Month: June 2017

Double Gold in USA for Beth Johnston

Borders Swimmer Beth Johnston continued her excellent development over the weekend, claiming double gold at the penultimate event in the World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA.  The series event was held at Indianapolis University Natatorium and was open to swimmers with a disability who met the relevant qualifying standards, with Scottish Swimming supporting a team of four young athletes to travel and compete.

https://www.paralympic.org/swimming/world-series-2017

The Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) youngster secured gold in the S10 100m Backstroke (1:18.50) and S10 50m Freestyle (32.45), holding off competition from swimmers from all over America as well as a host of other countries from across the world.  Beth highlighted this, stating, “it was a great experience, one I will never forget.  To be given the chance to compete against Americans, Canadians and Australians doesn’t happy every day!”  The 15 year old from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders also competed in the woman’s S10 100m Freestyle, finishing second in a time of 1:10.23.  Johnston, the only para swimmer on the BEST programme, is obviously flourishing under the guidance of Head Coach Lauryn Jocelyn leading to her standing as one of Scotland’s brightest prospects.

These results continue to build on times achieved earlier in 2017, after the former Scottish Disability Sport Academy athlete broke the Scottish record at the recent British Para Swimming International Meet in Sheffield for the S10 Backstroke (1:18.66).  Additionally, Beth claimed another record at the Scottish Disability Sport National Championships in April this year for the 50m Backstroke (36.50).

The Galashiels Academy pupil is currently part of the British Swimming Para Academy Squad and is also targeting next year’s Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast with Tokyo 2020 also very much on the horizon.

Right On Target Open Boccia Competition Hits the Mark Again!

For the fifth year running the Right On Target Boccia Club offered a warm invite to boccia players with physical and learning disabilities to their competition.  Once again the event attracted 70 players from across the length and breadth of Scotland to compete across five categories.

The annual competition is an excellent introduction to competition for new players and provides much needed competition to existing players. Both players and officials can hone their playing and officiating skills and learn from others in a supportive environment. The players come together to compete but also to meet their boccia friends, encourage each other and be part of the growing boccia community.

The standard was high throughout the day with medals being closely contested in all groups. Yvonne Widd, Right On Target Chairperson, said: “We would like to thank clubs, parents, carers, players and volunteer officials for making today a great success. The event continues to grow each year and we look forward to seeing more people come along to compete next year.”

If you or anyone you know lives in Forth Valley or surrounding areas and would like to get involved in boccia please contact the Club Head Coach Jean Duncan by telephoning 07970 153 103 or email jeanmd50@gmail.com.

For a full list of results please see below:

RESULTS

Junior Throwers with a Physical Disability 
Winner: Fraser Johnstone, Forth Valley Right On Target Boccia Club
Runner Up: Alex Medley, Dundee Boccia Club
Third Place: Tyler McLelland, Disability Sport Fife

Players Using Assistive Devices
Winner: Hannah Craig, Dundee Boccia Club
Runner Up: Sean McCann, East of Scotland Boccia Club
Third Place: Aaryn Widd, Forth Valley Right On Target Boccia Club

Senior Throwers with a Physical Disability
Winner: Ross Munro, West of Scotland Squad
Runner Up: Reegan Stevenson, West of Scotland Squad
Third Place: Callum Glasgow, Forth Valley Right On Target Boccia Club

Junior Players with a Learning Disability
Winner: Michael Gilhooly, Kirkriggs School
Runner Up: Kaitlin Dow, Kirkriggs School
Third Place: Cameron Miller, Dundee Boccia Club

Senior Players with a Learning Disability
Winner: Darren Rooney, Forth Valley Right On Target Boccia Club
Runner Up: Christian Mason, Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport
Third Place: Scott Bruce, Lothian Special Olympics

Callum Sloan with coach Pamela Robson after the marathon

YPSP – Callum Sloan’s London Mini Marathon 2017

London is one of the biggest and coolest cities in the world. It also hosts one of the biggest events on the athletics and sporting calendar, The London Marathon.

Of course being fourteen years old I’m not able to do the 26.2 mile course, so instead I do the London Mini Marathon which is 3 miles. It starts from Old Billingsgate and finishes at the main marathon finish line on The Mall.

This year was my third year doing the Mini Marathon and after a less than impressive performance last year where I finished 3 minutes off my Personal Best (24.14) in a brand new racing wheelchair, I was out to have fun and push well but also for a little bonus, to beat my PB. I always feel that it goes too quickly because I love taking in all the atmosphere of the crowd and racing past some of the most iconic landmarks in London. I didn’t rush off at the start because I knew if I did then I might not have enough in me to really push it for the last mile so I tucked nicely into the pack and let all the older, stronger and faster boys go past me (the boys race and the girls race were set off at different times).

Coming out of Blackfriars and up the hill I decided to pick up the pace a bit more. I passed a few other racers until I came to someone who was so competitive. They decided to start cutting in front of me and forcing me to slam my brakes. They kept on doing it so when the opportunity came I put a nice move round the outside coming up to Westminster. At this point I honestly felt like Lewis Hamilton winning the Formula 1 World Championship just because I was so happy to make such a move in this race. After that I just kept a cool head and focused on crossing the finishing line because at the end of the day that was the most important thing.

Once I came off the final corner I was almost crying (happy crying, but luckily I didn’t) because I looked up to see the clock at just over 20 minutes so I pushed with all that I had left in me to make sure I could make it to the end. Honestly I think that point was actually the most nerve-racking moment of the whole race for me because I could see what time I was setting so I was trying so hard to make sure I didn’t just stop right at the line unable to finish. At last I crossed the line and immediately after felt a huge sense of relief that I had done it. I had completed my third and best London Mini Marathon yet!!!

Afterwards in the cool down tent, where all the racers gathered, I was trying not to shout in delight knowing that I had finished. I didn’t know the time but at this point but I was pretty sure I had beat my PB  (I knew it didn’t take me four and a half minutes to do 250 metres or so!) When my coach Pamela and my mum came to congratulate me they could see the delight on my face and so could all my family and friends. Oh by the way, my medal was awesome as well!!!

Sitting in the airport waiting for my flight home the London Mini Marathon times had officially been released. My time was 21.25, three minutes off my PB and six minutes off last year’s time!!! I was so happy and relieved to finally have confirmation that I had beat my PB! But the next day at school was harder than usual just because of how tired I was due to all the adrenaline the previous day.

Overall it was awesome and a great experience. Not many fourteen year olds can say they have run (or wheeled) the streets of London. After beating my PB as well, that was the highlight of what was a great London Mini Marathon.

CALLUM SLOAN 14 YEARS OLD

Dunfermline, Fife

Queen’s Birthday Honours for Scots

The Queen’s birthday honours list has been revealed and it includes numerous Scots, including two who have been recognised for their contribution to disability sport.

Laura Smith has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for services to Disability Sport. Laura is the Development Officer (Disabilities) with Angus Alive and has been instrumental in supporting sport for people with disabilities in Angus for many years.

Laura is also an active volunteer with Special Olympics and is the current Chair of Special Olympics Scotland. She has also been involved with Special Olympics GB for over 20 years leading the GB team to the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2015.

Paralympian, Angie Malone was also among those honoured by the Queen being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to Wheelchair Curling. Angie’s achievements in the sport of wheelchair curling are considerable including a World Championships gold medal in 2005, followed by a silver in 2011, a Winter Paralympic Games silver medal in 2006 and bronze as recently as 2014.

Angie was also a member of the Scottish rink that won the bronze medal in the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in 2017 and next year will be a member of the ParalympicsGB team competing at the Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang. This will be Angie’s fourth Winter Paralympic Games.

 

SDS would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Laura and Angie on these well-deserved honours.

Red Star Athletic Club logo

Red Star Track and Field Championships 2017

On Saturday 17th June, around 150 athletes descended on Crownpoint for Red Star’s Annual Athletics Championships.  Participants travelled from as far afield as Aberdeen and Dumfries & Galloway, which is great to see and they were welcomed by a dry and sunny day.

As well as the numerous first time competitors which is fantastic to see, there were also a number of Scotland’s top athletes in Nathan Fleetwood, Gavin Drysdale and Jo Butterfield MBE to name a few.

The event had been verified by Special Olympics GB so many participants were competing for times/distances that then go towards their Special Olympics entry for the Summer Games in Sheffield in August 2017.

There were some great performances on the day and some very close fought races – congratulations to everyone who competed.

Thanks goes to Scottish Athletics for their support, all volunteers and helpers, Crownpoint staff, and all parents/carers who brought athletes along and supported.

For more information on Red Star Athletics club please contact Janice Eaglesham on Janice.eaglesham@btinternet.com

See below for results

Red Star 2017 Field Results

Red Star 2017 Track Results

Janice Eaglesham MBE

2017 Fife Lawn Bowls Championships

The Beveridge Park Bowling Club in Kirkcaldy played host once again to the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) Lawn Bowls Championships on Friday 16th June. The Championships were first held in 1976 at the Lynebank Hospital in Dunfermline but the Beveridge Park has been the traditional home for over 30 years. Math Thomson, Vice President of the club handed over the green to DSF at 10 30 for a full day singles play for bowlers with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Wendy Thomson from East Fife CSS and St Andrews BC defeated Michelle Wallace from Central Fife CSS to win the women’s open title for players with a learning disability. Both players are previous Scottish Champions. Scottish Champion Darryl Stewart from Cowdenbeath won the men’s open title with an 8-3 win over Gary Handyside from West Fife CSS.

There was a strong representation of bowlers from Dovecot BC and first to win a title was Robert Anderson who defeated Wullie Christie from East Fife CSS and Windygates BC in the B section final. Next up was Sandy Allan from Dovecot BC who defeated Robert McMahon from Central Fife CSS to take the C section title. Fergus Wilson from West Fife CSS and Lumphinans BC won the D section title with a convincing win over David Scott from East Fife CSS.

Fresh from international competition in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, Billy Allan from Cowdenbeath retained the Fife mixed open title for physically disabled bowlers with Mary Wilson and Sam Smeaton from the Abbeyview Club sharing runners up spot. Stuart Chesby from Dunfermline won his first Fife Lawn Bowls title with wins over Eleanor Clark, Kenny Dow and Wullie Harrison.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Josie Scoops High Life Highland Volunteer Award

For the last 14 years Josie Aitken has been a tremendous influence within the disability sporting sector with her drive and enthusiasm.

She was one of the founding members of the Disability Inverness Sports Club (DISC) an affiliated group of Highland Disability Sport which she still runs weekly today with a small band of volunteers. She was Chairperson of the Scottish Down Syndrome Society (Highland) prior to that and found that sport was better for her daughter Laura who has Down Syndrome to be involved in.

Since 2003 Josie has also helped establish the Highland Disability Swim Team where Laura regularly trains. Both are now embarking on their 4th Special Olympics which take place every 4 years and will be held this year in Sheffield.

Thanks to Josie’s fundraising skills and endeavours, the swim group are able to cover the costs of travel and accommodation of all their swimmers and coaches. Josie also organises a Christmas Disco for all the disability groups with people travelling from as far away as Caithness to attend, such is the popularity of it.

She regularly organises nights out to Rollerbowl for the swimmers which is a great team builder for the group and recently organised a Fashion Show fundraiser for the swimmers.

 

These are just a few of the things that Josie involves herself in and we believe that there are a lot more but she is too modest to tell. Congratulations Josie.