About Perth and Kinross Disability Sport

Perth & Kinross Disability Sport - SCIO (PKDS)

In the late 1990s, Jen Quinton saw a gap. People with a disability across Perth & Kinross had few opportunities to take part in sport - and even fewer chances to be heard. So she set up a small sub-committee within Perth & Kinross Sports Council with one simple purpose: give people with a disability a voice, and the chance to participate. 

That simple idea became Perth & Kinross Disability Sport. We became a registered charity in 2002 before becoming a SCIO in 2023, and today we're a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport, working alongside colleagues across the country. But the focus Jen started with hasn't changed - we still exist to make sure ability is never the reason someone misses out. 

A Region With Its Own Challenges 

Perth & Kinross is a big, spread-out area, with rural communities that don't always have the same access as those in the city centre. That's a real challenge when it comes to reaching people - so we built a Development Plan that reflects our region as it actually is, not a one-size-fits-all approach borrowed from somewhere else. 

That's why our reach goes right across rural Perthshire, not just the city centre - bringing sport sessions to communities that would otherwise miss out. We also help build and grow disability-specific clubs, including Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports and Boccia Club, Perth Dolphins Disability Swim Club, and Kinross Wheelchair Curling Club - giving people a sporting home, not just a one-off session. 

At its core, our plan is about connecting people with coaches and clubs, creating a pathway from a first taster session all the way to national or even international competition, and building a team of skilled volunteers and coaches who can support people at every stage. You can download our full Development Plan here for the complete detail on what we are trying to do. 

Proof It's Working: The Fair City Games 

You can see that plan in action through the Fair City Games - our competitive events programme, and one of the clearest signs of how far we've come. Our Events programme began in 2019 with just three sports: lawn bowls, boccia and badminton. Today, it's grown to ten, and counting. 

As Branch Coordinator Graeme Doig puts it: “I've always thought that we have our next national or international champion living in our community, they just haven't had the opportunity to find their sport yet.” The Fair City Games exists to give them that opportunity. Read the full Fair City Games story here. 

Our reach also extends into education. In partnership with local and regional organisations, we deliver a varied school sports event programme each year, giving pupils the chance to try everything from swimming and boccia to Sportshall Athletics and Track & Field. We do the same for students at UHI Perth, running Boccia, Sportshall Athletics and Track & Field events - because opportunities to discover sport shouldn't stop once you've left the weekly session behind.

Where We're Headed 

We've supported thousands of people throughout Perth & Kinross so far, and we're proud of that - but we're not finished. Every year, we want to reach more people, in more corners of the region, and help more of them discover a sport or activity they didn't know they'd love. 

If you or a family member would like the opportunity to try something new, or pick up an old passion again, we'd like to help. Get in touch with our Branch Coordinator, Graeme Doig, at graeme@pkds.org.uk.