Disability Sports Development Officer

My name is Dave Callaghan and I am the Disability Sports Development Officer (DSDO) for the Isle of Man. This position was created in order to provide services and opportunities for disabled people to take more of an active role in sport.

The Isle of Man Government is committed to equality of opportunity for all and firmly believe that disabled people should have the same access to sporting opportunities and personal development as non-disabled people.

Mission Statement

Manx Sport and Recreation is committed to the equality of opportunity for people with disabilities to take part in and enjoy sport and physical activity at a level of their choice.

Objectives

Environment

To develop and enhance the inclusion of disabled people in community based sport and physical activity opportunities.

To support key partners to increase sustainable and accessible sport and physical activity for disabled people.

Sport

To develop sporting pathways for disabled people

Ensure that the pathways and opportunities that exist for disabled people in sport are identified.
Ensure that National Governing Bodies programmes and products are inclusive.
Ensure that competitive opportunities for disabled sports people are available.
Ensure that talented disabled sports people are identified and their development supported.

Training

To improve skills, knowledge and understanding of the community to effectively deliver sport for the disabled.

To source, provide and/or design high quality training to satisfy current and evolving training needs identified within the structure of the Isle of Man Sports Development programme.

Empowerment

To empower disabled people to take a full and active role within sport.

To increase the number of disabled people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to take a full and active role within any aspect of the sport/physical activity industry.

Education

To improve the quality and quantity of PE and school sport for young disabled people in special and mainstream education.

To work closely with those delivering PE and school sport.
Ensure that young disabled people have access to extra curricular sporting opportunities.
Ensure that disabled people have improved access to formal qualifications in sport and leisure.
Ensure that disabled people have improved access to work placements in the sport and leisure industry.

Media

To increase awareness and understanding of sport for disabled people.

Raise the profile of sport, physical education and healthy activities for disabled people in the Isle of Man.
To pro actively lobby key partners to ensure that disabled peoples sport and physical needs are met.

Main Duties....

My main duties are as follows:

To collect data of persons with disabilities on the island and assess the current participation levels in sport and recreation.
To facilitate the formation of a Disability Sports Forum to co-ordinate the delivery of sporting opportunities.
To establish and co-ordinate a long-term development plan for the delivery of sports for disabled people.
Identify the barriers to disabled people becoming sports participants and coaches and develop innovative solutions.
Support the voluntary sector to develop sustainable sporting pathways for disabled people to a level of their choosing and ability.
To formulate and deliver, either directly or through partners (such as coaches, sports bodies/clubs etc..) a wide range of sports development services and sports opportunities for disabled persons.
To liaise with facility managers at the National Sports Centre in order to ensure effective adaptation/utilisation of the facilities for disabled groups and individuals.
To ensure that all sports schemes, programmes and facility operations under the control of the DSDO are undertaken in compliance with established policy, statutory provisions and industry good practice; with a particular emphasis on ensuring health and safety. In relationship to partnership schemes under the control of external agencies; ensuring that the Department is only associated with services meeting those standards.
To liaise with the Isle of Man Sports Council and the Governing Bodies of Sport to assist in the formation of programmes for disabled persons.
To liaise with both primary and secondary schools to enable children and young persons with disabilities to participate in sport.
Work closely with Governing Bodies to assist in addressing the issues of recruitment and training of coaches.

Contact Details

Tel.: (01624) 688559

Fax: (01624) 688566

Post: Sports Development Unit, National Sports Centre, Groves Road, Douglas, IM2 1RB

E-mail:Dave.Callaghan@msr.dtl.gov.im

In order for Manx Sport & Recreation to set up a disability sports programme, certain information needs to be gathered in order to maximise the resources available to us. The attachment below is a questionnaire that will provide the information that we need for this process. I hope will be able to find the time to complete the questionnaire and return it to me at the above address. I thank you for your time.

MANX DISABILITY TASTER DAY WEDNESDAY 19th APRIL 2006

The Manx Disability Taster Day will be held at the National Sports Centre on Wednesday 19th April 2006. The days activities will be overseen by experienced MSR Coaches who will provide a fun and health related way for disabled youngsters to experience sport/fitness.

In order for us to deliver a high quality service it would be helpful to have some idea as to how many young people we can expect on the day, what level and type of disability they might have and if they have any additional needs.

We hope that you will be interested in coming along to the Taster Day and ask that you download the attached Pre-registration form and return it to Sports Development Unit with a cheque for £2.50 (made payable to I.O.M.Government).

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON THIS OCCASION WE MUST ASK THAT AS PARENT/GUARDIAN YOU STAY AND SUPERVISE YOUR CHILD AT ALL TIMES DURING THE 2 HR SESSION.

We sincerely appreciate your involvement in Manx Disability Sport and look forward to welcoming you on the day. Best wishes

Dave Callaghan

Disability Sports Development Officer

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