Month: September 2017

Visual Impairment Sports Day

We are delighted to provide an opportunity for people across Scotland with visual impairments to try a variety of sports. This fantastic opportunity is open to everyone over 10 years old and will take place at Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow on Saturday 11th November 2017 in partnership with RNIB, British Blind Sport, Haggeye, Guide Dogs Scotland, FABB Scotland, Visibility, the Scottish FA, JudoScotland, Scottish Swimming and scottishathletics.

This event provides anyone living with a visual impairment with the opportunity to try a wide range of sports, and there is no cost to attend.

Scottish Disability Sport Regional Managers will be on hand on the day to raise awareness and support participants to get involved in their chosen sport in their local area. If you would like to have a chat about the event please do not hesitate to contact us.

All participants will have the opportunity to try the following sports: athletics, bowls, cycling, football, goalball, judo, swimming and tennis.

If you have a visual impairment or know someone with a visual impairment that would like to get involved in sport and would like to attend, please register by completing the form (download below), telephoning Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130, email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or book online here. If you have any questions or concerns at all please get in touch.

Visual Impairment Sports Day Registration Pack

Matthew and Cerys with their trophies

Woodmill Fife Champions for Third Year

Woodmill HS swimmers made it three Russell Hogg Trophy wins in a row and five wins in six years at the 39th Fife Inter Schools Gala for pupils with Additional Support Needs organised by Disability Sport Fife at Lochgelly HS on Thursday 28th September.

Lochgelly HS swimmers finished in second place, 19 points behind the winners and one point ahead of third placed Madras College. Balwearie HS, Levenmouth Academy, Glenrothes HS, Bell Baxter HS and Queen Anne HS finished in 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

Cerys Venter-Scott from Dunfermline HS and Mathew Blair from Woodmill HS were awarded individual trophies as top girl and top boy at the 2017 Gala. Cerys set a new Fife 100m Individual Medley time of 1.28.19 lowering the time set by Rebecca Lee from Balwearie HS back in 1995 by almost 10 seconds. Cerys then swam 39.16 for 50m backstroke lowering the record time set by Paralympian Tracy Wiscombe from Balwearie HS back in 1993 by almost 5 seconds. Cerys rounded off her outstanding day with a butterfly win and a new Fife Schools record time of 1.21.78 for 100m freestyle. Mathew was the leading Fife male swimmer for 50m backstroke, 25m butterfly and 50m Freestyle. Arran Howe from Bell Baxter HS won the 100m freestyle in a new Fife record time.

The relays were as always closely contested and very exciting. Balwearie HS girls won their relay for the first time since 2010, finishing ahead of Madras College/Bell Baxter HS and Lochgelly HS. Madras College halted a Woodmill HS run of four wins in a row with a spectacular win in the boys relay. This was their first win in the 39 year history of the Gala. Woodmill HS and Levenmouth Academy finished second and third respectively. Eight teams were entered for the boys relay, the highest number to date.

Disability Sport Fife will now select the Fife team from the results recorded at the Inter Schools Gala to compete at the Scottish Junior Swimming Championships organised by Scottish Disability Sport at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre on Wednesday 22nd November.

 

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Group photo of Woodmill High School pupils

Tayside’s Howgate Rounds Off Successful Season

Tayside athlete, Freya Howgate finished her most successful season in athletics with victory at the 2017 Cerebral Palsy Sport National Athletics Championships in Nottingham. The Perth Strathtay Harriers athlete has soared from personal best to personal best this season, culminating in 4 gold medals at the CP Sport event. Freya was awarded gold medals in the T37 100m, shot put, discus and javelin events. Alongside this, Freya was awarded Under 20 Athletic Series 2017 Winner for Female Field. The Kilgraston School pupil is a shining example of hard work and dedication to her sport and is a role model for many younger athletes starting their athletics journey.

Jim Hunter, President and Coach at Perth Strathtay Harriers was very proud of Freya’s performance across the competition and season:

“Freya was a youngster when she joined the club and this has been her most successful season in both track and field. Adjusting her training plans has paid dividends. Freya has chipped away at her personal bests across the season and is consistently developing. Freya is a very dedicated athlete, training multiple times a week and balancing this alongside her studies. She is a great ambassador for Perth Strathtay Harriers.”

Photo courtesy of Morris Fox

Para Athletics Day Heading to Scottish Borders

Have you been inspired by performances at the recent World Para Athletics Championships? Are you interested in trying a new sport?

Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group (SBDSG) are working with a host of key partners including Live Borders, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics to deliver a Para Athletics ‘taster session’ for all individuals with a physical, learning or sensory impairment.

This session will provide the opportunity for all individuals interested in athletics the chance to experience all elements of the sport – running, jumping, throwing and wheelchair racing. The session will be supported by coaches who are experienced in the sport and will provide a relaxed and friendly environment for attendees to learn and develop new skills.

Details of the session can be found below –
Date: Saturday 28th October
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Tweedbank Sports Complex, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3RS

To register for this opportunity, please contact Alan Oliver (Sports Development Officer, Live Borders) on 01750 700 110 / 0788 747 1137 or aoliver@liveborders.org.uk. To download the flyer for the event, please click here.

Coaching Opportunity – Inclusive Athletics Workshop

In addition to the Development Day, there will also be an opportunity for all interested coaches and volunteers to attend a 3 hour Inclusive Athletics Workshop from 10am – 1pm at Tweedbank Sports Complex. A flyer can be downloaded here.

This workshop will enable participants to have a better understanding in the following areas of Para Athletics –

  • Focusing on ability rather than disability
  • Supporting the inclusion of people with a disability into athletics
  • Effective communication
  • Influence and deliver good practice
  • Increase knowledge in specific areas of Para Athletics, including wheelchair racing
  • National & International Classification
  • Competition pathways within disability sport

It is encouraged that participants should have an interest in working with athletes with a disability and all attendees will be invited to attend the Development Day in the afternoon, providing an opportunity to put these skills into practice. There will be no charge associated to this course.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Shona Malcolm (Disability Athletics Development Officer, Scottish Athletics) on 0131 539 7348 or shonamalcolm@scottishathletics.org.uk.

Central Parasport Festival 2017

We are delighted to announce details for the upcoming Central Parasport Festival 2017

Date:   Wednesday 25th October 2017

Time:  10.00am – 2.45pm (9:30am arrival and registration)

Venue: The Peak, Stirling FK8 1QZ

This festival is targeting pupils within a mainstream school setting in the Central area, with a physical, visual or hearing disability aged between P1 – S6. The key impact of the event is to provide a multisport opportunity to these pupils, identify talented individuals within specific sports, alongside channelling pupils onto local, regional clubs/ programmes. We would like to welcome back all pupils who have attended in the past, alongside engaging new pupils to attend for their first experience. We will also have performance athletes attend on the day for an inspiring Q and A session.  Please see promotional video from last years East Parasport festival by clicking on the link   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzP4sztaDY.

Booking information

Please read and complete the Central Parasport Festival 2017 Letter and Consent form, with a closing date of Wednesday 4th October (please return forms directly to Cheryl Willet – Central SDS RDM).

Please click here for the online Consent Form

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:

Cheryl Willet SDS Central RDM on cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577830360

Successful Launch of Central GOGA for All Swim Sessions

Sunday 24th September saw 17 enthusiastic individuals attend the launch of the Central GOGA for All swimming sessions at Stirling University pool.

Strong partnerships between Get Out Get Active, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming, as well as support from our superb coaches and volunteers, enabled a structured and enjoyable session for all who attended.

The Central GOGA for All swimming sessions are available to all individuals within the Forth Valley area and run on a monthly basis – details below.

Event: Central GOGA for All Swimming Opportunity

Venue: Stirling University Pool

Dates: Sunday 15th October, 26th November 2017, 18th February, 18th March, 15th April, 20th May 2018

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Aim of Event: To give opportunity for individuals with physical, learning and sensory disability to take part in free swimming session

 

To find out more about these sessions and to book a place please contact Eva Finlayson (GOGA Lead Officer) on  goga@fvds.org.uk or 07761 031 982 or for information on disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact Cheryl Willet on  cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com  or 07577 830 360.

Sammi and Richard on stage with their awards

Sammi Kinghorn’s impressive track record sees her named 2017 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year

Following an outstanding season that saw her break World and European records, triple World Para-Athletics Championships medallist Sammi Kinghorn added to her accolades as she lifted the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy as 2017 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year, at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in Edinburgh on Thursday.

With a host of sporting stars, including medallists from the recent Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in attendance, the evening was an inspirational celebration of their outstanding achievements, as well as the success of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole of Scottish sport.

The first para-sport athlete to take the top award of Scottish Sportsperson of the Year in its 15 year history, Sammi’s name joins past winners such as Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray and Dame Katherine Grainger on the trophy. After missing the podium at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the past year has seen Sammi on a phenomenal rise to the top of her sport, securing her first global titles. An inspiring culmination of her journey since the accident which left her paralysed at the age of 14, she broke her own World record to take gold over 200m at the World Para-Athletics Championships in London, going on to take a second gold in the 100m and bronze in the 400m. Since then her focus has turned to the road, coming second in her debut half marathon at the Great North Run, in a bid to gain selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the marathon as well as the T53/54 1500m on the track.

Sammi said: “When you see yourself up against great athletes like Danii Joyce and Gordon Reid, you don’t expect to win. It’s amazing to even be thought of as one of the best para-sport athletes in Scotland but to actually win is incredible and then to win Scottish Sportsperson of the Year as well, that’s something I never thought of. To hold the trophy and Andy Murray’s name is on it and all the greats of Scottish sport, knowing that your name is going to be there too is really special.

“I don’t think there’s been a para athlete that’s won it in the past, so be to be the first is pretty cool. It means the world to me to have my family and friends here tonight. To have the people there who have stood by you through all the hard times and all the good times, and to know that they’ll always be there for you, that’s really special.”

There was additional success for Scottish Disability Sport on the evening with Richard Brickley MBE named as Volunteer of the Year for his work in disability sport at a local and national level. Richard received his award from rugby legend Gavin Hastings OBE and commenting on his award said; “Thank you to SDS and of course to everybody in Disability Sport Fife and our partners whom I have the privilege of working with throughout the year. We have a very special organisation populated by very special people and supported by many great agencies”.

Sammi’s success came on a superb night for Athletics with double European Indoor Champion Laura Muir named Female Athlete of the Year and her coach Andy Young lifting the Coach of the Year award. Scottish Athletics also took the award for Sport Governing Body of the Year for the second year in succession, with record numbers selected for the World Championships, 120,000 athletes competing in permit events and great strides made in inclusion, propelling them to the title.

Duncan Scott’s gold and silver medal winning performances in the relays at the World Swimming Championships, along with magnificent swims for fourth and fifth place in his individual freestyle events, gave him the nod for Male Athlete of the Year over a strong shortlist which included 2016 winner Sir Andy Murray.

The Murray family did have an award winner however, with Judy Murray OBE named Team Scot of the Year in recognition of her relentless drive for equality in sport and an active lifestyle for all children. Behind the successful ‘Miss Hits’ and ‘She Rallies’ programmes to encourage female participation and leadership in Tennis, she is a powerful advocate for sport at all levels and the continuing need for investment.

There was a huge reception for boxer Josh Taylor, a popular winner of Sporting Moment of the Year, whose stunning win over the previously unbeaten Ohara Davies to defend his Commonwealth Title belt, was the moment that captured the heart of the nation and majority of the public vote.

Scotland’s leading points scorer of his generation, Rugby legend Gavin Hastings OBE was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding playing career which saw him win 61 caps, including 20 as captain, and a wealth of charity and fundraising work since retirement from the international game. In contrast, just beginning his own career at 18 years old, World and European Junior Canoe Sprint champion Leuan James was the winner of the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy as Young Athlete of the Year.

The Scotland Women’s Football national side took Team of the Year reflecting their successful Euro 2017 qualifying campaign which saw them win seven of their eight games and take their place at their first ever major international championship. There was also a Special Recognition Award for Celtic Football Club following their historic season which saw them unbeaten in domestic competition, winning the fourth treble in their history and becoming the first team to go an entire Scottish top-flight league season without a defeat since 1899. Drumchapel Community Sports Hub and Active East’s Scottish Sports Futures took the Community Hub, Club or School and Games Legacy awards respectively.

There was also big news for golf fans, as Catriona Matthew MBE was announced as the European Team captain for the 2019 Solheim Cup.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Following the launch of these awards in their new format last year, tonight’s event has raised the bar once again, as we celebrate what has been a truly outstanding year for Scottish sport.

“A huge thank you to our partners and sponsors, whose support has made this fantastic event possible and enables us to properly recognise the achievements of the individuals, teams and organisations that help to put Scotland on the sporting map.

“Looking forward, the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games are now just five months away, where many of these athletes will be aiming for medals. I wish them all the best with their final preparations and I am quite sure we will be celebrating their achievements this time next year.”

Over 500 people joined the celebrations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, where the evening was hosted by award winning TV presenter Hazel Irvine and comedian Fred MacAulay, with funds raised for the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust.

2017 AWARD WINNERS

  • Scottish Sportsperson of the Year – Emirates Lonsdale Trophy: Sammi Kinghorn, Para-Athletics
  • Male Athlete of the Year – sponsored by Brand Oath: Duncan Scott, Swimming
  • Female Athlete of the Year – sponsored by The Scottish Sun: Laura Muir, Athletics
  • Para-Sport Athlete of the Year – sponsored by CGI: Sammi Kinghorn, Para-Athletics
  • Team of the Year – sponsored by PSL / Canterbury: Scotland Women’s Football
  • Coach of the Year – sponsored by University of Stirling: Andy Young, Athletics
  • Sporting Moment of the Year – sponsored by Glasgow 2018 European Championships: Josh Taylor defends his Commonwealth Title belt against England’s Ohara Davies
  • Young Athlete of the Year – Sir Peter Heatly Trophy, sponsored by City Legacy Homes: Ieuan James, Canoe Sprint
  • Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Eden Mill: Richard Brickley MBE, Disability Sport
  • Governing Body of the Year – sponsored by Edinburgh International Conference Centre: Scottish Athletics
  • Community Hub, Club or School of the Year – sponsored by sportscotland: Drumchapel Community Sports Hub
  • Games Legacy Award –sponsored by Legacy 2014 / City Legacy Homes: Active East – Scottish Sports Futures
  • Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Gavin Hastings OBE, Rugby
  • Team Scot of the Year – sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments: Judy Murray OBE, Tennis
  • Special Recognition Award – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Celtic Football Club

North Lanarkshire Boccia Sessions

New fun boccia sessions are beginning for all individuals with physical and learning disabilities. If you are looking to get more active and meet new friends, these sessions could be for you!

  • All ages and abilities welcome
  • No previous experience required
  • Equipment will be provided

The sessions will take place at St Maurice’s High School, North Road, Cumbernauld G68 9AG from 5.00pm on Thursday 26th October.

For more information contact 01236 757657 ext 5256 or email mackayk@northlan.gov.uk / joergensenn@northlan.gov.uk.

Pan Disability Boccia Sessions Flyer

Could you be the next Paralympic Champion?

Paratriathlon made its Paralympic debut at the Rio Games in 2016, with the British team winning a whopping four medals.  British Triathlon are looking to build on that success at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and to do this are looking to find new and exciting Paralympic talent.

The Tri4Tokyo Talent Identification programme is on the hunt for athletes who will be able to challenge the best in Britain and, in time, the best in the World. Paratriathlon is a dynamic and demanding sport, with the successful athletes needing to be dedicated and hard working.

Full information can be found on the British Triathlon website here.

West of Scotland Schools Boccia

In partnership with the West of Scotland Schools Association, SDS ran the Schools Boccia Championships on Tuesday 19th September at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Sixty-one pupils from across seven Local Authorities competed, with some excellent play from all participants. We hope the pupils enjoyed the day and well done to everyone involved.

Medal winners are:

Physical Disability – A1
Gold: Taylor McTaggart, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow
Silver: Adil Akbar, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Katelyn Stephen, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow

Physical Disability – A2
Gold: Saad Shakeel, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow
Silver: Jason Walters, Paisley Grammar, Renfrewshire
Bronze: Nathan Keenan, Kelbourne Park, Glasgow

Physical Disability – Ramp players
Gold: Fraser Somerville, Mearns Castle, East Renfrewshire
Silver: Amandeep Kambo, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Kevin Murphy, Park School, East Ayrshire

Learning Disability
Gold: Hayden Keir, Annan Academy, Dumfries & Galloway
Silver: Fiona Faichnie, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Calum Thomson, Hollybrook, Glasgow

SDS’s Coaching Futures Apprentice Boccia Coach Lewis McConnell and Scottish Squad players Reegan Stevenson and Ross Munro were on hand to offer advice to the students from Ayrshire College who were officiating on the day.  Thanks to all of them who did a great job.

Thanks also goes to the Celtic FC Foundation’s ‘Inspiring Sport’ project who funded the event, and to the Emirates Arena for hosting and their help on the day.

Additionally, through the Big Lottery there will be weekly boccia sessions taking place in North Lanarkshire and Glasgow starting October so please get in touch for more information if interested.