Formation & Development of Disability Sports NI - Establishment of DSNI in 1997

Despite the fact that 1 in 5 of the population in Northern Ireland (See Research Page) have some form of disability, a range of attitudinal, physical, economic and structural barriers combined with a historical lack of investment by government in sport for people with disabilities had resulted in a situation in the 1990’s where organised opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport or physical activity were extremely limited.

Although a small number of disability ‘governing bodies of sport’ were running valuable programmes for specific ‘impairment groups’ particularly at a competitive level, these groups were very poorly resourced and were dependent on the goodwill of a small number of dedicated volunteers. Because of this the groups lacked the capacity to provide opportunities and activities in the scale required.

In recognition of this situation, and following a planning process initiated and facilitated by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, the four existing disability specific ‘governing bodies’ of sport agreed to set up a disability sports umbrella organisation to have overall responsibility for the co-ordination, promotion and development of disability sport throughout Northern Ireland. This was achieved in June 1997 when Disability Sports NI was legally established.

Development of Disability Sports NI (1997 – 2001)

Disability Sports NI was subsequently launched in February 1998. Initially the organization operated under the umbrella of Disability Action (NI rights based disability charity) but became fully independent on the 1st April 2000 when premises were secured and the organization began officially ‘trading’ as a limited company with charitable status.

At this point the Sports Development Officer previously employed by Disability Action transferred to Disability Sports NI, and a range of events and programmes were organized directly by Disability Sports NI for the first time.

From the outset Disability Sports NI and its member groups recognised that the key to the further development of sporting opportunities for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland was the establishment of a stronger more unified organization. This was achieved by April 2001 when the main disability sports organisations in Northern Ireland (with the exception of Northern Ireland Blind Sports) reorganized transforming Disability Sports NI into a unified organization with a club membership structure.

Following this reorganisation Disability Sports NI gradually expanded the range and scope of its activities and in the year ending March 2002 around 6,000 disabled children and adults with physical, sensory and learning disabilities benefited directly from the organisation’s services, projects and events.

Financial Crisis (2002 – 2003)

Despite this success at an operational level, issues related to the traditionally low levels of funding provided by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland remained unresolved. DSNI’s already tenuous financial position was further accentuated when because of government cutbacks SCNI funding of DSNI was reduced to £5,000 for the year 2002/2003, causing a financial crisis which brought the organization to the brink of closure in the summer of 2002.

Initially the organization was forced to suspend some of its programmes and events, but following a great deal of lobbying, the Minister for Sport Mr Michael McGimpsey MLA provided the organisation with short-term funding to maintain its core services until a more long term solution could be found.

A New Beginning (2003 – Present)

By the summer of 2003 Disability Sports NI was successful in securing a generous package of funding from the Sports Council for Northern Ireland for a three year period up until March 2006. The level of funding secured was well in excess of that received in the past and provided Disability Sports NI with the resources required to begin to tackle the under representation of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity. Two new Development Officers were appointed in November 2003 and the organization began to develop and expand its much needed programmes.

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MISSION & OBJECTIVES

MISSION & OBJECTIVES

Working to achieve equality of opportunity for people with disabilities to take part in and enjoy sport and physical activity at a level of their choice.

CORE OBJECTIVES

• POLICY DEVELOPMENT - PROMOTING EQUALITY IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
  To support the development of clear policies within regional (NI) and national statutory and voluntary organisations which will encourage the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity.
• INFORMATION, ADVICE AND PROMOTION- EMPOWERING PEOPLE
  To encourage participation and promote the development of sport and physical activity for people with disabilities through the provision of a comprehensive information and advice service in Northern Ireland.
• TRAINING AND COACH EDUCATION - SKILLING PEOPLE
  To develop an infrastructure of trained volunteers, coaches and staff, including people with disabilities themselves who can enable, support and facilitate the full inclusion of disabled people into sport and physical activity.
• COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION - ENABLING ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
  In partnership with other agencies, to develop and provide locally available participation opportunities which enable people with disabilities to lead active and healthy lifestyles through the medium of sport and physical activity.
• FACILITY DEVELOPMENT – DEVELOPING INCLUSIVE FACILITIES
  In partnership with other agencies to support the development of inclusive local sports and leisure facilities which enable people with disabilities to access sports and physical activity opportunities.
• COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES AND PERFORMANCE SPORT - ENCOURAGING EXCELLENCE
  In partnership with other agencies to develop support programmes, performance pathways and management structures which enable and support talented athletes with disabilities to achieve higher levels of performance in their sport.
• ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND INCOME GENERATION - MAKING IT HAPPEN
  To manage and develop an effective and well-resourced organisation to support and represent people with disabilities.

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Membership

Disability Sports NI is representative of the vast majority of Northern Ireland’s disability sports clubs and organisations. At the end of 2004, a total of 80 organisations/groups were members of Disability Sports NI. This consisted of 12 sports clubs & organisations, 30 special schools, 39 adult centres & residential homes.

Membership of Disability Sports NI is free and is open to any organisation which actively works to provide sports and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland. Two types of membership are available as follows:

• Club Membership:Open to clubs and governing bodies actively promoting sports and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.
• General Membership:Open to schools, adult centres and residential homes actively promoting sports and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.

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Membership Benefits

Information Service

• Two copies of ‘Active’ Magazine annually.
• Information & Advice Service.
• Annual ‘Get Active/Get Into Sport’ Development/Exhibition Day
• Inclusion on website (clubs only).

Representation

• A voice in the future development of sport for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.
• Entitlement to vote at AGM and to nominate your representative for election to Board of Trustees.

Events Programme

• Access to DSNI events programme (Aerobics, Sports Hall Athletics, Pool, Adapted Games, Swimming and New Age Kurling).

Training & Coach Education

• Access to disability and sports specific training, child protection and coach education courses at subsidised rates.

Volunteer Support

• Support with recruitment and training of volunteers.

Funding

• Funding advice & access to ‘Grant-Tracker’ Fundraising database/resource.
• Fundraising information seminars.

Athlete Support

• Support/performance management service for talented disabled sports people eligible for lottery funding.

Major Events

• Support with the organisation of Major Events (Clubs Only).

You can apply for new membership or renew your existing membership of Disability Sports NI by contact DSNI:

Disability Sports NI Staff

Disability Sports NI currently employs a Development Manager, two Development Officers and a part-time Administrator. In time the organisation plans to expand its team of development staff.

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