It’s time to shake off winter and get active. Whether you’re a fan of fitba and want to get into a team sport, or prefer some solo exercise time, there’s plenty happening across Scotland for you to take part in.
ARCHERY
Disability sport is certainly not boring. Indulge your inner Robin Hood by grabbing a bow and arrow and hitting the archery range. Archery is a very inclusive sport and clubs across Scotland cater to all disabilities. Disabled archers and non-disabled archers play side by side, and there are events and championships to get involved in.
See scottisharchery.org.uk for more details and to find a club near you.
BOWLS
Bowls is one of the most accessible and social sports, and you’re never far from a bowling green in Scotland. If you want to make friends, then bowls could be the sport for you as gathering round the club house at the end of the match is an essential part of the game. All bowling clubs are fully inclusive, so whatever your needs are, they are equipped to match it.
Contact your local club for details of open days and how to join at bowlsscotland.com.
BADMINTON
Para-badminton is the latest sport to make it into the Paralympic family and it will be making its debut at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, so there’s just under two years to get into the swing of things. Whether you’re a wheelchair user or have partial mobility, para-badminton is a fun game and the whoosh of the shuttlecock is extremely satisfying. There are plenty of clubs across Scotland, and if you become a member of Badminton Scotland, you’re entitled to enter competitions and get free tickets to events.
Visit badmintonscotland.org.uk for more details.
CURLING
The sport that Scotland is best at is also one of the most accessible sports out there – and don’t worry, it’s not just played in winter. There are 22 curling rinks in Scotland and all of them have wheelchair access. You can use a regular wheelchair on the ice, although a team member may have to hold it steady while you throw your stones. Teams are usually made up of four people and both male and female players are required for big competitions, and fun leagues are open to beginners.
If you’re interested in a taster session, visit trycurling.com.
SAILING
If you’re keen to sail the seven seas, or just want topotter about on a boat, then check out Sailability Scotland, which lists the sailing clubs in Scotland offering sailing for people with disabilities. There are five clubs across the country that you can join, and monthly events to go to. Scotland’s Sailability centre of excellence at Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch is committed to helping the sailing community become more inclusive.
Visit sailabilityscotland.org for more details.
YOGA
If you’re looking for an activity that connects your mind with your body, then give yoga a go. Yoga is open to any ability, and all stretches and poses are modified to your own ability – you don’t need to be a yogi in neon yoga pants to take part. If you’re feeling stressed, yoga relaxes you and teaches you mindfulness. Yoga classes are currently on trend, and can sometimes be expensive and in high demand, but there are specialist classes for people with disabilities. Yogability is run by a team of yoga teachers who give free lessons to people with disabilities and their carers, and it runs classes across Scotland.
Check out yogability.org.uk for more details.
FOOTBALL
If you’re raring to get back onto the pitch, then there are plenty of options for you. As you can imagine, there are lots of teams and friendly matches across Scotland. There’s football friendlies for every disability, or mixed abilities, and even Powerchair Football which is a fast growing and fun sport.
Check out parasport.org.uk to find the closest one to you. If you wanted, you could play football every night of the week.
RUGBY
If you want to see what sports are out there, visit disabilitysportfinder.org.uk.
Always check with your GP before undertaking a new fitness regime. Your doctor will have lots of helpful information.