Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has recommitted its financial support to Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) for the second year in succession to further aid boccia development throughout Scotland.

The backing from Shepherd will help fund SDS’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for people of all abilities to try and participate in boccia across the country.

Ian Fergusson, Senior Partner at Shepherd, said: “Having seen first-hand the benefits of SDS’s inspirational boccia programme, we’re delighted to recommit our financial support for this hugely inclusive sport which caters for all abilities, and look forward to continue to play an active part in the growth of this popular sport throughout Scotland.”

Acting as the Scottish Governing Body for boccia, SDS is continually campaigning to make the sport accessible for all, providing clear pathways to engage in the sport in both urban and rural areas of Scotland.

Currently Scotland has 36 boccia opportunities which allows over 720 people to enjoy the game of boccia. To make this happen there are over 199 volunteers who support these opportunities. These volunteers are vital in supporting the athletes thrive and develop.

Gavin MacLeod, SDS Chief Executive said: “SDS is delighted to receive this recommitment of funding support from Shepherd Chartered Surveyors.

Financial support of this nature goes a long way to allowing us to offer more players with disabilities access to this fantastic Paralympic sport. Funding will be used to enhance access to training and competition for players across Scotland. Our thanks go to everyone at Shepherd Chartered Surveyors.”

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. SDS’s vision is to ensure that sport and physical activity in Scotland are welcoming and inclusive for participants with disabilities. 

Through strong leadership and effective partnerships, SDS strives to engage and sustain participants, support athlete progression and influence change.

SDS has 14 branches covering most of Scotland, reaching from Shetland in the north to the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway in the south.

 SDS is constantly attempting to widen the range of available sports options for individuals of all levels of ability with a disability in Scotland. SDS has the responsibility of creating appropriate sport specific pathways for individual sports people. 

Playground to Podium is the goal of many talented Scottish disabled sportsmen and women and SDS is there to offer support and advice when required.