News and Media

Press Releases

Changes to UK Registration System

The UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability (UKSA), together with its member organisations have been reviewing the basis on which UK registrations are granted to athletes in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

The objective of the review was to develop the UK system to more closely mirror that of International Registration (INAS-FID) thereby making the system a more objective and robust system of eligibility registration.

At is May 2008 meeting, the Board of Directors of UKSA considered feedback from its Eligibility Committee, member organisations and others, and agreed to incorporate evidence of an IQ score into the criteria for UK Registration. IQ evidence will become a mandatory requirement from 1st January 2009.

Summary of Eligibility Criteria for UK Registration from 1st January 2009

a) Evidence of IQ - to show significant impairment in intellectual functioning as indicated by a full scale score of 75 or lower on an internationally recognized and professionally administered IQ test, the British Ability Scales or SON-R.
b) Evidence of limitations in adaptive behaviour or social adaptation - a measure of how learning disability affects both daily life and the ability to respond to life changes and environmental demands.
c) Evidence of Age of Onset pre 18 - must be able to show that the learning disability was evident before person was 18 years old. Notes on Evidence

Where IQ evidence is not already available, UKSA has agreed that it will accept IQ evidence from the SON-R test. The successful research into SON-R IQ testing carried out by Loughborough University and supported in a pilot test by Mencap Sport has demonstrated that SON-R is a fully validated short form test that can be delivered more quickly and more cost effectively than some other IQ tests. Home Country Associations will make arrangements for athletes to take a SON-R IQ test where needed.

A revised application form and guidance notes, together with full details of all acceptable evidence will be published by UKSA in due course.

Summary of Way Forward

  1. 1. From now until 31st December 2008, the UKSA Home Country Associations of Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sports NI, Mencap Sport for England and Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disability will review existing UK registrations for athletes from their country. Where evidence of IQ is already present, no re-testing will be required. Where evidence of IQ is absent, testing will be required
  2. 2. All UK athletes currently registered on the "National" system will be required to "Re- Register" from 1st January 2009. From that date, all registrations issued on the old system (yellow registration cards) will be invalid.
  3. 3. The current "yellow" registration cards will remain in use until 31st December 2008 and athletes may continue to register on this system until that date.
  4. 4. There will continue to be one UK Registration system covering all four countries. One form and one set of evidential requirements. A central database of applications and eligible athletes will continue to be maintained by UKSA.
  5. 5. All applications for registration will be submitted by the athlete in the first instance to their relevant Home Country Association. Once endorsed by the Home Country, it will be submitted to UKSA. UKSA will check and verify eligibility, and if eligibility is confirmed, issue a new UK Registration card.
  6. 6. All applications for registration will be required to reach UKSA at least 4 weeks in advance of the closing date of any competition at which UK Registration is required.
  7. 7. Home Country Associations and other Organisations will be required to notify UKSA of events that will require UK Registration well in advance, preferably at the point event preparations commence.
  8. 8. IQ testing will be the responsibility of each Country to carry out and submit to UKSA.
  9. 9. A SON-R testing fee may apply.
  10. 10. A non-refundable registration fee of £5 per application is payable to UKSA.

UKSA extends its thanks to all those who have participated in and provided comment and feedback during the course of the review and looks forward to working with Home Country Associations and other Sports Bodies to implement these changes in the lead up to 2009.

All questions relating to the UK Registration System should be made in the first instance to UKSA at 1st Floor, 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London EC1V 2PU. Tel: 020 7490 3057, Fax: 020 7251 8861 or email info@uksportsassociation.org