Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre was the venue for the Fife badminton championships and DSF is indebted to Fife Sports and Leisure Trust for continued support of the DSF events programme. The championships were the second major event of the 2019 Fife Sports Festival.
The late Russell Hogg worked for both Badminton Scotland and Scottish Disability Sport and had a major influence on the development of disability badminton in Fife. Russell’s achievements as a Scottish international badminton player are well known and his passion for badminton development was unique.
Russell greatly influenced the DSF attitude towards badminton and thanks to Russell’s guidance and enthusiasm the sport has been part of the DSF programme for a significant number of years. DSF has a very special relationship with Kirkcaldy High School and for the fifth year Kirkcaldy High School’s Sports Leaders were responsible for umpiring duties.
For the 2019 Championships, DSF once again created divisions based on age, gender and ability to ensure that participants competed against players of similar ability. Junior players from schools and adults from West Fife CSS, East
Fife CSS and DSF weekly sessions in Glenothes and Cowdenbeath signed up for the all day event.
Scottish international Para badminton player, Mary Wilson from Edinburgh, successfully defended the open title for women and throughout the day offered advice, shot choices and subliminal coaching to all those she played. Pauline Bryson from the DSF Cowdenbeath group was runner up with Briony Clark from DSF Glenrothes won bronze. Tanis Murphy from East Fife CSS won the intermediate section and Erin Johnstone from West Fife CSS was runner up.
Rosalind Penman from Balwearie HS successfully defended the girls open title and Jade Trowell from Glenrothes HS was runner up. Samantha Christie from Balwearie HS won the bronze medal. Scott Todd from Glenrothes HS won the equivalent section for boys by defeating Calum Robertson from Balwearie HS 2 – 1. Leo Cord from Balwearie HS won bronze. Mark Phimister from Balwearie HS defeated David Goodsir from Glenrothes HS to win the intermediate boys title with Sufyann Saleem from Balwearie HS winning bronze.
The mens open section had several close matches plus play offs to determine the outcome. Lloyd Simpson from DSF Glenrothes was the outstanding player from the start of the competition and managed a comfortable win against Steven Anderson from DSF Glenrothes to retain the open title. Robert Anderson from DSF Glenrothes won bronze.
There were play offs in the mens intermediate competition also but once again Ryan Melville from DSF Glenrothes was the outstanding player from the start. Allan Robertson from DSF Glenrothes won silver and Stephen Russell from DSF Glenrothes a well deserved bronze. The level 3 competition was won by Ryan Peterson from East Fife CSS with Tristen Rankine from West Fife CSS finishing runner up. John Sapsed from West Fife CSS won bronze.
Great venue, committed players, super officials and volunteers – a very successful event and well done to all those who participated. The photo includes all the title winners and medalists.
Richard Brickley MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees