Month: October 2017
Scottish Para-Badminton over Three Continents
The 26th-29th of October saw the first USA Para-Badminton International held in Colorado Springs where Scotland had three athletes participating across three sports classes.
Mary Wilson, representing the SL4 category, was doubly successful in the women’s SL3-SU5 singles category, securing a bronze after beating off two Japanese opponents in her group to reach the semi- finals. With SL3 and SL4 playing up a class, Mary, the only SL3/SL4 to reach the semi-finals, was also awarded a gold medal in the SL3/SL4 class for women’s singles.
Deirdre Nagle, representing SS6, medalled in both the women’s singles, beating the USA’s Colleen Gioffreda to the bronze medal, and securing a bronze in the mixed doubles partnering the USA’s Danh Trang.
Fiona Christie, representing WH2 in both women’s singles and doubles, had some extremely hard competition from Asia, with all matches being played against Koreans or Japanese. She had some close games and some tough losses.
For all results please see: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=4824B9C7-A38C-42B4-9A4B-7137964D57E7
Fraser Michie was also in action running the first Para-Badminton course in Cairo, Egypt for BWF with Spain’s Dina Abouzeid. The course ran for four days between 20th and 24th October, and saw them coaching and educating new athletes and coaches.
Kaity Hall was in Dubai running the second coaches’ workshop at the Dubai Club for Disabled between 23rd-25th October, with herself and Fraser Michie conducting the first course one year previously. She had over 25 new coaches from all over the UAE participating in the workshop. Dubai will be hosting their first Fazaa Para-Badminton International in April in which we hope to have Scottish Athletes competing.
Dubai Photo Credit: James Varghese
Central Parasport Festival 2017 – A Huge Success
The 2017 Central Parasport festival was a great success, seeing children with physical and sensory impairments taking part at the event held at The Peak, Stirling. Pupils from P1 – S6 in mainstream schools travelled from across Central Scotland to take part in a variety of sports such as Boccia, Tennis, Swimming, Athletics, Football, Bowls, Judo, Cycling, Goalball, wheelchair curling and Basketball delivered by local sports clubs, national coaches and GB athletes.
The event was a great triumph, hosted in the new venue of the Peak it offered new and exciting sports on the day. Strong partnerships from Forth Valley Disability Sport, Active Stirling, Falkirk Community Trust and Clackmannanshire Council supported the identification of pupils attending this years event. A workshop was also held by SDS Chair Janice Eaglesham for parents, P.E teachers and Active schools coordinators to gain additional insight into subjects such as disability inclusion, pathways and classification.
Inspirational speeches closed the event from local para athletes Meggan Dawson Farrell (2014 Commonwealth wheelchair racer) and Kevin Simpson (wheelchair tennis Paralympian). These athletes hoped to inspire the next generation of athletes from the Central belt.
Cheryl Willet (SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland) said: “The event was a great success and a worthwhile experience for not only many pupils engaging in sports they may never have tried before, but also their parents and teachers alike. The message is certainly getting out there that the pathway from participation to performance for athletes with a disability is in place within Central, from a local level to an international level. Most of all, it has been great to see so many pupils with a physical and sensory disability in mainstream schools engage in the sports, have fun, and potentially move up the pathway.
A special thank you Active Stirling for hosting this years event as well as Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Athletics, Tennis Scotland, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Cycling, RCCC, Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club, Basketball Scotland, Forth Valley Flyers, Falkirk indoor Bowling club, MXP Judo, SFA, Denny High School and McLaren High school senior pupils, sportscotland and the Peak for their support.
To find out more about this event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:
Cheryl Willet – cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360
Fife Athlete Sets Personal Best in Dublin
Disability Sport Fife (DSF) is delighted to report that inspirational athlete Susanne McGrath from Glenrothes has just completed her second wheelchair marathon of the year and for the first time in Dublin. To add to the celebrations Susanne completed the course in a personal best time of 3.35.
Along the way Susanne was cheered on by her Aunt Marie and her two friends. The “influential” banner they carried was the creation of family friend Geraldine Walsh from Dublin who ensured that all the arrangements for Susanne went smoothly on the day.
Susanne came to wheelchair racing late in her athletics career but has made amazing progress within a short period. Her father Eddie is never far away when she is training or competing and his support has been critical as her “enabler” and “fixer”. Eddie also completed the Dublin Marathon and has been encouraged and inspired by Susanne to follow her lead into distance running training and the occasional big event.
Susanne is a member of the DSF wheelchair racing squad that is coached by DSF lead athletics coach Pamela Robson. Recently the group was inspired by a visit to Fife from world champion Sammi Kinghorn and her coach Ian Mirfin MBE from Scottish Athletics.
Up until earlier this year Susanne trained in a racing wheelchair provided by Disability Sport Fife but that chair has now been returned to stock awaiting the next newcomer to the sport. Due to her own fundraising efforts, those of local fundraiser Neil Smart and a bursary from the Russell Hogg Trust, Susanne took possession earlier this year of her own bespoke Bromakin chair and she has not looked back since. Improvements in technique, higher levels of fitness and of course the new racing wheelchair have resulted in a finish to the season that she could only have dreamed of a couple of years ago. Well done Susanne an inspirational Fife athlete.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife
Curling for All – The Peak, Stirling
Curling for All at the Peak
Stirling Sports Village, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
For adults and youn gpeople witha range of disabilities. The cost is £3 for participants, one parent/carer/supporter friend joins in for free. Places are limited, booking is essential.
Wednesday 22nd November 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Wednesday 29th November 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Wednesday 6th December 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Open to people with physical, learning and sensory impairments, and autistic spectrum disorders. Traditional, stick or wheelchair curling available.
For more information and to book a place contact Helen Kallow, RCCC Disability Curling Development Officer, 0131 333 3003, helen@royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org.
Inclusive Skating Glides into Braehead, Glasgow
Have you the desire to learn how to skate, gliding over the Ice like Torvill and Dean? Well, now you can!
Intu Braehead Ice Rink is introducing a new open Inclusive Skating session every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am.
It will cost £8.50 for an inclusive skater and carer, and skate hire is included in the price.
If you are interested in this exciting new venture, head along to Braehead Ice Rink this weekend, or contact Margarita Sweeney-Baird on margarita.msb@gmail.com for more information on inclusive Skating.
Aberdeen Sports Awards 2017
Conner Morrison and Toni Shaw beat off strong competition to take home the Disability Sports Achiever of the Year & Junior Disability Sports Achiever of the Year awards respectively at this year’s Aberdeen Sports Awards held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
The swimmers, who train and compete with the University of Aberdeen Performance Swimming Team, are working their way up the British Swimming World Class programme and have aspirations of making Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as well as joining Team Scotland in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
Both Toni and Conner have worked exceptionally hard over the past few years and it certainly paid off when both athletes were selected for the GB Squad for this year’s World Para-Swimming Championships in Mexico.
Toni was shortlisted alongside Jack Caird, a wheelchair basketball player who was recently selected for the Scottish U15 Team, and Conner was shortlisted with Kerry Mathers, a RaceRunning athlete who recently took home bronze in the 100m RR3 final in the CPISRA RaceRunning World Championships held in Denmark.
Congratulations to all of our athletes who were nominated, shortlisted and award winners, and thank you to the Active Aberdeen Partnership who hosted the event.
Runners Up at Home Nations Test
The Scottish Para bowls team competed against England and Wales in the Home Nations tests series from the 27 – 29 October 2017. The format included B2/B3 Mixed Pair and B6/B7/B8 Open Triples, replicating that of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next year.
This was the final opportunity for the bowlers to put in a performance ahead of selections next month as competition for places are as fierce as they ever have been.
Although winning the competition was a goal for all players and coaches, it was deemed secondary to trialling player combinations and positions in order to inform our final selections. In this regard the competition was a huge success.
There were some excellent performances across the board, with the physically disabled triple only losing twice in eight matches. This highlighting the quality Scotland possess, with all six players competing well. The visually impaired players had a mixed competition, losing five from eight matches, however, there were some top performances throughout from all players and directors.
Although finishing runners up by a narrow margin wasn’t the result we were all looking for, the competition served a great purpose and was hugely beneficial. The individual and team performances has left all the coaches and selectors much to contemplate over the next few days as we draw closer to naming our Gold Coast 2018 team.
Scottish Disability Sport wishes to thanks all the players, directors and coaches for their hard work and dedication over the weekend.
Open Triples B6/B7/B8
Billy Allan
Mike Nicoll
Garry Brown
Martin Hunter
John Hughes
Michael Simpson
Mixed Pair B2/B3
Billy Edgar
Robert Barr
Maria Spencer
Irene Edgar
Directors
Christine Morrow
Ron McArthur
Grace Whitton
Sarah Jane Ewing
Coaches<
Bob Dick (Head Coach)
Bob Christie
Nigel Walker
Eric McMillan
Chris McGready
The Mixed Pair B2/B3, Directors and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 will be nominated to Commonwealth Games Scotland prior to the team being fully announced on the 30 November.
60 seconds with a Tayside athlete: Steven Key
Name: Steven Key
Branch: Perth & Kinross Disability Sport
Sport: Bowls
Club: Inchture Bowling Club
How did you get involved in your sport? Initially through a fun charity day. But since disability through SDS and Inchture who have helped me so much.
How long have you been playing your sport for? About 9 years able bodied then 1 year in a wheelchair.
Biggest Strength (as an athlete): Commitment, determination and the love of the game.
What’s the best thing about your sport? Anyone can take part. Also it’s a team sport and the competitive spirit of individual games
What equipment do you need to take part in your sport? 4 Bowls. Oh and in my case a wheelchair
Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the 2017 Lawn Bowls National Championships in Aberdeen.
Favourite Para-athlete: Tough question, but I suppose Billy Allan for his commitment to the sport.
Favourite athlete to compete against: Anyone really.
Any advice for someone interested in your sport? Try it and you will love it. It’s not an old persons’ game as the myths say.
Para Bowlers set for Home Nations Test
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for para bowls in Scotland and is tasked with selecting a squad that is capable of delivering medals at the highest levels of international competition, including the Home Nations Championships, IBD World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Scotland is considered to be one of the leading countries within the sport and our mission is to become the number one para bowls nation in the world.
With the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games less than 6 months away the SDS Para Bowlers head to Gedling Indoor Bowling Club, Nottingham for a test event against England and Wales. This is the last opportunity for players to stake a claim for the Mixed Pair B2/B3 and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 that will be selected in November.
The bowlers have been involved in an intense 18 months of training and competition and players will want to peak this weekend.
Selection decisions are always difficult and given the strength and depth that we now have in the programme this has become even more challenging, with competition or places extremely high.
Commenting on the team selection, SDS Performance Manager Gary Fraser said:
“The team heading to Nottingham this weekend is extremely strong and we are looking forward to putting in a performance against our Commonwealth Games rivals. This test comes at a significant time in our preparations and gives us the opportunity to monitor the players closely and trial differing combinations. Selection decisions are always difficult but we feel this group has a good blend of experience, youth and a strong sense of team unity, which is vital for pairs and triples disciplines.”
Open Triples B6/B7/B8
Billy Allan
Mike Nicoll
Garry Brown
Martin Hunter
John Hughes
Michael Simpson
Mixed Pair B2/B3
Billy Edgar
Robert Barr
Maria Spencer
Irene Edgar
Directors
Christine Morrow
Ron McArthur
Grace Whitton
Sarah Jane Ewing
Coaches
Bob Dick (Head Coach)
Bob Christie
Nigel Walker
Eric McMillan
Chris McGready
The Mixed Pair B2/B3, Directors and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 will be nominated to Commonwealth Games Scotland prior to the team being fully announced on the 30 November.
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