Active Schools Virtual Awards: National Governing Body of the Year

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS)

SDS works closely with Active Schools and in partnership to develop and increase opportunities for children with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in Edinburgh. The partnership has spanned over 10 years and in that time there has been a great range of collaborative projects and initiatives including the East Para Sports Festival, disability sport club development, sports festivals and camps. The contribution SDS make to the Active Schools wider programme is invaluable, supporting us to create more inclusive opportunities for children who may not previously have been given the opportunity to participate in sport or considered sport as an option. Children with disabilities can be a hidden and hard to reach population, however with the specialist knowledge, experience and skills provided, SDS ensures we are working towards more equitable opportunities both within our schools and our programmes.

Scottish Volleyball Association (SVA)

SVA have strong management with a clear vision and have invested in having Regional Development Officers to achieve this. They have an experienced staffed office so are always available to help or find solutions. Lynne Beattie is always there with a smile and the children adore her! She regularly attends Active Schools events, health weeks, taster sessions, camps, sports award presentations in schools and delivers as a key note speaker under beach and indoor disciplines. Another area of valuable support and leadership is within our School Sport Competition structure where the SVA ran every round of the competition to date. SVA deliver School Festivals for P5 – S6 pupils. They book and pay for facilities, manage entries, provide information and run the competition on the day along with fun challenges for the participants.

Basketball Scotland

Basketball Scotland selected Edinburgh schools to introduce a new initiative, Junior NBA, in 2017. This initiative has led to more pupils playing basketball and more volunteers involved in coaching and officiating. Several clubs and high schools have hosted the league games with senior pupils officiating the matches. Pupils have more awareness of global basketball and this has fostered their interest in continuing to play in community basketball. Edinburgh schools are in the 3rd year of this programme. This year nationally Basketball Scotland included wheelchair basketball which is a global first. The Junior NBA initiative has increased popularity in basketball across the country and it is inclusive. Kieran Lynch, East Development Officer has supported the league for the last 3 years in Edinburgh. He has also supported the Active Schools Developing Young Workforce programme with the delivery of courses and other delivery in high schools to support senior pupils’ engagement in primaries and in their high school.