Month: March 2018
2018 Winter Paralympic Games News
2018 Peongchang Winter Paralympic Games Athlete Profiles
Scott Meenagh
Athlete Profile: Scott Meenagh
Date of birth: 16th September 1989
Home town: Cumbernauld
Occupation: Athlete
Sport: Para-Nordic Skiing (cross country and biathlon)
Classification: LW12 Sit Skier
Club: GB Para Nordic
Coach: Simon Allanson
Background
Scott served with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment in Helmand province of Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and lost both his legs. Inspired by sport and with the support from the staff at DMRC Headley Court and the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery programme, he learned to walk again on prosthetic legs and has subsequently participated in a host of awe inspiring challenges which led to him winning the ‘Overcoming Adversity Award’ at the 2012 Sun Military Awards.
How and when did you become involved with your sport?
Having trained full-time with the GB Paralympic Rowing team, he narrowly missed out on selection to the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. He has now turned his attention to Nordic Skiing and competed in his first winter event towards the close of 2016.
Sporting Highlights
- Invictus Games (Athletics) – Silver: IT2 1500m, Silver: IT2 400m – 2017
- Invictus Games Champion, IR6 4min Rowing; Gavirate International Regatta, Double Silver Medallist, TA Single Scull – 2016
- British Indoor Racing Championships, Silver Medallist; Gavirate International Regatta Champion, TA Single Scull – 2015
- Double Silver Medallist at the Invictus Games as Captain of the British Armed Forces Rowing Team, IR6 1min & 4min – 2014
Interests
Scott has hand cycled 350 miles across battlefields in France, won medals at the Warrior Games, climbed Ben Nevis and took part in the first ever double amputee bungee jump in Scotland.
Sporting Goals
To qualify for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games before returning to rowing for the Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020.
Gregor Ewan
Athlete Profile: Gregor Ewan
Date of birth: 28th June 1971
Home town: Dundee, resides Elgin
Occupation: Athlete
Sport: Wheelchair Curling
Club: Moray Wheelchair Curling Club
Coach: Sheila Swan
How and when did you become involved with your sport?
By my old friend Norman Anderson. He kept saying come and try curling. I went to Moray Leisure Centre to try it to keep him happy and was hooked!
Sporting Highlights
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 Bronze
- Scottish Wheelchair Curling Champions – 2016, 2015, 2012
- Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championship – Runners Up 2014
- 9ème Tournoi international en fauteuil roulant de Lausanne – Champions 2015
- Danish International Wheelchair Curling Cup– Champions 2011, 2015 3rd
- Canadian Wheelchair Curling Open – Runner Up 2014
- US Wheelchair Curling Open – Runners Up 2014, Champions 2013, 2012 Bronze
- Paralympic Games – 2014 Bronze
- Cathy Kerr International Bonspiel – Runner Up 2012
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships – 2011 Silver
Interests
Still do half-marathons in my handcycle, curling, curling and curling!
Role model
Muhammad Ali
Sporting Goals
To win a World Gold and to win the Scottish Championships three in a row.
Pre game rituals
Listen to music ‘Bat out of Hell’.
Brett Wild
Athlete Profile: Brett Wild
Date of birth: 24th December 1992
Home town: Glasgow
Occupation: Guide (to Millie Knight)
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Classification: VIB2
Club: Glasgow Ski Racing
Coach: Amanda Pirie
How and when did you become involved with your sport?
I have been skiing since I was three years old and began racing at age seven. I ski raced for the Scottish junior development squad between the ages 15-17 and raced for the Navy and Combined Services teams. I started guiding Millie Knight in March 2016 and will be guiding her right through to the 2018 Paralympics in PyeongChang.
Sporting Highlights
2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, gold in the downhill and silver in the Super Combined, Slalom and Giant Slalom.
Favourite place to ski
Aspen, Colorado. The place was amazing and the skiing was fantastic!
Sporting Goals
Main ambition was to get selected for the Paralympics in 2018.
Angie Malone MBE
Athlete Profile: Angela Malone MBE
Date of birth: 27th May 1965
Home town: Glasgow
Occupation: Athlete
Sport: Wheelchair Curling
Club: Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club
Coach: Sheila Swan
How and when did you become involved with your sport?
By a friend at the age of 37 years old at Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club.
Sporting Highlights
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 – Bronze
- SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2016 – Champions
- Paralympic Games 2014 – Bronze
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2011 – Silver
- SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2008 – Champions
- Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championships 2008 – Champions
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 20017 – Bronze
- Paralympic Games 2006 – Silver
- SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2005 – Champions
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2004 – Gold
Interests
Water skied for 10 years for fun on our Scottish lochs, kayaking, handcycling, musical theatre.
Role model
Daley Thompson was an all round amazing athlete, Rhona Martin/Howie inspired me in 2002 (being a mum the same as myself) winning Gold in Salt Lake City.
Sporting Goals
To be selected for my fourth Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.
Aileen Neilson
Athlete Profile: Aileen Neilson
Date of birth: 15th August 1971
Home town: East Kilbride, resides Strathaven
Occupation: Athlete
Sport: Wheelchair Curling
Club: Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club, Avondale Heather Curling Club
Coach: Sheila Swan
How and when did you become involved with your sport?
All my family curl and I first tried it aged 15. Started wheelchair curling in 2005.
Sporting Highlights
- World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 Bronze
- SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Open – Champions 2016, Champions 2009, Champions 2007
- Paralympic Games – 2014 Bronze
- Scottish Wheelchair Curling Champions – 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007
- SWCA Shot Maker – Champion 2012/13, Champion 2010/11
- SWCA National Wheelchair Curling Pairs – Champions 2008
- World Wheelchair Curling Championship – 2011 Silver, 2007 Bronze
- British Champions 2006/07
- WWhCC Sportsmanship Award – 2011
Interests
Competed at the World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities 2005, reading, arts and crafts
Role model
Ellen McArthur
Sporting Goals
Gold medal at Worlds and Paralympics.
One piece of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Follow the processes and the result will follow.
Tickets on Sale for World Boccia Event
www.twitter.com/2018WorldBoccia / www.echoarena.com/worldboccia
Tickets have today officially gone on sale for the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships.
The World Championships – which is funded by The National Lottery – is set to attract 190 players from 33 countries to Exhibition Centre Liverpool from the 12-18 August 2018. A limited number of early bird tickets are now available and are expected to sell out quickly.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport where the aim is to throw or roll balls closer to the target ball, the jack, than your opponent. All boccia athletes have an impairment that affects all four of their limbs; consequently they play from wheelchairs. It is a sport which requires strategic skill, superb muscle control and precision.
Athletes will battle it out for world titles, as well as crucially important ranking points ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. Hopes are certainly riding high for the British team. Leading the way is David Smith MBE who won gold at the Rio Paralympics in 2016:
“For us as athletes, it’s a huge coup that it is taking place on home turf. Support from a home crowd means everything – we felt it in London 2012 and it was spectacular – and I truly believe that knowing the crowd is willing you on really can lift your performance to another level.
“This is also the first ever international boccia event, outside of a Paralympics, that is ticketed so it is a big moment for the sport. The Championship team is being really innovative in the way it is building a brilliant, spectator-friendly event so if you have never seen international boccia before, here’s your chance. We would really love to see as many of you – schools, clubs, individuals and families – out in force to support us,” added David.
This is a great opportunity to watch world class sporting action ahead of the Paralympic Games in just two years’ time. But the event also aims to create a long-lasting legacy. A family-friendly sports festival showcasing the sport of boccia and the opportunities to play will run alongside the nail-biting sporting action.
Chair of Boccia UK John Dowson explained: “Boccia saw sell-out crowds in London 2012 and Rio 2016. The sport is growing at a terrific pace internationally so we are thrilled to be hosting the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships. It’s the largest event on the boccia calendar and we are gearing up to provide an unrivalled experience for both athletes and spectators.”
BISFed is the international federation for boccia. Its President David Hadfield said: “I am very excited that we are bringing international boccia to the city of Liverpool. The World Championships is the most important event outside the Paralympic Games, and with more countries and athletes participating than ever before, I am confident that Boccia UK and its partners will deliver a magnificent tournament.”
Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport said: “We invest National Lottery funding into major sporting events to inspire the nation; hosting the Boccia World Championships will play a key part in helping us achieve this. We look forward to working in partnership with GB Boccia, City of Liverpool and ACC Liverpool to bring this pinnacle event to the UK.”
Liverpool’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Liverpool and sport go hand in hand, and it’s the perfect city to showcase a variety of major sporting events. In 2018 we are celebrating ten years since our reign as European Capital of Culture, and to mark this the city is staging an incredible programme of events. The Boccia World Championships are an exciting part of this and we look forward to welcoming the passionate fans to our world class venue for an unforgettable competition.”
The BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships has been made possible thanks to UK Sport’s National Lottery funding through its Major Events Programme.
Early Bird Prices:
| Early Bird Day Ticket | Booking Fee | Total | |
| Adult | £ 12.00 | £ 1.90 | £ 13.90 |
| Concession (16yrs+ and over 65) | £ 7.50 | £ 1.50 | £ 9.00 |
| Carer | £ 0 | £ 0 | £ 0 |
Full Price
| Day Ticket | Booking Fee | Total | |
| Adult | £ 15.00 | £ 1.90 | £ 16.90 |
| Concession (16yrs+ and over 65) | £ 9.00 | £ 1.50 | £ 10.50 |
| Carer | £ 0 | £ 0 | £ 0 |
You can purchase tickets here: www.echoarena.com/worldboccia
Individual Competition: 12th – 15th August
Team and Pairs Competition: 16th – 18th August
3rd West Cross Country Series
Thursday 22nd March saw the last cross country in the West Series take place at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton. It was perfect weather for the athletes to take part in their first event at the new venue to be introduced for future years.
A total of 203 athletes took part over six races with some great performances on the day and some very close finishes. Well done to everyone who took part today and also to those who received their series medal for competing in all three cross countries.
Medals were awarded to the first 3 boys and girls over the line and the results are below.
| 1K Primary Boys | ||
| 1st – Callum Paterson (VP) | 2nd – Elliot Higgins (Merkland) | 3rd – Charles Bradley (Drumpark) |
| 1K Primary Girls | ||
| 1st – Ava Smith (Carstairs Junction) | 2nd – Natasha McMillan (Drumpark) | 3rd – Jayden O’Kolo (Drummore) |
| 1K S1-S3 Boys | ||
| 1st – Alan Robert (Glencryan) | 2nd – Reece Pirie (Merkland) | 3rd – Matthew Rayment (Merkland) |
| 1K S1-S3 Girls | ||
| 1st – Kimberley Walker (Abercorn) | 2nd – Emma Neil (Abercorn) | 3rd – Bianca Rostas (St Oswalds) |
| 1K S4-S6 Boys | ||
| 1st – Alex Thomson (Ham Gram) | 2nd – Dominic Gallagher (Firpark) | 3rd – Conor Pilans (St Oswalds) |
| 1K S4-S6 Girls | ||
| 1st – Sara Stevenson (Merkland) | 2nd – Fiona Rodgers (Sanderson) | 3rd – Sarah McWilliams (Cardinal Winn) |
| 1K Seniors | ||
| 1st – Gavin Roberts (VP Glasgow) | 2nd – Carl Furhmann (College) | 3rd – Edward Simmons (Red Star) |
| S4-S6 | ||
| 1st – Cormac O’Hara (Willwood) | 2nd – Rafas Rostas (St Oswalds) | 3rd – Alex Oliphant (Isobel Mair) |
| 2K Seniors | ||
| 1st – David Mott (VP Glasgow) | ||
| S5-S6 | ||
| 1st – Darren Carruthers (Bearsden) | 2nd – Jamie Gulbransen (St Oswalds) | |
| 3K Seniors | ||
| 1st – Alistair Larter (VP Glasgow) | ||
Thanks to South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture for hosting/setting up the event and WOSA for organising.
The SDS National Cross Country takes place at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Tuesday 20th March.
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