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 pla

yers 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.

Pamela Mitchell from Dunfermline - a very special Fife bowlerFor almost 50 years, bowling clubs throughout Fife have sup...
10/06/2026

Pamela Mitchell from Dunfermline - a very special Fife bowler

For almost 50 years, bowling clubs throughout Fife have supported Disability Sport Fife members and volunteers to develop their skills and access all that a local bowling club has to offer.

Pamela Mitchell from Dunfermline is a member of Headwell BC and Disability Sport Fife’s most successful lady bowler. Scottish international bowler Sarah Jane Ewing is a member of the same club and over the years has been an enormous influence on Pamela’s playing career. Pamela led Team Fife to titles at the (SDS) Scottish Inter Area Championships and has a string of Scottish Indoor and Lawn Bowls titles to her name. Pamela’s record at Special Olympics Games is second to none and she is currently a member of the Scottish Team that competes against the other Home Nations. It was the late Alex McLean 40 years ago who inspired and supported Pamela and others to take up the sport.

Pamela has rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s great players. She has travelled extensively and her career spans several decades. Pamela has been called up by Headwell BC to compete in fours in mainstream national competitions. For those who know Pamela they will confirm that win, lose or draw her demeanour is exactly the same. She is an exceptional sportswoman as well as being a very committed competitor. It goes without saying that Pamela is a DSF ambassador par excellence and one of the most pleasant individuals you are ever likely to meet.

Disability Sport Fife is proud of Pamela and all that she has achieved in bowls. Her early career was shaped by a DSF “champion” Alex Mclean from Fife Social Work Department who set her up on the bowls pathway. DSF continues to look for “champions” to react and encourage in the way Alex and others did back in the 70s and 80s. Fortunately the sport of bowls has had the support of more recent “champions” like Sarah Jane Ewing, Chris Osborne, Math Thomson, Andy Mathieson, Bob Dick, John Collins and others in clubs across Fife. Bowls is such an inclusive community sport in Fife. The quality of the lives of so many DSF members has been changed significantly by their interest and passion for the sport of bowls.

The photos attached are a short record of Pamela's time in the sport of bowls.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE

Scottish Disability Sport Central Fife ClubSport Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Scottish ClubSport - SALSC Beveridge Park Bowling Club Active Fife Fife Active Schools Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre Carnegie Leisure Centre Pitreavie Athletics Centre Bowls Scotland

George Donaldson MBE – St AndrewsDisability Sport Fife (SCIO) has recently learned of the passing of George Donaldson MB...
03/06/2026

George Donaldson MBE – St Andrews

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) has recently learned of the passing of George Donaldson MBE. Our thoughts are with George’s wife Joyce, children Louise and Colin, daughter in law Louise and granddaughters Emma and Mille. George died peacefully on Saturday May 16.

George enjoyed distinguished careers at Dundee College, Dundee University and St Andrews University. George served as an elder at Holy Trinity Church for 45 years and was an active member of St Andrews Boys Brigade, serving as captain. George worked with the Children’s Panel, St Andrews Burns Club and the Order of St John in Fife.

Back in 1994, DSF (SCIO) received its first donation of £250 from the members of the Order of St John in Fife. DSF athlete members Leigh Catignani and Paul Johnston were the beneficiaries. Traditionally at each annual Carol Service DSF received a donation from the Order of St John to be used to support any one of many DSF special causes. Apart from supporting individual athletes, Order members provided £30,000 towards the purchase of the DSF Mercedes minibus that became a vital transport link for DSF teams.

Around £22,000 was committed by Order members to help Fife Special Olympics teams to compete in Summer Special Olympic Games. In total around 70K of funding was directed to DSF members since to help them pursue their sporting dreams. DSF Trustees are indebted to Order Members past and present who championed the DSF cause and would wish to acknowledge in particular-Ellen Hay, Gerry Buxton, Rev Clifford Strong, George Donaldson, Dr George Caithness, Dr Jim Delaney and Lawson Rennie.

George was a founder member of the Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews in August 1996, later serving as President and receiving the Paul Harris Award. George and his Rotary colleagues adopted Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) as a preferred charity and introduced the Rotary Quaich that is presented annually to a DSF member athlete along with an athlete bursary. Over the years George and his colleagues have supported many DSF special programmes/projects and individuals.

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) acknowledges George Donaldson and members past and present from the Order of St John in Fife and Kilrymont St Andrews Rotary Club who have supported DSF athlete members over many years.

Photo: George is on the right of the photo at a club meeting in St Andrews.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE
Scottish Disability SportFife Sports and Leisure TrustCentral Fife ClubSport Scottish ClubSport - SALSC Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews Active Fife

🏃🏼‍♂️🌳 Photos from our Cross Country event last Thursday 🏃🏃‍♀️A huge well done to everyone who took part. The weather wa...
03/06/2026

🏃🏼‍♂️🌳 Photos from our Cross Country event last Thursday 🏃🏃‍♀️

A huge well done to everyone who took part. The weather was great and you all put in a fantastic effort making for a very successful day! ☀️👏

Thank you so much to Fife Athletic Club for their support in running the event, to teachers and support staff from Madras College, St Andrews High School, Kirkcaldy High School, Balwearie High School and to those supporting our individual athletes ⭐️

01/06/2026

☔️📢 Session Cancellation 📢⚡️

Due to today's weather forecast, the decision has been made to cancel Racquet Sports. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next session ⭐️

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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