The 39th Fife Inter Schools Gala for swimmers with additional support needs was held at Lochgelly HS on Thursday 27th September and produced the most exciting finish in the history of the event. The outcome depended on the final two relays. The host school produced an outstanding second place finish in the girls relay and a win in the boys relay to win the Russell Hogg trophy by one point. The victory prevented Woodmill HS swimmers making it four wins in successive years. This was only the third win for Lochgelly HS in 39 years.

The gala is organised by Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and supported by the staff and pupils of Lochgelly High School. DSF is indebted to Lochgelly HS ambassadors who acted as time keepers and Scottish Swimming officials Tom Foster, Jim Drummond and Colin Wilson who coordinated officiating duties. As always DSF had a strong team of volunteers operating on poolside. The gala ran exceptionally smoothly with 55 individual events and relays being held in under two hours. The headteacher of Lochgelly HS presented medals to race winners and also presented the Russell Hogg Trophy.

9 secondary schools participated, the highest number to date. Newcomers Auchmuty HS and Queen Anne HS joined Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS, Madras College, Bell Baxter HS, Glenothes HS and Dunfermline HS for the 2018 gala. The Fife team for the Scottish Junior Championships to be held at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre will be selected from gala results.

Team points: Lochgelly HS 63; Woodmill HS 62; Balwearie HS 39; Madrras College 36; Queen Anne HS 21; Glenrothes HH 19; Auchmuty HS 12; Bell Baxter HS/Dunfermline HS 8. Callum Robertson from Balwearie HS was voted top boy and Cerys Venters Scott from Dunfermline HS top girl.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

92 pupils from across the West of Scotland took part in the West of Scotland Schools Boccia competition at the Emirates arena on Tuesday 25^th September 2018.

It was a great turnout with 10 local authorities out of the 13 being represented.  Schools travelled from as far afield as Stranraer and Cumnock and everyone enjoyed their day.

Results are below:

Physical Disability sections

Gold: Craig – Annan Academy
Silver: Cameron – Abercorn School
Bronze: Saad – St Mungo’s High School

Gold: Rhys – Park School
Silver: Callum – Marr College
Bronze:    Keeley – Park School

Gold: Declyn – Firpark Secondary
Silver: Kimberley – Kelbourne Primary
Bronze: Fraser – Mearns Castle

Learning Disability Sections

Gold: Aaron – Kirkriggs Primary
Silver:  Kenzie – Dalmilling Primary
Bronze: Eleanor – Hottsbridge Primary

Gold: John – Holybrook
Silver: Cameron – Stranraer
Bronze: Calum – Holybrook

There was some promising play on display, which was even more exciting as we had Claire Morrison from Boccia UK in attendance to talent spot.  Lots of the pupils enjoyed getting their picture taken with Claire and we were grateful to have her there.

Ayrshire College students were officiating on the day and did a great job.  They were very enthusiastic and professional and interacted with the pupils extremely well.  Scottish squad players Reegan Stevenson and Ross Munro were also helping on the day and offered advice to pupils.

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.

 

Edinburgh Football Coach Shortlisted for SFA Grassroots Awards

Spartans Community Football Academy coach Robbie Anderson has been shortlisted for the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards in association with Sunday Mail and McDonald’s.  Robbie is one of three individuals who have been shortlisted for the National Award, which is decided via a public vote with voting now open.  To vote for Robbie, please follow the link below –

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football-development/attractive-game/grassroots-awards/award-categories/peoples-choice/

Robbie has been happy to provide over 200 hours of voluntary support to a range of grassroots football projects over the previous two years, mainly based around the East of Scotland.  The initiatives include sessions aimed at Special Education Primary Schools across Edinburgh, providing opportunities for pupils with additional support needs, including intellectual impairments and autism.

A former pupil at Pilrig Park School in Edinburgh, Robbie is working hard to progress through the SFA coaching pathway currently holding level 1.3.  As a result of these achievements, Anderson, who is 22 years old, is an active and engaging role model to the young people who he is coaching on a weekly basis.  He has also continued his education, enrolling on a NC Sports and Fitness course at Edinburgh College and is keen on becoming a lead sports coach in the future.

In addition to his regular coaching commitments, Robbie is also an active member of Lothian Special Olympics – recently competing at National Summer Games in Sheffield as part of the bowls team.

Robbie would be a truly deserving winner of the Scottish FA Grassroots Award.  To help make this happen, please click on the link near the top of the page.

Another brilliant day was had by all the participants at the WestMARC activity event this year.

In partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, WestMARC (West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre) held its fifth Activity day, and for the first time opened the activities to adult participants.

The morning session was devoted to younger people with limb loss and amputation, along with their siblings and parents.  Along with the arts and music rooms, the young people had the opportunity to try out Cricket, Table Tennis, Sitting Volleyball and Wheelchair Basketball.  Cricketscotland, Basketball Scotland, Drumchapel Table Tennis Club and the Scottish Volleyball Association, supported the event with coaches who introduced and encouraged the youngsters into some fun skills and games.

A fantastic inspirational talk from Paralympian, Scott Meenagh ( 2018 Winter Paralympics Nordic and Cross Country Skiing) , gave both the young people and adults an insight into the enjoyment and incredible hard work it takes to reach an elite level.  Scott’s message though, was to inspire everyone to take up an activity they enjoy, no matter what the level and to  see where it takes them.

In the afternoon, the adult participants had the chance to try out the sports and the competitive spirit came out in quite a few!  All the sports were a huge hit, and many who hadn’t taken part in sport in a while, enjoyed a brilliant afternoon of teamwork, competition and laughter!  The Mexican wave was in full flow from the spectators!

Andy Fleming, RDO, Scottish Volleyball said “It was great to be involved in the delivery of the Sitting Volleyball to a new audience.  The participants were really enthusiastic about the sport and quickly became competitive with each other! I felt truly inspired by the attitude and determination of everyone on the day.  I really hope to be able to support this group in the future.”

Huge thanks to Andy Fleming (Volleyball), Tina Gordon, Adam Donnachie and Craig Brown, (Wheelchair Basketball), Euan McLaughlin (Table Tennis) and Ann Hargie (Cricket) for their support with the sports, Scott Meenagh for giving up his time to speak to the participants, and to everyone at WestMARC for ensuring this brilliant event is organised every year.

The Boccia Leaders Award will provide coaches, teachers and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to introduce boccia to children, young people and adults with a wide range of abilities.   The tutor will organise theory and practical sessions that provide an overview of the structure of the sport, rules and relevant practices.

Venue:             Alloa Academy, Clackmannanshire

Date:              Thursday 4th October 2018

Time:               4.30pm – 7.30pm

Cost:                No cost to Forth Valley individuals/ representatives

To book:          Contact admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

To find out more information about coach education and disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact: Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com/ Phone: 07577 830360

Additionally please visit the Scottish Disability Sport website for further Boccia information:

www.scottishdisabilitysport.com/about-boccia-2/

Highest entry, most schools and 55 events scheduled for 2018 Fife Inter Schools Gala

The 39th Fife Inter Schools Gala for swimmers with additional support needs is scheduled to be held at Lochgelly HS on Thursday 27th September. The gala is organised by Disability Sport Fife and supported by the staff and pupils of Lochgelly High School. DSF is indebted to Lochgelly HS and the volunteer officials and stewards who will run the event.

There will be 222 competitive swims, 55 events and 9 secondary schools with DAS departments taking part, the highest number to date. Newcomers Auchmuty HS and Queen Anne HS will join Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS, Madras College, Bell Baxter HS, Glenothes HS and Dunfermline HS for the 2018 gala. The Fife team for the Scottish Junior Championships to be held at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre will be selected from gala results.

Schools compete for the Russell Hogg Trophy, currently held by Woodmill HS pupils. Only Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS and Lochgelly HS pupils have won the team trophy. In the last 15 years Lochgelly HS have won twice, Balwearie HS 8 times and Woodmill HS 5 times and that includes the last three years. Julie Hogg from the Russell Hogg Trust will present the trophy at the conclusion of the gala.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Boccia UK is responsible for High Performance Boccia within the UK, hosting the UK Sport funded World Class Programme and supporting athletes to achieve their potential at the highest level of Paralympic sport.

We are looking to recruit a highly driven and efficient individual who has a passion to support the Boccia World Class Programme to success in Tokyo and beyond.

Role:

The purpose of the role is to drive and support the day-to-day operational needs of Boccia UK, this will include tasks such as training camp and competition planning and administration, international competition entries, logistics and financial administration and reporting of World Class Programme budgets.  The role will also include building and maintaining relationships with home country and international governing bodies and various stakeholders. The individual will provide secretariat support to the Board and wider committees and will hold the position of company secretary.

Person Specification:

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is capable of working as part of a wider remote team. Knowledge of the sport of Boccia and/or the wider elite sporting landscape within the UK would be a significant advantage. The post holder will be financially literate with the ability to monitor and manage budgets and maintain financial accounts and processes.  Experience of providing secretariat support to a board/committee would be desired. Event delivery would be advantageous.

Location: Based at home with travel to meetings, competitions and training as required.

Salary: Competitive

Equality: Boccia UK positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, belief and gender.

Applications: Please email a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role and a CV to info@boccia.uk.com. Please title the email Operations Manager Application.

Closing date: 5pm, Friday 12^th October

Interviews: Friday 19^th October

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Boccia UK Operations Manager

Salary: Competitive

Hours of Work: Such hours as necessary to carry out your duties.  This will involve a minimum of 37 hours per week and will include occasional working outside normal office hours at evenings and weekends and on Public Holidays.

Location: The normal place of work is ‘home’, however travel may be required both nationally and internationally.

Responsible to: Boccia UK Performance Director

The position includes but is not limited to:

Administration / Operations / Logistics/ Finance

1. To establish and maintain efficient office administration procedures that ensure the effective processing of sport specific work areas in line with personal work programme priorities
2. To manage and implement IT processes in support of World Class Programme Operations
3. To manage the invites, facilities, accommodation and catering for identified squad activities (including UK and overseas based training camps)
4. To manage the entries, transport and liaison with Organising Committee’s for international competitions
5. To prepare and distribute documents and other relevant paperwork in respect of such events (points 2, 3 and 4 above)
6. To maintain financial costing’s for all such events (2 and 3 above), and report on these to budget-holders
7. Working with appropriate support agencies, to manage and coordinate recruitment processes
8. Preparing and finalising financial forecasts and returns to UK Sport in line with Funding Agreement guidelines
9. Providing the Finance Committee with regular forecast figures and updates and attending finance meetings.
10. Processing and completing authorised payments and raising invoices
11. Keeping transaction records for reconciliation with the financial management system

Performance Programme Technical Areas

1. To ensure that all sport policies are up to date and available to athletes, staff and other agencies
2. To maintain information database of athletes, staff and potential athletes
3. To manage an Information Management system integrating calendar, documents, training diaries, athletes wellbeing information and performance analysis data
4. To act as a member of the core Team (including Team Manager responsibilities) when required
5. To ensure that Programme athletes and staff are adequately insured and that all staff have undergone the requisite criminal checks to work with vulnerable adults and children
6. To ensure that all athletes and staff receive regular anti-doping education
7. To ensure that Programme athletes and staff have correct and appropriate kit and equipment
8. To manage PR and media relations, publicising the achievements of the sports and managing any arising media issues. Maintain and update social media platforms.
9. To ensure athletes fulfil their contracted UK Sport and National Lottery appearances as well as other media and sponsor activity
10. To work with sponsors to ensure delivery of agreed services to identified athletes
11. To work with the wider performance team (UK & Home Countries) in the design, delivery and event management of domestic competitions.

Technical Projects

1. To act as Company Secretary to the United Kingdom Boccia Federation Board and to act as Secretary to the Finance Committee and support the respective Chairs in fulfilling the Governance requirements including interaction with UK Sport and other stakeholders.
2. Support the development and implementation of the Strategic plan and contribute to its execution through the UKBF Board
3. To run and further develop the UKBF website containing up to data and useful information and manage social media platforms
4. To respond to general queries coming in to the info@ email address
5. To further develop the athlete handbook
6. To support UK wide classification processes and development
7. To undertake ad hoc projects as agreed from time to time
8. To provide support to the Performance Director