Disability Sport Fife

Disability Sport Fife Fife lead body in Disability Sport since 1977 Since 1977 DSF (SCIO) has supported 25 members to reach their goals as GB Paralympians.

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) - About Us

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) has been leading the development of inclusive sport and active recreation for children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disabilities across Fife since we were set up in 1977. In 2017 DSF (SCIO) celebrated 40 years as the lead body in Fife for sport and active recreation for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities. Key Impact Areas
• sustaining weekly sports sessions led by DSF coaches - engagement and participation
• recruiting and retaining members of all levels of ability - engagement and participation
• providing education, coaching, officiating, and volunteering opportunities - learning
• supporting performance Para athletes to achieve their goals through sport - performance
• using communication platforms to inform, engage and celebrate - communication
• promoting strong systems of governance – governance
• to encourage inactive disabled people and significant others to be active - active recreation
The safety, health and well being of our members is at the centre of all we do. International and national success
DSF (SCIO) athlete members have been successful in European Championships, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games all over the world. Individual members and Fife teams have enjoyed enormous success at Scottish national events across all sports. Events, Activities and Training
Each year DSF (SCIO) organises an extensive programme of sports events and provides education and training opportunities for coaches, volunteers, and peer mentors. With support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, DSF employs an experienced team of coaches on a session by session basis to deliver sports specific and active recreation sessions weekly across Fife in top quality leisure centres. Our Head Office and Governance
DSF has two part time coordinators based at Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre financially supported by Fife Council and Robertson Trust grants and supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. DSF has a Service Level Agreement with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and works in partnership with Fife Council. DSF (SCIO) has a Board of Charity Trustees plus sub committees with responsibility for Finance, Performance and Safeguarding. Hall of Fame and Annual Awards
DSF established a Hall of Fame to recognise performance athletes who have achieved significant success in international Para sport. The DSF (SCIO) Annual General Meeting and Annual Awards Evening are now a significant occasion in the Fife Sporting Year with well over 100 attendees and 40 awards presented. Key Funding Partners
DSF has many key funding partners whose support has been critical to our success. These include.
• Spirit of 2012 (GOGA in Fife)
• Scottish Disability Sport and sportscotland
• Order of St John in Fife
• Rotary in Fife and Kilrymont St Andrews Rotary Club
• Margaret Pullar (Bill Pullar Bursary) and Russell Hogg Trust
• Fife Council and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust
• Scottish FA
• Trefoil, Celtic Foundation and STV Children’s Appeal. DSF (SCIO) also has strong links with Fife schools and the Active Schools Network. Since inception DSF (SCIO) has worked closely with Health and Social Care in Fife and a significant number of individual Fife Sports Clubs. DSF (SCIO) considers the Sports Councils in East, Central and West Fife as key partners. Activity Inclusion Model (AIM)
DSF will utilise the principles of the AIM model and STEP framework to promote inclusive practice within physical education, active recreation, and sport. DSF (SCIO) recognises that four factors influence inclusive practice and shape content and delivery – ability, activity, impairment and setting.

2026 East Fife ClubSport AwardsOnce again Sunshine Kitchen members provided the excellent catering available to the 220 ...
05/04/2026

2026 East Fife ClubSport Awards

Once again Sunshine Kitchen members provided the excellent catering available to the 220 attendees who were present at the 2026 East Fife ClubSport Annual Awards held in the Corn Exchange in Cupar. A significant number of Sunshine Kitchen members accessed the Disability Sport Fife sports programme during their time as school pupils in east and central Fife.

Sunshine Kitchen members make delicious seasonal food from their own locally grown produce in a supportive work environment. The The Sunshine Kitchen provides volunteers work opportunities for young adults with lifelong neurological conditions. Sunshine Kitchen young people are involved in all aspects of seasonal food production, from growing produce in their own garden to cooking and baking with it in their kitchen.

On September 26th, 2025, Gayle Doran (nee Nelson) passed away. Gayle was a Sunshine Kitchen founding Board Member and a regular contributor to catering provision for the East Fife ClubSport Awards Evening. We miss Gayle immensely and acknowledge the role she played in establishing the Sunshine Kitchen as a key partner of the East Fife ClubSport Awards.

During her time as a lecturer at Glenrothes College, Gayle encouraged her students with additional support needs to participate in the Disability Sport Fife programme of weekly activities and regional events.

Some photos from Rick Booth of Sunshine Kitchen members plus board members at the Awards evening.

Richard

Scottish Disability Sport Central Fife ClubSport Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Active Fife Fife Active Schools Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews Cupar Sports Centre Howe of Fife Rotary Scottish ClubSport - SALSC

01/04/2026

Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder 😊

If there have been any changes to your circumstances—such as medical conditions, medical history, or any other important information—please make sure to submit an updated registration form at your earliest convenience.

This can be completed by clicking the following link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/DisabilitySportFife/AdminRegistrationForm

Keeping this information up to date helps our coaches provide the safest and best possible support for all participants.

Thank you for your cooperation!

SCOTTISH DISABILITY SPORT SENIOR NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026We are delighted to announce that entries for the S...
01/04/2026

SCOTTISH DISABILITY SPORT SENIOR NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

We are delighted to announce that entries for the SDS Senior Swimming Championship for swimmers with a learning disability, supported by the Motability Scheme and delivered in partnership with Scottish Swimming, are now open!

Further information and the link to register is below:

Date: Saturday 9 May 2026
Timings: 10am - 4:30pm
Venue: Olympia, Dundee (3 E Whale Ln, Dundee DD1 3JU)
Entry Fee: £4.00

This event is open to swimmers age 16 and over with a learning disability.

Please follow the link to enter:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/DisabilitySportFife/SDSSeniorSwimmingChampionshipLD

If you require any further information please get in touch with Disability Sport Fife

Take a look at our Easter Holiday Calendar 🐣We will be giving coaches, volunteers and participants some well deserved ti...
30/03/2026

Take a look at our Easter Holiday Calendar 🐣

We will be giving coaches, volunteers and participants some well deserved time off! We hope you all have a lovely Easter break when it comes 🤩

I was honoured to speak at the funeral of the late Math Thomson held at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Wednesday 25th March. F...
26/03/2026

I was honoured to speak at the funeral of the late Math Thomson held at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Wednesday 25th March. For almost 50 years Disability Sport Fife has been supported by committed volunteers from across Fife from many sports. Math was a true champion from bowls.
Richard

Math Thomson – a tribute to a great Disability Sport Fife supporter.

I arrived in Fife in 1975 and was introduced to bowls by the late Alex McLean, a highly respected Fife Council colleague and very enthusiastic St Clair BC member. Bowls then became an important part of the extensive sports programme offered to players of all abilities across Fife.

Almost 25 years later Math Thomson became President of Beveridge Park BC and immediately established a connection with Disability Sport Fife. The Beveridge Park BC had become the established venue for the Disability Sport Fife Lawn Bowls Championships, the East Fife Club in Aberhill annually hosted the Fife Indoor championships and the Fife Sports Institute was the perfect location for the annual Fife Carpet Bowls Championships. Disabled bowlers of all ages embraced the challenges, fun and rewards associated with this unique indoor and outdoor sport.

Math signed up volunteer officials for these three Fife annual championships and supported national events promoted by Scottish Disability and Bowls Scotland. National Para Bowls qualifiers, inter area competitions involving bowlers with learning disabilities and national events involving blind bowlers were held in Fife and Math and his Beveridge Park colleagues were always willing to play a part as volunteers. Michael Simpson, Martin Hunter, Maria Spencer, Billy Allan, David Thomson, Eleanor Clark, Pamela Mitchell and Darryl Stewart are just some of the world class bowlers who excelled nationally and internationally because of the Fife programme supported by the members of Beveridge Park BC and other local clubs.

Beveridge Park volunteers were always present at Disability Sport Fife events in numbers and prepared to roll up their sleeves from first thing in the morning until the last bowl had been delivered at the end of the day. Math was present from first thing and still playing a lead role as the sun went down. He was the master gazebo builder and dismantler who would always make sure that bowlers and their families and friends were protected from wind, rain and even excessive heat. Anne was never far away working tirelessly with Annie McKenzie and others in the kitchen to ensure that the Beveridge Park catering services were the best in the bowls business.

Over the years Math made himself available as a volunteer coach/mentor for novice disabled bowlers and learner markers who expressed an interest in officiating. Wendy Thomson from St Andrews travelled to the Beveridge Park to improve her playing skills and become more competitive in Fife and beyond. Wheelchair user Willie Harrison joined Beveridge Park BC following coaching sessions with Math and encouragement from fellow club members. Scottish International Blind bowler Eleanor Clark from Kirkcaldy valued immensely the support she received from Math at major events around Scotland. Eileen Duke and Anne Hay were two Social Work Support staff who proudly became bowls markers thanks to Math’s patience and expertise. Math even learned to use the clock face feedback system to enable him to support blind bowlers during practice and competitive play.

Working with Beveridge Park BC members Andy Mathieson and Edith Pyslli in particular, Math played a key role in the team that upgraded the Beveridge Park BC pavilion and surrounding areas. The pavilion received a complete makeover with emphasis on inclusion, access/egress and comfort for all players and visitors. Real and perceived barriers were removed from the green and pavilion. The club became even more welcoming to all sections of the community and a model of best sporting practice. During Math’s time as club President the committed Beveridge Park BC project team designed, fund raised, applied for grants and concluded a project that enabled players with mobility and sensory challenges to access all areas of the club facilities.

Math Thomson has over many years led from the front in promoting inclusive practice within the Beveridge Park BC and beyond. Without the support of Beveridge Park BC members, Fife would not have experienced the level of success it has over the last four decades in Para Bowls. I understand the famous Beveridge Park BC clock is up and running – an excellent indicator of progress at the highest level.
The thoughts of all of us in Disability Sport Fife and Scottish Disability Sport are with Anne and the Thomson family during this period of great loss and sadness.

Math is extreme left in photo 1 and second from right in photo 2.

Richard

Central Fife ClubSport Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre Active Fife Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Scottish Disability Sport Beveridge Park Bowling Club Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council East Fife Indoor Bowling Club Scottish ClubSport - SALSC

Address

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Viewfield
Glenrothes
KY62RD

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 10:30am - 2:30pm

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Our Story

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) celebrated 40 years in 2017 as the lead body in disability sport for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. DSF is a Branch of Scottish Disability Sport with a Charity Registration number of SC020994. DSF high performance athlete members have been enormously successful in European and World Championships plus Paralympic Games all over the world. DSF has supported 25 members to become GB Paralympians since 1977. DSF individuals and teams have enjoyed enormous success in national events organised by SDS. Each year DSF organises an extensive programme of sports events and provides education and training opportunities for coaches and volunteers. DSF employs an experienced team of sessional coaches to deliver sports specific activity sessions weekly across Fife. DSF has a part time administrator based in the DSF Office in the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre supported by a Fife Council grant. DSF has a Service Level Agreement with the Fife sports and Leisure Trust and works in partnership with Active Fife, Health and Social Care and numerous voluntary organisations concerned with disabled people. DSF has committees that deal with governance, finance, performance sport, safeguarding and equality. DSF has established a Hall of Fame to recognise high performance athletes and players who have achieved significant success in international disability sport. The DSF Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening is now a significant occasion in the Fife Sporting Year with over 100 attendees. DSF operates across Fife and has a history of supporting individuals of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. DSF is a multi sport organisation with strong local, national and international partners. DSF has strong funding partners including Scottish Disability Sport, sportscotland, Big Lottery, Order of St John in Fife, the Association of Fife Rotary Clubs, St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club, Scottish FA, Russell Hogg Trust, Mary Leishman Foundation, Scottish Disabled Sports Trust, Spirit of 2012 (GOGA in Fife) etc. DSF has has links with Active Schools, Active Fife, Bums off Seats, Scottish FA Football Development officers in Fife, Dunfermline Tennis Club, Glenrothes Strollers, Beveridge Park BC, Dovecot BC, Headwell BC, Fife AC, InCas, Carnegie SC, FINS, St Andrews Coastal Rowing Club, St Andrews BC, Lumphinnins BC, Windygates BC etc etc.