DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the
financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name
Disability Sport Nl Ltd
Charity registration number
NIC102838
Company registration number N1032590
Principal office and registered Unit G, Curlew Pavilion, Portside Business Park
office
189 Airport Road West
Belfast, BT3 9ED
The Trustees
Mr Patrick Marshall- Chair
Ms Barbara Jill Poots- VI￿-Chair
Mr Stephen Friel
Mr Michael Hilland
Mr Anthony Paul Barclay (Appointed 15th February 2022)
Mr David Cowan (Appointed 15th February 2022)
Ms Laura-Lee Jenkins (Resigned 24th May 2022)
Mr Graham Fitzgerald (Resigned 25th October 2022)
Mr James Rose {Appointed 28th January 2023)
Mr Barry Shannon (Appointed 28th January 2023)
Mr Greg Yarnall {Appointed 28th January 2023)
Ms Nicola Woods (Appointed 28th January 2023)
Company secretary
Mr Kevin O'Neill
Senior Staff
Mr Kevin O'Neill- Chief Executive
Mrs Linda Moody - Finance and Governance Manager
Miss Rhian McCarroll- Performance Sport Manager
Mr Aubrey Bingham- Community Sport Manager
Auditor
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountsnt & statutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN
Bankers
Danske Bank
Small Business
PO Box 183
Donegall Square West
Belfast
BT16JS

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
ABOUT US
Disability Sport Nl Ltd is Northern Ireland's main disability sports charity working to improve the health
and wellbeing of disabled people through sport and active recreation. We work with people with
physical, sensory and learning disabilities of all ages and with schools, disability groups, sporting
organisations and clubs to ensure that everyone can benefit from the health, social and educational
benefits of sport and recreation.
We believe that every person with a disability has the right to participate in all aspects of life and are
committed to building a more inclusive society where disabled people have the same opportunity as
non-disabled people to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle through sport and active recreation
Launched in 1998 by a number of small disability sports groups to address the under representstion of
disabled people in sport, we have gradually grown to represent the vast majority of disability sports
groups and clubs in Northern Ireland.
We currently have 130 members made up of disability and mainstream sports organisations and clubs,
disability groups, schools and adult centres and organise a range of participation programmes, events,
training courses and education projects - all designed to improve the health and wellbeing of disabled
people.
We also work closely with Governing Bodies of Sport and British and Irish performance sports
organisations to ensure that talented disabled sports people have the same opportunity as their non-
disabled peers to train, compete and excel in their chosen sport on the world stage.
Our vision for the future is
an inclusive society where disabled people fully participate in all
aspects of life, including sport and active recreation.
Our mission is - to develop sports and active recreation opportunities which give disabled people an
equal opportunity to live a full, active and healthy lifestyle.
Our Strategic Outcomes are -
A more equal and inclusive society, where more disabled people participate, compete and ex￿1 in
sport and active recreation at a level of their choice-,
The improved health and wellbeing of disabled people-
Equality of access for disabled people to participate in sport and active recreation throughout
Northern Ireland.

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantse
Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Disability Sport Nl Ltd is a charitable company limited by guarantee and does not have share capital. In
the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not ex￿edIng
£1. The company was established under a Memorandum ofAssociation which sets out the objects and
powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. It was incorporated on 24th
June 1997 and registered as a charity with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 22nd May
2015.
Organisation structure
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic development and governance of the charity. The
Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, meet 6 times per year to review the
overall strategy, policies and goals of Disability Sport Nl and monitor progress against the priorities
identified in the organisation's strategic plan.
The Board has a Finance Sub-committee with a Terms of Reference approved by the Board. The
Sub-committee consists of three trustees appointed by the Board - of whom have relevant
financial experience andlor qualifications. The committee meets not less than 4 times per year and
advises the Board on all financial matters, with final decision making remaining the responsibility of the
Board.
Trustees give of their time freely and receive no remuneration but may be reimbursed for incidental
expenses incurred.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is appointed by the Trustees, is responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the charity - supported by a management team consisting of the Finance & Governance
Manager, Performance Sport Manager and Community Sport Manager.
The charity has adopted the National Joint Council (NJC) pay scales for its use. Increments will normally
be awarded annually, from 1SIApril, to all employees who have served at least six months in their current
grade and have not reached the maximum placing on their scale. Inflationary increases are awarded in
line with the NJC'S annual pay agreement.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are recruited on a rotational basis through an open selection and recruitment process, with
positions advertised publicly on the websites of a range of relevant sports and charity websites.
A panel consisting of ￿0 existing Trustees, normally the Chair and Vice Chair, oversee the selection
and recruitment of new Trustees. The CEO also sits on the panel but in a strictly advisory capacity.
Following short-listing and interview, the selection panel makes a recommendation for appointment
based on the skills and experience of applicants. Recommended candidates are considered and, if
appropriate, appointed by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Trustees are appointed for
an initial period of four years and may, subject to satisfactory performance, be reappointed for a second
period of four years at the discretion of the Chairperson.
This ongoing process ensures that the Board has Trustees with a broad and varied range of skills and
experience.

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Trustee induction and training
Following election at the Annual General Meeting, newly appointed Trustees undergo induction training
to brief them on..
their role, responsibilities and legal obligations under company and charity law,
the organisation's values, mission and strategic objectives,
organisational structure, key activities, policies and procedures,
the strategicloperational planning and decision-making processes,
key funders, financial position and reserves policy,
Trustee expenses.
During the induction meeting, new Trustees are provided with the following documents=
Strategic Plan
Most Recent Annual Impact Report
Policies and Procedures Handbook
Trustees Role Description
A training needs analysis is carried out regularly to identify the training needs of Trustees and training
organised as required.
Live Active Enterprises Nl C.l.C
The charity established a community interest company in March 2016. The company is a subsidiary of
Disability Sport Nl Ltd, with the charity being the sole member of the company.
The purpose of the social enterprise is to run projects with a broader focus on providing active recreation
opportunities which improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the community, including disabled
people and other under-represented groups, as well as developing and managing commercial services
which generate income for the charity. Disability Sport Nl Ltd is the sole member of Live Active
Enterprises Nl C.l.C.
During the reporting period the Board of the social enterprise company consisted of three Non-Executive
Directors, of whom were employees of Disability Sport Nl Ltd. The Chair of Disability Sport Nl Ltd
is also the Chair of Live Active Enterprises Nl C.l.C.

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
OBJECTIVES
Disability Sport Nl Ltd is established for the relief of disabled people in Northern Ireland without regard
to their age, sex, race, religion, political opinion, colour or ethnicity, particularly by the provision of
recreational or sporting facilities and training for the relief of such persons.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities
undertaken have helped to achieve the Charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
This year was the first of Disability Sport Nl's new Strategic Plan covering the period 2020-2024. Over
the period of this plan the charity will have five strategic priorities as listed below=
Strategic Priority 1: Improving Health and Wellbeing
To improve the health and wellbeing of disabled people and people with long term
health conditions through increased participation in sport and active recreation
opportunities in every area of Northern Ireland.
Strategic Priority 2: Developing Sporting Talent
To lead the development of performance pathways and support programmes
which enable talented athletes with disabilities to achieve higher levels of
performance in their sport including continued international medal success.
strategic Priority 3: Inclusive Sports Facilities and Outdoor Places
To develop access services which encourage and support the development of
sports facilities and outdoor places which are inclusive of disabled people.
Strategic Priority 4: Communications, Training and Engagement
To inspire, facilitate and encourage disabled people to participate in sport and
active recreation by engaging with disabled people and the broader community, by
delivering inclusive training and by promoting the social model of disability.
Strategic Priority 5: Governance and Income Generation
To manage an effective, well governed organisation with the capacity to lead the
development of disability sport and active recreation in Northern Ireland.

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
For each of the charity's five strategic priorities a summary of the main achievements during the year
have been provided below:
Strategic Priority 1: Improving Health and Wellbeing
To improve the health and wellbeing of disabled people and people with long term health conditions
through increased participation in sport and active recreation opportunities in every area of Northern
Ireland.
Achievements
Community Participation Programmes: Following on from the negative impact of COVID-19 in the
previous year the charity built back a range of sports and active recreation programmes in partnership
with a number of District Councils and disability organisations across Northern Ireland. By the end of
year the charity had organised a varied range of sports and recreation activities which delivered 19,569
participant opportunities to 6,107 disabled people. A summary of these programmes is provided below:
1.1 Community Participation Projects: The delivery of the following 4 partnership projects in 3
district council areas..
Inclusive Sports and Leisure Project funded by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Borough Council - activities included Nordic walking, indoor adapted cycling, 'wheelie active,
sessions, inclusive gym programmes, specialist sports programmes for people with learning
disabilities, people with autism and people with physical disabilities held at the new South
Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon.
GOGA in Action Project funded by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
activities included weekly 'Buggy Fit, and Tai Chi sessions as well as the delivery of three
local fitness programmes in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon areas.
Get Out Get Active 2 Project in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area funded by the
Spirit of 2012 Fund - activities included Nordic Walking, an 'Over 50s Better Connected,
exercise programme, a 'Pawsitive Walks & Talks, programme, a social Racquets Club, an
autism friendly 'Quiet Family Swim Hour, at Seven Towers Leisure Centre, an adult pan
disability come & try session at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre as well as the delivery of
Inclusive PE training and 'Walx Community Leaders, training for local teachers and
volunteers.
Get Out Get Active 2 Project in the Mid Ulster District Council area funded by the Spirit of
2012 Fund. Activities included inclusive walking programmes, 'Wheelie Active. sessions, a
'UV Glow Up Disco Dance Roadshow, organised in partnership with Mencap, the
organisation of a summer scheme for deaf children and the delivery of Inclusive PE training
and Inclusive Skills and Games training for local teachers and volunteers. Planning also
continued to develop a Memory Walk trail and map, in partnership with the Council, which will
be particularly suitable for people with dementia.

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
1.2 Local Participation Programmes.. The delivery of a varied range of participation programmes
linked to the District Council Disability Sports Hubs previously established by the charity in all 11
District Council areas. Activities included inclusive walking, adapted cycling, boccia, inclusive
gymlfitness programmes and 'Wheelie Active, sessions.
1.3 Impairment Specific Programmes: The development of a range of impairment specific
programmes in partnership with Deaf sports and Blind sports organisations. Programmes included:
The organisation and delivery of a year-long training programme for Belfast Panthers Ladies
(Deafj Basketball Club.
The delivery of a 'Multi-skills' programme for Cregagh Primary School Hearing Impairment
Unit.
The delivery of community Boccia programme for an RNIB group in Coleraine. walking
programmes for RNIB groups in Belfast and Antrim and archery events for RNIB groups in
Newtownabbey and Bangor.
Engagement with Northern Ireland four Tandem Clubs in Belfast, Derry, Lisburn and Newry
and Vision sport Ireland to plan a Tandem Pilot Training course which will take place early
next year.
1.4 All Out Trekking IAOT) Project: The charity continued to develop and deliver this innovative
outdoor based project which gives disabled people, and their non-disabled friends and family, the
opportunity to access countryside paths and mountain bike trails using a range of inclusive all-terrain
electric vehicles and bikes.
This year's AOT programme consisted of ￿lce weekly guided sessions for small groups of
disabled people and their friends and families, throughout the summer months from July to
September inclusive. By the end of the programme 218 people had participated in the programme.
Strategic Priority 2: Developing Sporting Talent
To lead the development of performance pathways and support programmes which enable talented
athletes with disabilities to achieve higher levels of performance in their sport including continued
international medal success.
Achievements
2.1 Inclusive Sport Award: The 'lnclusive Sport Award, (ISA) is the charity's accreditation scheme
designed to recognise governing bodies of sport who make a commitment to creating an inclusive
sports environment for disabled people.
Following the widespread disruption and suspension of Governing Body of sport programmes over the
last years caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the charity's focus this year was on reengaging
with Governing Bodies who had previously achieved the award and to revisit there ISA related action
plans. By the end of the year the charity's Performance Sport staff had successfully reengaged with all
11 Governing Bodies and were in the process of reviewing and updating their individual ISA action
plans. The 11 sports organisations who have achieved the ISA Award to date are as follows..
Irish Football Association-
Athletics Nl.,
Ulster Rugby.,
Swim Ulster",

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Ulster Tennis-
Nl Judo Federation-
British Gymnastics.,
. Ulster GAA.,
Canoe Nl.,
. Archery Nl.
2.2 Progressive Club Support Programme: In addition small development grants of £300 each,
funded by the Progressive Building Society were awarded to the following 11 clubs during the year..
Antrim All-stars Boccia Club
Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship Boccia Club (Belfast)
Bangor Boccia Club
Causeway Giants Wheelchair Basketball Club (Coleraine)
North West Wolves WBC (Derry}
Nl Knights WBC (Belfast)
Bangor Bulls WBC
Craigavon Lakers WBC
South West Storm WBC {Omagh)
Belfast Panthers Ladies Deaf Basketball Club
Ulster Barbarians Wheelchair Rugby Club (Lisburn & Antrim)
The Progressive Building Society's Regional Manager Kevin Flannery attended the AGM at the Dunsilly
Hotel, Antrim on 29th November, 2022 to present the grants to representatives of each club.
2.3 Inclusive Club Award: The Inclusive Club Award is an annual awards scheme run by the charity
to recognise clubs, and key individuals within clubs, who are being inclusive of disabled people. The
harity re￿iVed a number of strong, good quality applications for scheme this year, with a panel
Consisting of the Chair Paddy Marshall, Honorary PresidentAngela Hendra and Performance Pathways
Manager Rhian Mccarroll meeting on 17th November, 2022 to shortlist and select the winners.
The four individuals awards which make up the scheme were presented at the AGM at the Dunsilly
Hotel. Antrim on 29th November, 2022.
The winners of the awards were as follows:
Disability Sports Club of the Year- Trailblazers Powerchair Football Club
Mainstream Sports Club of the Year award - LX Gymnastics Centre
Wheelchair Basketball Club Person of the Year
Anna Shields (Craigavon Lakers
Wheelchair Basketball Club)
Boccia Club Person of the Year- Tessa King (Bangor Boccia Club)
2.4 British Paralympic Association {BPA} 'Parasport' Website: Staff worked in partnership the
BPA's'Parasport' Team to facilitate a'Parasport' video featuring the Bangor Bulls Wheelchair Basketball
Club, as part of the BPA'S 'Club of the Month, initiative.
2.5 Wheelchair Basketball: The delivery of a club development and performance programme for the
sport of wheelchair basketball, funded by Sport Nl.
2.5.1 Wheelchair Basketball Club Development Programme

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Northern Ireland Wheelchair Basketball League 2022-23: Disability Sport Nl continued to organise
the Northern Ireland league, sponsored by the Perennials RFC, with all 7 local wheelchair basketball
clubs participating. Throughout the season each club hosted a 'Game Day, with the final 'Game Day,
being hosted by Disability Sport Nl at Ulster University's Jordanstown campus on the 25th March 2023.
The Knights won the league after a very competitive final game with the Bangor Bulls. Disability Sport
Nl would like to thank the Perennials RFC for their continued support of the league.
Coach Education and Training: Throughout the year the charity organised and delivered a range of
courses for coaches, umpires and referees, designed to build a skilled and qualified volunteerworkforce
around the sport of wheelchair basketball in Northern Ireland.
2.5.2 Wheelchair Basketball Performance Programme
The wheelchair basketball performance programme, which is delivered in liaison with British Wheelchair
Basketball (BWB), is concerned with developing and improving performance pathways in Northern
Ireland which support tslented local players to be selected for national teams. This year's programme
was focused on feeding talented athletes into the GB & Nl World Class Paralympic Programme as well
as preparing a Northern Ireland 3x3 Team to compete in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Disability Sport Nl's 3x3 men's Northern Ireland team qualified forthe Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth
Games at the IWBF Europe 3x3 Commonwealth Games Qualifiers at Inverclyde, Scotland in April 2022.
The Northern Ireland squad consisting of Matt Rollston, Nathan Mccabe, Conn Nagle and James
Macsorley and coached by Disability Sport Nl's Wheelchair Basketball Performance Officer, Phil
Robinson went on to perform extremely well at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Despite
losing their opening fixture to a very strong Canadian team, the squad went on to achieve a 5th place
finish, with impressive wins against eventual Gold Medallists Australia in the group stage and South
Africa in the 5th16th place play-off. In all Northern Ireland won ￿0 of their three games during the
competition narrowly missing qualification for the semi-finals. The team's performance at the games has
had an undoubtedly positive impact upon the Wheelchair Basketball community in Northern Ireland.
Weekly Monday evening training sessions restarted for the Northern Ireland Wheelchair Basketball
Academy at the Antrim Forum Leisure Centre with a number of players across Tiers 1, 2 & 3 of the
programme and the Women's Development Group all involved in the sessions. To facilitate the Northern
Ireland Academy programme an interim Coach, Matt Rollston was appointed in October 2002, with
another coach, Paul McKillop appointed upon Matt's departure to play abroad.
For the first time the charity entered the Northern Ireland Academy Squad in to the British Wheelchair
Basketball (BWB) League Competition with a mixed gender team participating in the BWB Division 1
(North) League and a women's team participating in the BWB Women's League. Participation in these
BWB competitions enables the Nl Academy Players access to higher levels of competition and helps to
increase their skill and ability levels.
During the period, Conn Nagle was one of the 2 successful recipients of the Mary Peters Trust'make it
Happen Award, and Northern Ireland talented athletes James Macsorley, Conn Nagle and Katie Morrow
attended various GB Wheelchair Basketball training camps in England. A strong partnership and
working relationship continued with British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) throughout the year.
2.6 Boccia: The delivery of a Sport Nl funded club development and performance programme for the
sport of boccia, which is a Paralympic sport developed for people with high levels of impairment.
2.6.1 Boccia Club Development Programme
All 6 local Boccia clubs returned to training ahead of the 2022-2023 Northern Ireland Competition season

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
with new club sessions taking place at Lough Moss Leisure Centre in Carryduff. Throughout the year
Disability Sport Nl organised 4 Pairs League Competitions, 3 Open Championships and a Northern
Ireland Championships.
The Northern Ireland Championship took place on 4th March, with 25 participants across 6
classifications. The results from this competition fed into the selection process for the 2023 UK and
Irish Championships. National Classification was delivered alongside this competition, with 7 new
athletes receiving a new National Classification and 1 receiving a review.
The Boccia Pathway Officer represented DSNI at Boccia UK Workforce meetings and the Boccia
Pathway Group (BPG) throughout the year to share learning and gain insight with the other Home
Nations. A Boccia volunteer attended and passed the BISFed Basic Classifier training in Poland,
ensuring that the charity now has a medical classifier based in Northern Ireland which will be a great
benefit to the sport and athletes moving fO￿ardS.
Local coach Caroline Millar also won the Disability Coach of the Year Award at Sport Nl's 2022
'Sportsmaker' Awards, attending the awards ceremony at the Titanic Centre on 15th March to receive
her award.
2.6.2 Boccia Performance Programme
The boccia performance programme, which is delivered in liaison with Boccia UK, is concerned with
developing and improving performan￿ pathways in Northern Ireland which support talented local
players be selected for national Paralympic programmes.
The Northern Ireland 'Pathway Squad, training sessions took place in UUJ throughout the year with
several new players from clubs and taster sessions invited along to join the squad. Ongoing
communication continued with Boccia UK and Boccia Ireland to ensure the pathway programme aligns
to their programmes. Northern Ireland athletes also competed at the Scottish Open. UK Championships
and Irish Championships during the year.
For the first time Disability Sport Nl also hosted a Northern Ireland Boccia Challenger event which took
place in Antrim Forum Leisure Centre from 20th - 22nd January 2023. The event attracted 26 players
from Northern Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The event received very
positive feedback from players, home nation leads and Boccia UK staff.
Local talented athletes Claire Taggart (World #1) and Robyn McBride (World #18) were selected to
compete at the 2022 World Boccia Championships held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in December 2022.
The pairwere part of the Boccia UK team that reached three finals, with Claire securing Gold in the BC2
Individual and Silver in BC11BC2 team competitions. Robyn showed signs of her promising future
competing at her first world championships as she topped Pool D of the BC3 individual competition to
progress and finish in the last 16.
Claire Taggart and Robyn McBride also confirmed their places in the Boccia UK World Class
Programme for 2023, with both players being selected for the Zagreb 2023 World Boccia Challenger
which took place from 25th March - 1st April, 2023. Claire won a gold medal in the BC2F event and a
silver medal in the BC112 Team event.
In addition Claire Taggart was nominated for and won the 'Sports persOn￿eaM with a Disability Award.
at this year's Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Sports Awards.
10

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Strategic Priority 3: Inclusive Sports Facilities and Outdoor Places
To develop access services which encourage and support the development of sports facilities and
outdoor places which are inclusive of disabled people.
Achievements
The charity, with the support of its contracted Access Consultant Aisling Irvine of All In Access,
SUC￿$sfullY reviewed and updated the following four key access guidelines documents during the year..
Guide 1.. Accessible Sports Facilities Design Guidelines (December 2022 version)
Guide 2.. Accessible Sports Facilities Management Guidelines (December 2022 version)
Guide 3.. Accessible Sports Stsdia Design Guidelines (March 2023 version)
Guide 4.. Accessible Sports Stadia Management Guidelines (March 2023 version)
The documents can be downloaded from the Disability Sport Nl website.
Strategic Priority 4: Communications, Training and Engagement
To inspire, facilitate and encourage disabled people to participate in sport and active recreation by
engaging with disabled people and the broader community, by delivering inclusive training and by
promoting the social model of disability.
Achievements
Marketing and Social Media: A comprehensive range of marketing and social media activities were
implemented during the year in support of this strategic priority. Key areas of delivery are provided
below:
The development and launch of a new improved Disability Sport Nl website.
The development and'soft, launch of a new'Active Living No Limits, disability sport opportunities
website for Northern Ireland. The site will be formally launched by the 'Active Living No Limits,
Forum next year.
The successful management of information and news on the charity's website and social media
channels.
The production of a monthly Ezine.
PR activities around the World Boccia Championships in Rio de Janeiro providing pre, during
and post tournament coverage.
'Homecoming' event PR activity for athletes from Northern Ireland which successfully secured
media coverage.
The marketing, promotion and delivery of training courses and youth sport challenges.
Training and Education.. Disability Sport Nl delivered a range of training courses during the year, all
designed to give volunteers, coaches, teachers and leisure services staff the knowledge and skills
required to better include disabled people in sports and recreation opportunities. The charity also
delivered a number of education based sports challenges designed to increase understanding of
disability and challenge negative attitudes and misconceptions about disabled people. In total 63
courses were delivered to 1270 participants during the year. A breakdown of the varied type of courses
delivered is provided in the tsble below..
11

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Course
No. dellvered
No. of partlclpants
Autism in Sport
10
145
Boccia Leaders Award
39
Chair Based Activities
53
Disability Inclusion Training
126
Inclusive PE
213
Inciusive Skills and Games
131
Sight Loss in Sport
Teambuilding Challenge
14
Youth Sport Challenges
17
545
TOTAL
63
1270
Strategic Priority 5: Governance and Income Generation
To manage an effective, well governed organisation with the capacity to lead the development of
disability sport and active recreation in Northern Ireland.
Achievements
5.1 Governance: Disability Sport Nl continued to review and update its policies and procedures as
required during the year, maintaining its 'robust' level of a55urance from its main funder, Sport
Northern Ireland
5.2 Funding Uplift: Awelcome uplift in funding was also secured from Sport Nl forthe last two years
of the current 4 year 'core investment, funding package. This was to take account of the negative
impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the charity's ability to generate unrestricted income
from long established training services, access services and community fundraising initiatives over
the previous two years. The additional investment in the current 2022-23 financial year is £63,741
with a further additional investment of £78,777 provided for the next financial year12023-24).
5.3 Representation: Disability Sport Nl staff continued to positively Influen￿ relevant areas of policy
development and partnership working by representing the interests of disabled people in Northern
Ireland on the following key national organisations and committees during the year..
Active Living.. No Limits 2016-2021 Forum
British Paralympics Association National Paralympic Committee (Paralympics GB)
Boccia UK
12

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Home Nation Disability Sports Organisations, Chief Executive Officers Forum
HOW WE MEASURE SUCCESS
Imien developing its current strategic plan for the 2020-2024 period the charity decided to adopt the
performance management system recently adopted by public bodies in Northern Ireland. This system
of 'outcome-based accountability, {OBA) focuses on impact rather than simply on activity levels.
In line with this performance management system, we evaluate each area of our charity's work by using
three OBA questions..
> How much did we do?
> How well did we do it?
> Most importantly, is anyone better o
During the current 2022 - 23 financial year the charity used this OBA performance management system
to demonstrate its success by producing an annual impact report and a series of OBA based 'lnsight
Pieces, produced on an ongoing basis which focus on different areas of the charity's work. A range of
'Insight Pieces, and an annual impact report forthe year are available on the Disability Sport Nl website
www.dsni.co.uk
At the end of our 4-year strategic planning cycle we will also measure how our work has contributed to..
Our three strategic outcomes:
A more equal and inclusive society, where more disabled people participate, compete
and excel in sport and active recreation at a level of their choice,
The improved health and wellbeing of disabled people,
Equality of access for disabled people to participate in sport and active recreation.
> The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport,
> The 'Active Living No Limits 2016-2021, Action Plan.. A plan to improve health and well-being
for people with a disability in Northern Ireland through participation in sport and active
recreation,
> The Northern Ireland Programme for Government outcomes framework.
VOLUNTEERS
As the charity built back its full range of programmes following almost two years of COVID-19 related
disruption and restrictions, the organisation increasingly recruited volunteers during the year to
support the delivery of its programmes. Indeed by the end of the year 82 volunteers had contributed a
total of 1420 hours to the work of the charity. This involved a contribution from three types of
volunteers as explained below-
Trustees and Honorary Presidents: 14 volunteers with a range of individual skills required to
effectively oversee the governance and strategic direction of the charity.
Regular Volunteers.. 52 volunteers who regularly help the charity deliver its range of local community
sport and active recreation programmes as well as its wheelchair basketball and boccia competition
programmes.
13

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
Casual Volunteers: 16 volunteers who helped the charity organise and deliver its community events
programmes by supporting the organisation and delivery of one-off community sports competitions.
The above figures included 17 new volunteers recruited through a specific volunteer leadership
programme which was successfully organised early in the year to meet a demand for volunteers from
clubs rebuilding their programmes following the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Disability Sport Nl would like to thank its volunteers for the very important and valuable contribution
they continue to make to its ongoing work. The charity simply could not carry out its full range of
programmes and activities without the commitment and dedication of its team of volunteers.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The detailed financial results for the year ended 31st March 2023 are set out in the Financial Statements
that accompany this report.
Sources of Funding
The principal source of funding is Sport Nl, with funding provided to support the charity's core work and
performance sport programmes.
Other sources of income include:
Grants, sponsorship and donations from other organisations, corporate partners and individual
donors,
Training, education, and access & inclusion programmes,
Participant fees and rental income,
Administration and overhead support from Live Active Nl.
Income
Total incoming resources in the period were £847,145 (2022-. £699,816). This includes unrestricted
income of £581,766 (2022: £495,198) and restricted income of £265,379 (2022.. £204,618).
Expenditure
Total resources expended in the period were £810,395 (2022.. £718,845). The cost of charitable
activities amounted to £810,032 (2022: £718,260) and the cost of raising funds amounted to £363 (2022=
£585).
Net Movement in Funds
Net incoming resources in the period were £36.750 (2022.. £19,029 incoming). Before transfers between
funds, this represents a net increase in unrestricted funds of £87,633 (2022- £38,854 increase) and a
net decrease in restricted funds of £50,883 {2022,- £57,883 decrease).
At the end of the reporting period, £1,638 was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds to offset
the deficits created by several projects.
Total charity funds carried forward at 31st March 2023 amounted £397,662 (2022.. £360,912).
The balance held in unrestricted funds at the year-end was £388,124 {2022.' £302,129). This includes
14

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
£188,174 that can only be realised by disposing of tangible fixed assets. The Board has designated
£86,707 of the charity's unrestricted funds to support the development of the All-out Trekking
programme at Gosford Country Park over the next 1-2 years, the delivery ofthe Northern Ireland Boccia
League in 2023-24 and other community activities and events.
The restricted fund balance at the year-end was £9,538 (2022-. £58,783). This includes £2,084 relating
to the depreciation value of capital equipment and will be released each year in line with the
organisations depreciation policy.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of Disability Sport Nl to maintain free reserves which match the needs of the organisation,
both at the current time and in the foreseeable future. This provides sufficient funds to cover running
costs which include management, administration and support costs. Free reserves are those
unrestricted reserves, not designated nor invested in fixed assets, which are available for general use.
At the end of the reporting period, the charity held free reserves of £113,243 {2022.. £71,420).
Principal Financial Risks and Uncertainties
As part of its strategy to manage risk, Disability Sport Nl maintains a Corporate Risk Register. With
support from the senior management team, the register is maintained by the Chief Executive and is
updated on an ongoing basis in line with the organisation's Risk Management Policy. The register is
reviewed, as a standing agenda item, at all Board meetings. This ensures newly identified risks, and
changes to existing risk, are promptly addressed to mitigate the detrimentsl impact that such matters
may have on the financial resources available and increase the likelihood of the charity achieving its
aims and objectives.
The main financial risks listed on the risk register at the end of the 2022-2023 financial year were as
follows-
A reliance on Sport Nl funding",
Cash Flow: need to maintain adequate levels of cash reserves to account for unexpected reductions
in funding.
These risks have been managed by:
Securing an uplift in funding from Sport Nl for the last years of the current 4 year 'core
investment, funding package i.e. covering the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial periods. This was to
take account of the negative impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the charity's ability to
generate unrestricted income from long established training services, access ServI￿S and
community fundraising initiatives over the previous two years;
Careful financial management and an ongoing focus on achieving annual budgets with a net surplus
in unrestricted funds which has resulted in a strong cash flow position.
15

DISABILITY SPORT NI LTD
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors Report)
Year ended 31 March 2023
TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law. are responsible for preparing the
trustees, report and the financial statements in accordan￿ with applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently-
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP.,
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Auditor
Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that=
so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is
unaware., and
they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware ofthat information.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the
small companies exemption.
The trustees, annual report was approved on 61h December 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by:
rick Marsha
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