Month: January 2019

West of Scotland Parasport – Celebrating 10 Years

Since 2010 the West of Scotland Parasport Event has played a vital role in engaging young school age people with a Physical and Visual Impairment in sport and physical activity. 

This year is the tenth anniversary of the highly successful event, which takes place on Friday 8th March at the fantastic Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell. 

The event is for young people in the P5 -S6 age group and offers a multi-sport experience, which is the starting point for some in participating in sport and starting a life long journey. 

The activities selected reflect the strong sporting structure in the West of Scotland, and the sports are delivered by qualified and highly experienced coaches from Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport and local clubs, aiming to provide opportunities in the local community for the young people in attendance. 

The Celtic FC Foundation ‘Inspiring Sport’ Project has been involved with the event for the last 5 years and we are delighted that their continued support enables the Parasport Events to take place. 

You can:

During the 2016 Parasport Event in Edinburgh, video footage was captured highlighting the aims and potential impact of the event featuring testimonies from young people, parents, club coaches and professional officers.  We hope this footage will prove a useful tool in providing an accurate insight to the event. 

Wheelchair Tennis Stars set for Australian Open

Reigning US Open champion Alfie Hewett faces a rematch of September’s men’s singles final in New York against world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda when the four-strong Brit wheelchair tennis challenge begins on Wednesday at the Australian Open.

While Hewett begins his bid for back-to-back Grand Slam singles crowns against Japan’s defending Australian Open champion, 2016 champion and fellow Brit Gordon Reid will play Stephane Houdet of France, the 2018 runner-up to Kunieda at Melbourne Park.

Lucy Shuker will open her women’s singles campaign against Dutch defending champion Diede de Groot, while Andy Lapthorne plays former champion David Wagner of the USA in his first of three quad singles round-robin matches.

Ahead of his first match since winning the US Open in September, world No.3 Hewett said:

“I’ve come back from having a break and I’m feeling motivated to perform and where that leads I’m excited to find out. I’ve had an intense training period leading up to Australia. My fitness was always maintained, so physically I feel like I’m fresh and in a good place. However, when you take time away from the sport its surprising how quickly you lose little things about your game. So I’ve had to work hard to get back up to a level where I feel like I can really challenge for the title.”

World No.7 Reid won the first Grand Slam singles title of his career in Australia three years ago and is relishing his return to Melbourne, which will see him play world No.3 Houdet in his opening singles and doubles matches. He said:

“I love coming back to Melbourne Park, they have improved the facilities once again and it’s fantastic for all the players. Seeing the singles trophy up close again during the draw ceremony brought back great memories from 2016.”

While Hewett begins his 2019 season this week, Reid has already played two tournaments this season, the first of which brought his latest Super Series doubles title when he partnered Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez to win the Bendigo Open. He now turns his attention to attempting to win back-to-back Grand Slam doubles titles with Hewett as the two-time US Open and three-time Wimbledon champions reunite.

“Over the last few months I’ve played with a few different partners while Alfie had his break. So I’m looking forward to being back on the doubles court with him and aiming to win our first Aussie Open doubles title as a team,”

Hewett and Reid will play Houdet and Australian Ben Weekes in their semi-final.

Five-time Australian Open doubles champion Andy Lapthorne opens his bid for a first quad singles title at Melbourne Park against his doubles partner and world No.2 David Wagner of the USA. Lapthorne was runner-up to Wagner at last week’s ITF 1 Melbourne Open.

World No.3 and 2014 US Open quad singles champion Lapthorne, who was runner-up to Wagner at last week’s ITF 1 Melbourne Open, said:

“I feel like I’m playing OK right now and getting some good results and performances, so I’m looking forward to really trying to bring my best tennis to the singles court this year. It’s always a buzz coming back to Australia and knowing I’ve won lots of titles here and I’m looking to add to that this week. As far as David and I go in doubles, we are a good team and well prepared for our latest chance at another Grand Slam together.”

After facing Wagner, Lapthorne will also play Australians Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson in the four-ay round robin phase of the quad singles competition The top two players after the round-robin will go forward to Saturday’s quad singles final. Later this week Lapthorne and Wagner will also play Alcott and Davidson as the Anglo-American duo and reigning US Open champions attempt to win their fourth Australian Open quad doubles title in six years.

Of the four Brits competing in the wheelchair events at Melbourne Park this week world No. 7 Shuker has the most experience of the first Grand Slam of the year. Shuker will be playing her tenth Australian Open and faces a tough assignment in her opening women’s singles match on Wednesday when she takes on world No.1 Diede de Groot. She said:

“I’m extremely proud to have qualified for this Grand Slam for the tenth time. It’s a stat I can be proud of. I’ve had some great results and performances here over the years, being twice a singles semi-finalist and twice a doubles finalist. The Australian Open is definitely one of my favourite tournaments in the calendar, there is always a real buzz in Melbourne during the Slam.”

After contesting her latest Grand Slam doubles final at Wimbledon last July partnering Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock, Shuker partners South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane this week. Shuker and Montjane will play Ellerbrock and Dutchwoman Marjolein Buis in their semi-final.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

Cross Country Series & Walk in the Park

Cross country series comes to the Beveridge Park in February – plus the 8th GOGA in Fife “Walk in the Park”
2018/2019 – S.D.S. CROSS COUNTRY EAST SERIES for athletes with a physical or visual impairment or learning disability

  • Disability Sport Fife and Fife AC will host Series 3 of the East Cross Country Series with support from Kirkcaldy Rugby Club.
  • Preceding the first event at the Beveridge Park on 7th February at 10 50 there will be the 8th GOGA in Fife Walk in the Park over the 500 metres marked out cross country course. As with all previous Walks in the Park certificates will be presented. Previous participants please remember to bring their participation certificates for signing on the day. All Walk participants must be preregistered on a GOGA in Fife registration form. Contact norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk.
  • Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome and encouraged to “bring a buddy”- family member, sports leader, school ambassador, staff member, support worker, volunteer, peer mentor volunteer etc.
  • GOGA in Fife is passionate about inclusive active recreation and walking in particular. Some participants will be encouraged to use Nordic walking poles as part of the GOGA in Fife 2019 initiative to introduce active recreation full body “Nordic fun experiences” during walking sessions.
  • Working with Bums off Seats and Paths for All, the GOGA in Fife Nordic Walking programme is in its infancy but will be rolled out throughout 2019. Pedometer usage is also being introduced to recreational walks.
  • Get Out Get Active in Fife (GOGA) there is something for everybody.
  • Series 1 Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh EH16 5LL Tuesday 6 Nov 2018 11.00 – 13.00 hrs COMPLETED
  • Series 2 Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh EH16 5LL Thursday 6 Dec 2018 11.00 – 13.00 hrs COMPLETED
  • Series 3 Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy,Fife KY2 5PQ Thursday 7 Feb 2019 11.00 – 13.00 hrs Closing date for entries – Fri 22 Jan 2019
  • Series 4 Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh EH16 5LL Tuesday 26 Feb 2019 11.00 – 13.00 hrs Closing date for entries Fri 15 Feb 2019

SECTIONS

  • Athlete with a physical impairment Physical
  • Athlete with a visual impairment Sensory (VI or HI)
  • Athlete with a learning disability Learning

PROGRAMME
EVENT DATE SCHOOL YEAR DISTANCE SECTIONS
Primary 5 – S6 500m All
S1-S6 1k All
S2-S6 2k All
S3-S6 3k All
College Student / Adult 1k, 2k or 3k All

Notes for competitors, teachers and coaches

  • Entries: This year the entries from the 1st series will be carried forward to all the other race dates. If there are any new athletes attending, then you just send through the new names by the closing date and any withdrawals. It is imperative that athletes enter the same distance at each event for purposes of scoring.
  • Athletes will be banded by school year.
  • Males/females may run in the same race but will be separated for results. There will be provision for separate school year/sections in each race.
  • Athletes should register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race.
  • Scoring: 1st = 10pts, 2nd = 9pts, 3rd = 8pts, 4th = 7pts, 5th = 6pts, etc.
  • Series medals will be presented at the last match in the series and athletes that compete in 3 out of the 4 dates will receive a series medal.
  • Courses: The courses are suitable for cross country shoes or short spikes.
  • Entry Fee: Free to all Schools/Branches. The fee for the series has been withdrawn this year, in an attempt to encourage more athletes to take part. There will still be a £4 per head charge for the Nationals on 21 March 2019 at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow.
  • Registration: Teams should arrive between 10.15am – 10.45am to pick up numbers and familiarise athletes with the course and Warm-up. Start time will be approximately 11am, finishing by 12 30 at the latest. (Remember at the Fife event the Walk in the Park will begin at 10 50)
  • Entry forms to be returned to Norma Buchanan, Administrator, Scottish Disability Sport, Michael Woods Sports Centre, Viewfield, Glenrothes, Fife KY6 2RD Email norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

National Performance Swim Championships 2019

Scottish Disability Sport / Scottish Swimming National Performance Swim Championships 2019
Sunday 20th January 2019

The Mercat Gait Centre in East Lothian played host to the Scottish Disability Sport / Scottish Swimming National Short Course Performance Swim Championships on Sunday 20th January 2019, attracting 40 swimmers with a physical, visual, hearing or learning impairment from all regions of the country.

The Performance Championships are a strong partnership event between Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming and were introduced to support regional development and create an appropriate competition for regional and national squad swimmers, inviting individuals from the Highlands, Grampian, Central, Fife the West and East of Scotland.  The event implements the IPC Multi-Classification system and for a number of swimmers, this was the first time they had experienced the British Swimming Points Scoring System allowing them valuable an introduction to these conditions and therefore preparing them for future competitions.

This years event welcomed several swimmers for the first time, many of whom are working towards an official classification and the championships provide an excellent platform for these individuals to record times over distances they might not have competed over in the past. One swimmer new to the event was Fife’s Katie Pake – the Carnegie Swimming Club youngster recording four personal best times including the 100m free (1.37.91).

Other notable performances on the day came from West of Scotland swimmer Louis Lawlor and Highland’s Tamsin Neef. The two S14 swimmers claimed a clean sweep with Lawlor (City of Glasgow Swim Team) taking home gold medals in the 200m free, 100m fly, 200m IM and 100m free, while Neef (TAIN ASC) claiming first places in 100m back, 200m free, 100m fly, 100m breast, 200m IM and 100m free.

Scottish Disability Sport would like to express thanks to all the dedicated volunteers from the SASA East District for their invaluable support on the day, as well as the expertise provided from multi Paralympic medallists Jim Anderson OBE and Paul Noble MBE who kindly presented medals and provided expert commentary throughout the day.

Paul Wilson, the Disability Performance Development Manager at Scottish Swimming, was also present to ensure the smooth running of the event lending his experience to the points system for the event.

For further information on the event or swimming for people with disabilities in Scotland, contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or alternatively email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

East of Scotland Para Sport Festival 2019

The annual Para Sport Festival is on the horizon for 2019, welcoming young people from across the East of Scotland with a physical, visual or hearing impairment and providing them with an opportunity to try a range of Para Sports, delivered by some of the best clubs and coaches across the country.  This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday 29th March at Forrester / St Augustine’s High School, Edinburgh.

The event, previously named the Paralympic Experience Event, is entering its eight year since inception prior to the London Paralympic Games in 2012.  It is a fantastic opportunity for primary and secondary aged young people to experience some of the sports that are successfully showcased at the Paralympic Games.  The activities selected reflect the strong club structure in the region and will aim to ignite the transition from the event to more regular sporting activity with one or more of the session’s being delivered. Several Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGB’s) have also expressed a real interest in supporting the event over the years and this further highlights the amount of partnership work involved.

The festival is a partnership event between Scottish Disability Sport, Edinburgh Active Schools, Lothian Disability Sport and Edinburgh Leisure who work together, along with local club coaches, to offer sessions in swimming, badminton, boccia, wheelchair basketball, tennis, goalball, judo and more to the children and young people from East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and West Lothian. This year’s event will also be supported by the Celtic FC Foundation.

During the 2016 event, video footage was captured highlighting the aims and potential impact of the event featuring testimonies from young people, parents, club coaches and professional officers.  We hope this footage will prove a useful tool in providing an accurate insight to the event.

If you require further information relating to the event, please contact Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Entry to the event can be completed by clicking here.

FVDS Boccia Championships 2019

Forth Valley Disability Sport Regional Junior Boccia Championships were held at the Grangemouth Sports Complex on Thursday 17th January 2019.

A record number of players qualified to attend the regional even this year, with 70 pupils from 11 primary and five secondary schools participating.

All competitors had a great time and really enjoyed the event. FVDS would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped at the event and allowed it to run so smoothly: the helpers and carers who came with the participating schools on the day, referees, sports leaders and staff from the three Local Authority areas – Active Stirling, Falkirk Community Trust and Clackmannanshire Council – Scottish Disability Sport and the Right on Target Boccia Club.

Many of the entrants have been training for the event by practicing their skills at their schools and at the Right on Target Boccia Club with their peers. Competitors were able to compete individually and in teams of three. A very high standard of play was demonstrated throughout the event and in some games the winner was not decided until the final end.

Graham Harvey from FVDS said: “We were delighted with the quantity and quality of the competitors. Many thanks must go to the Local Authority areas and Scottish Disability Sport for supporting the event.”

All competitors received a certificate and all medal winners were presented with their medals by Angus Whyte, Chairperson, Forth Valley Disability Sport.

If you or anyone you know, of any age, are interested in attending boccia sessions please contact Forth Valley Disability Sport on 01786 466 486.

Results are below.

Primary School Individual Physical Disability Classification
Place Name School
1st Miley Shaw Raploch PS
2nd Lexi Patterson Clackmannan PS
3rd Sophi-Ann Richardson Park PS
Primary School Individual Learning Disability Classification
Place Name School
1st Joey Delworth Craigbank PS
2nd Roselyn Boyne Laurieston PS
3rd Ethan Flynn Bowhouse PS
Primary School Individual Assistive Devices Classification
Place Name School
1st Lachlan Morris Park PS
1st Ellia McLaren Clackmannan PS
Primary School Team
Place Name School
1st Kyle, Jamie, Stephen Hallglen PS
2nd Jamie, Reece, Jay Ester Carmuirs MPS
3rd Nathan, Blake, Dameer Larbert Village PS
Secondary School Individual Learning Disability Classification
Place Name School
1st Lauren Blyth Alva A
2nd Ryan Flynn Grangemouth HS
3rd Linda Lochans Balfron Hs
Secondary School Team
Place Name School
1st Adam, Emma, Teigan Alva Academy Team 3
2nd Abbie, Caitlin, Molly Alva Academy Team 4
3rd Ewan, Aaron, Bradley Carrongrange Team 4

Reid Wins First Title of 2019

Scotland’s Gordon Reid won the Bendigo Open to claim the first men’s doubles Super Series title of the year.  The world number seven Reid and Argentine partner Gustavo Fernandez beat French top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer 6-3 6-3 on Saturday. 

The pair were playing in their second tournament together since reaching the final of the 2015 Australian Open. 

A further report can be found on the Paralympics GB website: 

https://www.paralympics.org.uk/articles/reid-and-fernandez-seal-bendigo-open-doubles-glory  

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

Family Pool Party – Grampian

Together with Grampian Deaf Children’s Society, NDCS are holding a Family Pool Party! Banish those January Blues and make a splash with us and the rest of your family!

When and Where: Portlethen Swimming Pool, Aberdeenshire AB12 4UR, Saturday 26 January, 3:30pm – 5:30pm

FREE

Bring the whole family 0-100 years… hearing siblings welcome, along with Grannies and Grandpas or Aunties and Uncles! However you must abide by Aberdeenshire’s Admission Policy and Adult/child Ratios.

To book online or for FAQ’s and Ratio’s please see our eventbrite page:

https://ndcspoolpartyjan2019.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information please contact:

Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer: swimming@ndcs.org.uk  or 0141 354 7860