships in Bollnas, Sweden and two silver medals from the INAS The new strategic plan ‘Towards London and Beyond: 2006 European Indoor Athletics Championships in Italy. Six – 2012’ was launched in April and has been well received Scottish athletes were also included within the Great by our members and partner organisations. The plan Britain team at the IPC World Athletics Championships in focuses on the four key areas of Developing the Sports, the Netherlands during September.