Award reflects efforts to make sport more inclusive

Paralympics GB and Parasport this week awarded the group, founded by Springield’s Jim Gales MBE, the National Club of the Month prize for June.

The SDGC has grown from the green shoots of two of Scotland’s iconic sports to a globally-recognised model of disability participation.

“We’re extremely proud of what this has become,” said Mr Gales MBE, also honorary secretary of the group.

“We could never have predicted we’d go from about 30 people playing a social game of golf to the numbers we now have involved from all over the world.

“We have over a thousand members in20 countries and organise over sixty games and competitions each year.”

Formed in 2004, Scottish Disability Golf was the first organisation in the world to incorporate anyone of any age with a disability that interferes with the playing or learning about the sport.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented SDGC from organising events, but the SDGC committee has organised a ‘virtual order of merit’ to scratch the competitive itch and raise a sum of money for another related charity.

They have also hold regular radio chats, involving members sharing news, updates and memories, that helps combat isolation among their participants.

This initiative, and their outstanding track record, have seen them receive this club of the month award.

It’s an award Mr Gales hopes will help spread the word of their work even further.

“It’s really important we keep in touch with our members because we work with all ages and disabilities,” he added.

“We need to keep in touch with some of our older members who are being shielded and younger members who are bored without school.

“Our website and our social media outlets give us a great platform to be able to do that.

“It’s great to receive this award, and very unexpected. Hopefully this will give us a chance to get the club out there even more and who knows, maybe attract some new members?”

Paul Cox, head of communications at the British Paralympic Association, explained why Scottish Disability Golf & Curling (SDGC) had been chosen for the award.

“Parasport is all about empowering disabled people and increasing the range and awareness of the opportunities available for disabled people throughout the UK to become more active,” he said, “Scottish Disability Golf & Curling are a great example of this spirit - Offering a year-round programme of inclusive activities.”