Coaching Curlers with a Disability
Curling is accessible to people with a wide range of abilities, most of the barriers are ones put up by people. Coaches often feel they don’t have the skills to coach disabled participants but with a little planning, you can make a difference. Often, very little training is required, just a willingness to see the person as an individual. Good coaches already recognise the need to differentiate activities for different ability levels. Inclusive curling offers ALL learners with a disability or impairment the opportunity to realise their full potential in curling by providing options appropriate to their individual needs, abilities and environment.
We would love to see coaches who are confident to:
- Focus on ability rather than disability
- Support the inclusion of disabled people in curling
- Understand how to challenge real and perceived barriers
- Know where to go to for further information
The aim is to increase the resources available on this website, please suggest anything you might find helpful.
Resources
Too few people with a disability are able to access sport, curling is a great activity for people to take up, there are lots of resources to make curling more accessible.
Statistics on disabled people in sport in Scotland
Activity Alliance engagement videos
Activity Alliance information on engaging disabled people in physical activity Scroll down here for engagement fact sheets
Lots of resources on Inclusive communications from the Activity Alliance. Make sure your language and marketing is not a barrier for people.
Resources for various abilities and disabilities
A curling coaches Guide to ADHD – booklet with hints and tips for including curlers with ADHD in your sessions
Autism and Curling – an article on using curling as a means for people with autism to find success and connection with others (links to external website)
Social Story – Going Curling – a social story type resource to help young people or adults understand a little about curling before coming to the rink
Autism sport and physical activty booklet
TOP 10 TIPS for coaching people with a disability
Mental Health Awareness for Sport course
SAMH Get active for your mental Health
Loughborough University Fit for Life sport guides for various disabilities
A report from the MS Society by Jenni Parkin Why curling is a great choice for people with MS
ICE Awards – Inclusive Curling Experience – includes a coach’s guide, curlers passport and certificates for each level to record progress and achievement. Available from Scottish Curling office. Currently Free of Charge. Every Ice rink has a resource folder, more can be requested.
Coaching Adults with Dementia Top Tips for_Exercise_and_physical_activity
MS Society Guidance for Sports coaches
Resource to help Student Sport be more inclusive
Courses
Courses are available to all those looking to increase their curling, in both coaching and umpiring knowledge:
- Level 1 Coaching
- Level 2 Coaching
- Stick Delivery (Standing and Seated)
- Key Principles
- Sweeping (Basic and Advanced)
- Tactics (Basic and Advanced)
- Introduction to Mixed Doubles
- Rules Upskilling
- Timer Training
- Games Umpire Course
- Advanced Umpire Course
- Ready Steady Curl
- Floor Curling
A full course brochure is available here.
We are also looking to develop an ‘inclusive curling’ workshop. Please contact Rhiannon on rhiannon@scottishcurling.org or 07756 555028 for more information.
