Month: June 2019

Sam Ingram announces retirement

Judo Scotland athlete, and Team GB Paralympian, Sam Ingram has announced his retirement from competitive judo with immediate effect. 

Ingram represented Paralympics GB at London 2012, taking silver, to add to the bronze medal he secured at Beijing in 2008 in the under 90kg category.  The 2016 Paralympics in Rio marked Sam’s third consecutive Games, where he finished just outside a medal in fifth place. Sam’s consistent performances secured his position as the most decorated athlete on the British Judo Paralympic Programme.

The 33-year-old also achieved silver medals on four occasions at the World Championships in 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2018, as well as successful European Championships where he achieved gold (2011 and 2013) and bronze (2010 and 2015) to bolster his impressive tally of medals.

Hailing from Coventry, Ingram was born with the genetic eye condition known as corneal dystrophy, meaning he cannot see in colour and has reduced central vision.  Ingram praised judo as being the perfect sport for him; he highlights the competitive and physical nature of judo being key reasons why it fitted him perfectly, with his limited sight not being an obstacle in terms of him starting up and getting on to the mat.  In addition to this, Ingram praises the sport of judo, and the governing bodies involved, for making Judo one of the most inclusive sports to participate in:

“As a sport, Judo in Great Britain has long been at the forefront of inclusive behaviour; we have people of different genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities and race, and those with and without disabilities all training, competing and developing as Judoka under one banner, and I’m very proud to be part of this”.

National High Performance Coach, Euan Burton MBE, paid tribute to Ingram:

“I would like to congratulate Sam on a wonderful competitive career that has spanned 3 Paralympic cycles and seen him win 2 Paralympic medals and multiple major championship honours. In addition to his own personal achievements Sam has also played a major role in the de-stigmatising of Paralympic judo within Great Britain and played a pivotal role in the integration of Paralympic and Olympic judoka within the training environment. On a personal note can I add my thanks to Sam as someone who has helped us drive forward culture at JudoScotland and continues to provide inspiration to judoka in Scotland.”

JudoScotland Chairman Ronnie Saez echoed the above sentiments, praising the way in which Ingram conducted himself throughout his illustrious career:

“Whilst Samuel’s International and Paralympic successes speak for themselves – it may also be appropriate to pause and reflect at this time on his embodiment and demonstration of the Paralympic values whilst being one of the World’s leading Paralympic Judo athletes. His determination, equality, inspiration and courage have been to the fore throughout his competitive career and also more recently in his ambassadorial roles for JudoScotland with the ‘Judo Girls Rock’ and ‘iDoJudo’ programmes”.

Ingram is not completely parting ways with JudoScotland; this next chapter sees him taking up a role with JudoScotland as a Regional Development Officer, with a focus on the East of Scotland.  Speaking of his decision to retire in his full statement, Ingram highlights the opportunity for professional development away from performance sport.  Ingram and his wife recently welcomed a baby girl, and this new venture will allow him to focus on both his career and family.

JudoScotland would like to thank Sam for his commitment, hard work and success over the past 12 years, and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.  We’re delighted to have him remain as part of the JudoScotland team in his new role, and know that he’ll be just as successful and will continue to inspire many both on and off the mat.

Sam’s full statement can be found here.

Boccia Development Officer Madison Garland

Hi, I am Madison Garland the new Boccia Development Officer for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). My role is nationwide with my office based at SDS headquarters in Edinburgh. I am looking forward to becoming part of the SDS team, as well as getting to know the boccia community. I am excited about the prospect of developing the sport further and increasing the number of people playing across the country.

Prior to working with SDS I achieved my Sports Development and Coaching degree at Dundee University, and soon after, gained my first role as the National Disability Development Officer and the East Female Development Officer at Cricket Scotland (CS). My role at CS consisted of developing female cricketers and engaging and identifying new players via the fantastic engagement programmes that had been set up. I also assisted with the set up of the Disability Cricket section of the SGB, helping raise the profile of not only disability cricket, but of disability sport. I achieved this through several vehicles but one of the most successful was raising awareness of the visually impaired game using high-profile events, such as our exhibition match between the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) and the Glasgow City Councillors. This event profiled the sport politically as well as amongst the visually impaired community. I hope to use my previous experiences to increase the profile of boccia in a similar way.

Whilst I am not coming from a background in the sport of boccia, I am really looking forward to learning more about the sport and increasing my knowledge further. I have gained a lot of sports development experience in disability sport, and female participation, from my work at Cricket Scotland and this will benefit me going forward.

I’ll be getting out and about to meet the boccia community in due course but in the meantime I can be contacted on madison.garland@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Wimbledon Wheelchair Draws after Wildcards

Four British players from the LTA’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme will contest the wheelchair events at The Championships, Wimbledon, next month after wildcards were announced on Wednesday for Andy Lapthorne, Jordanne Whiley and Gordon Reid. Two Brits will contest the gentlemen’s wheelchair singles and doubles events, with reigning US Open champion Alfie Hewett already confirmed among the direct entries.

The wheelchair players are part of a total of fourteen Brits in the singles main draws at The Championships.

Lapthorne will be one of four players who will make history at Wimbledon as quad singles and doubles events make their debuts on the competition schedule following last year’s quad doubles exhibition match, which Lapthorne won partnering American David Wagner.

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Lapthorne, who has climbed to No.3 in this week’s quad singles rankings after reaching the final of the Open de France Super Series, said:

“It’s a dream come true to be playing in the first quad singles and doubles events at Wimbledon and I’m very thankful to Wimbledon for giving me that chance. I got an injury in Australia and It’s been tough coming back, but I’ve had some good results over the last couple of weeks and being back at world No. 3 this week helps everything.

“I’m going to be playing doubles with Dylan (Alcott of Australia) this time. We get on really well together and he’s done so much for the sport over the last couple of years, so it would be amazing if we could become the first official Wimbledon quad doubles champions together.”

Whiley will play her first Wimbledon since becoming a mum in January 2018. In 2017 she played at The Championships whilst 11 weeks pregnant, winning her fourth successive ladies’ doubles title partnering Yui Kamiji of Japan.

Whiley began her comeback to international wheelchair tennis in February this year and has won four of seven singles events she has contested since then Whiley has returned to No.8 in this week’s women’s singles rankings reaching the semi-finals of last year’s Super Series event in France.

Ten-time Grand Slam champion Whiley, who will playing at Wimbledon for the eighth time, said:

“I’m really excited and especially since it will be the first time since my comeback earlier this year that I’ve played with Yui. Obviously, the last time I was at Wimbledon we won the doubles again and I was pregnant with Jackson, so it’s going to be exciting to see what we can do this year. I’m so grateful that Wimbledon have backed me, but I’ve had a great comeback and I did not expect to be back in the top eight by mid-June. It’s been an amazing few months.”

Reid, the first ever Wimbledon gentlemen’s wheelchair singles champion in 2016, will play at The Championships for the ninth time and the current world No. 8’s wildcard award means he will partner Hewett in a bid to make it four successive gentlemen’s singles titles.

Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Reid, who was men’s singles finalist at Roland Garros this year, said:

“Wimbledon obviously holds so many great memories for me after winning four tittles there over the past three years, so I’m very happy and grateful to have been awarded the wildcard. It’s always a privilege to play at your home Grand Slam and such a buzz to win the major titles with the home crowd behind you, as Alfie and I have experienced. Hopefully I can take my good form on the clay and the hard courts in Paris over the past two weeks onto the grass courts.

Current world No. 3 Hewett is the only one of the four Brits to have qualified for direct acceptance for the wheelchair events at The Championships via his ranking.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Hewett, who added doubles victories partnering Reid at Wimbledon and the US Open to his 2018 US Open singles title, said:

“I’m incredibly excited for Wimbledon this year and for the prospect of trying to make it four doubles titles in a row with Gordon. There is no better feeling than winning a Grand Slam title in front of a home crowd. As the season’s gone on my form has been getting better and better and after reaching the singles semis at Roland Garros a couple of weeks ago and at Wimbledon for the last two years I’m really looking forward to getting back on the grass and trying to make it to two finals this time,”

The wheelchair tennis draws at The Championships, Wimbledon, take place on 11-14 July. For news and updates in the coming weeks follow on Twitter @the_LTA and @WChairTennisGB.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

Forth Valley Disability Sport Committee Members

Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS) is a voluntary sport group where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key local agencies and local authority areas in Forth Valley. FVDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability. FVDS have achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) which ensures all governance is up to date and appropriate. The committee of FVDS now wishes to appoint new committee members to join the branch.

We are recruiting for the following positions:

British Curling Announces Programme Wheelchair Curlers for 2019-2020

British Curling has announced the Programme Wheelchair Squad for 2019-2020, as the Wheelchair Curlers prepare for the second year of the Paralympic cycle building towards Beijing in 2022.

Four members of Scotland’s silver medal winning team at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships earlier this year are among those selected to receive Programme support and investment. David Melrose and Gary Logan made their debut at the World Championships when it was hosted in Stirling, having joined the Programme for the first time at the start of that season.

Melrose, who was a former fire-fighter, said he was delighted to have been selected to the Programme for a second consecutive year.

 “My first year on the Programme was pretty meteoric, experiencing the routine, discipline and team work required for squad training and tactical work, plus gym sessions and focusing on nutrition to optimise performance was all very new to me. It was a steep learning curve and extremely rewarding when I was selected for the Scotland team and the highlight of reaching the final and playing against China’s Paralympic Champions was something I could never have imagined possible and shows what can be achieved in the fast moving environment of elite sport.

 “Curling gave me a renewed purpose after my accident, the Programme taught me about self-discipline and effective team dynamics. Combined with a lot of hard work and effort, the impossible becomes possible and dreams become a reality, last year’s result shows us that any goal is achievable.”

Fellow debutante Gary Logan, who was alternate at those Championships, agrees with his teammate’s sentiment: “I am extremely grateful to have been selected for my second year on the Programme. It made a huge difference to my curling and the experience of a home World Championships has spurred each and every one of us on to achieve more success in the season to come.”

Fellow World silver medallists and PyeongChang Paralympians Hugh Nibloe and Robert McPherson – who was also a member of the 2014 ParalympicsGB bronze medal winning team – are the two most experienced members of the squad. A notable omission this year is Sochi bronze medallist Aileen Neilson who, after skipping her rink to a sterling podium finish in Stirling whilst making her ninth appearance at a World Wheelchair Championships, has decided to take some time out from the elite game.

Neilson said: “I have been in the squad for 14 years and our success at Stirling helped us to accrue qualifying points at the next Paralympics and it really gave me an opportunity to reflect on achievements over the years. I decided that by taking some time out I could enjoy some quality time with family and those close to me and also explore other avenues and projects.

 “I am a qualified Level 1 Coach and Tutor and as a former primary school teacher I want the chance to go into schools and inspire kids and the next generation of curlers, so really this is my time and chance to give back a bit to the sport I love,” she added.

Gary Smith and Charlotte McKenna, both of whom were on the Performance Foundation Squad last season, have worked hard to achieve Performance level support this year, while newcomer Rebekah Nimmo completes the line-up, supported at Performance Foundation level.

British Curling’s Head Wheelchair Coach Sheila Swan said; “Congratulations to all of those who have been selected for Performance or Performance Foundation support. Last year’s success in Stirling created a benchmark for all of our athletes as we now look to continue that upward trajectory whilst targeting further titles in the season ahead, consolidating our progression in this Beijing Paralympic cycle.”  

 Performance squad 2019-20

Gary Smith (Edinburgh)

Robert McPherson (Bellshill)

Hugh Nibloe (Stranraer)

David Melrose (Duns)

Charlotte McKenna (Bridge of Allan)

Gary Logan (Cornhill on Tweed)

 Performance Foundation 2019-20

Rebekah Nimmo – (Stranraer)

Scotland Top the Medal Table at UK Boccia Championships

When it comes to the sport of boccia Scotland delivers!  The 2019 UK Boccia Championships took place from the 14 – 16 June 2019 in Antrim, Northern Ireland and the competition showcased the best players across the home countries within the BC1 – BC4 classification groups.

Scotland qualified eight players for the event but unfortunately 2016 Paralympian, and recent Hong Kong World Open silver medallist, Patrick Wilson (BC3), had to withdraw due to illness.  The seven remaining players carried the flag with aplomb, showcasing their incredible talent throughout the weekend.

In the BC1 classification, Scotland’s only representative was the ever improving Reegan Stevenson, who topped his group to set up a semi-final with Daniel Wain (ENG).  After a cagey affair he took 2 points in the final end to win 3-2 and set up a final against Paralympic Champion, David Smith (ENG).  Smithy won the match 15-0 but Stevenson achieved his objective of retaining his silver medal for the first time at this level.

Lewis McConnell returned to represent Scotland in the BC2 competition after a four year break at this level.  Whilst McConnell failed to win any of his pool matches, he put in some very good performances and will take that learning away as he continues his comeback to performance level boccia.

The McCowan brothers, Scott and Jamie, were once again present in the BC3 competition, along with their ramp assistants (and parents), Gary and Linda.  Amongst the favourites for this competition, Jamie was looking to retain his UK individual title, whilst Scott, had already won the Scottish title, leading into this event.  Scott came second in his pool, which meant he would face a more difficult semi-final, which on this occasion, was against his brother!  Playing for family bragging rights the match was a very tight affair which saw Scott come from behind to win 4-3 and claim his place in the final, alongside dad, Gary.  Jamie, and mother, Linda still had a chance for bronze.

In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Jamie McCowan seized the initiative early on against Will Arnott (ENG) and was in complete control, eventually winning 5-1 and taking the bronze medal.  In the final, Scott a tougher proposition against England’s Matt Berry with the match ending 3-3.  A tie break end was required and after winning the toss, Scott nailed the jack, putting him in control of the match.  In the end he claimed the solitary point required to win his fourth British title – a joint record he holds alongside former Welsh player, Jacob Thomas.

Scotland had three representatives in the BC4 class with World number 2 Stephen McGuire, accompanied by Rio 2016 Paraympic teammate, Kieran Steer, who has returned to the sport following a break.  They were joined by developing player and wildcard entrant, Ross Munro.  There were six players in a round robin pool, with 1st and 2nd place competing for gold and 3rd and 4th for bronze.

McGuire topped the group, winning all of his matches to set up a final against Louis Saunders.  In a very competitive match, McGuire’s experience shone through as he won the match 7-2 to retain his UK individual crown for a record 13th time.  The BC4 championship has never been won by anyone from outside of Scotland!

Following a group stage tie between Evie Edwards (ENG), Kieran Steer and Ross Munro the official rule book was consulted to determine who went through to the medal match.  It would come down to the matches between those three players only, with all other results not considered.  Once the calculations had been ratified, it was Ross Munro and Evie Edwards who would compete for the medal.  Whilst disappointing for Steer, he can be pleased with his performances on his return to this level.

Earlier in the day Munro had produced a controlled performance to defeat 2016 Paralympian, Evie Edwards, 7-1, and was therefore confident going into the match.  It was to be a tighter affair with Evie taking the lead in the first end, but Munro battled back to eventually win the contest 6-3 and claim his first medal at a British Championships.

The overall result meant that Scotland topped the medal table by winning 5 of the 12 medals available, two of which were gold.

Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank our team of dedicated volunteers and coaches who support the players in both training and competition.  We would also like to show our gratitude towards our colleagues at Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI) for delivering an exceptional 2019 UK Championships.

Scottish Squad (Results)

BC1
Reegan Stevenson (Silver)

BC2
Lewis McConnell

BC3
Scott McCowan (Gold)
Jamie McCowan (Bronze)
Patrick Wilson

BC4
Stephen McGuire (Gold)
Ross Munro (Bronze)
Kieran Steer

Support Staff
Jen Barsby
Andrinne Craig
Peter McGuire
Gary Fraser
Madison Garland
Gary McCowan (Ramp Assistant)
Linda McCowan (Ramp Assistant)

Every result from the UK Championships can be viewed on our Twitter feed @SDS_Sport via the hashtag #ScottishBoccia.

For more information on the sport or to get involved, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Squads Announced for National Junior Championships

The Scotland National Squads have been selected for the 2019 Lord’s Taverners National Junior Championships.

Head Coaches Conor Smart (under 14) and Jen Scally (under 18) have named their Scotland squads for this summer’s tournament at the University of Worcester over the weekend 3rd & 4th August 2019.  The National Junior Championships make a significant contribution to the continued development of junior wheelchair basketball by creating opportunities for young and aspiring athletes across the UK.

Full squad lists can be found below –

Under 14
Name Team
Callum Smith Grampian Flyers
Shane Humphries Dundee Dragons
Nathanel Scott Dundee Dragons
Owen Leitch Dundee Dragons
Daniel McLaughlin Glasgow Rocks
David McLaughlin Glasgow Rocks
Charlie Redmond Lothian Phoenix
Finlay Erskine Lothian Phoenix
Ben Flanigan Lothian Phoenix
Sophie Dewar Lothian Phoenix
Josh Kitchen (Reserve) Lothian Phoenix
Roman Murray (Reserve) Lothian Phoenix
Conor Smart Head Coach
Karen Little McKay Assistant Coach
Josh Manson Team Manager

 

Under 18
Name Team
Jack Caird Grampian Flyers
Rhys Colliar Dundee Dragons
Blair Marshall Dundee Dragons
Ben Leitch Glasgow Rocks
James Beattie Glasgow Rocks
Cameron Watson Lothian Phoenix
Logan Kidd Lothian Phoenix
Jason Gillies Lothian Phoenix
Adam Donnachie Lothian Phoenix
Jen Scally Head Coach
Mark Stevenson Assistant Coach
Brian Borland Team Manager

 

All matches will be played over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August at the University of Worcester.

Visibility icon

Visibility Family Day – Dumfries

We would like to invite you to join us at our Family day on Thursday 25th July 2019 the event will take place at the amazing Dalscone Farm, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1SE.

The day will be an opportunity for families to enjoy the wonderful range of activities on offer at the venue while having the opportunity to meet other families and chat to Visibility staff. We will also be welcoming along Leanne form Compass Brain injury specialists who will be on hand to offer information and answer questions about the support she can offer to families.

We will be providing lunch on the day.

Places for this event are limited and booking is essential.

To book your place, please call the Children and families team on 0141 332 4632 or email Clare.Sweeney@visibility.org.uk.

Fife Lawn Bowls Championships 2019

Almost 50 bowlers with physical, sensory or learning disabilities registered for the 2019 Disability Sport Fife Lawn Bowls Championships held at the Beveridge Park Bowling Club in Kirkcaldy on Friday 14th June.

Club members officiated from 10 30, when the green was handed over to DSF by Club President Matt Thomson, through until 16 00 when the afternoon session presentations were completed.

Administration before, during and throughout the Championships was excellently coordinated by Norma Buchanan, administrator of Disability Sport Fife.

The Championships results determine the composition of the Fife Team for the Inter Area Championships to be held in Musselburgh on Friday June 28th and the SDS Scottish Lawn Bowls Championships scheduled for the Westburn Park in Aberdeen in September. DSF plans to enter two teams for the former and as always a strong team for the latter. Teams will be announced next week.

As always the mens open section for bowlers with a learning disability was keenly contested and produced a few surprises. Gary Handyside from Lumphinnans BC and Lloyd Simpson from Methil and Dovecot BC lost narrowly in the semi finals and were awarded joint third place trophies. Only one point separated Craig Donaldson Central Fife CSS and Steven Anderson Dovecot BC (8 – 7) in the final with the experienced Kirkcaldy man claiming back the title he has won many times before. Craig has been out of bowls recently through injury and he was welcomed back enthusiastically by his fellow players. Steven has made enormous progress this year under the coaching guidance of Mike Mowatt at Dovecot BC.

The mens B section was an all East Fife CSS affair with Jimmy Ramsay defeating Craig Bernard by 6 – 3 in the final. Allan Robertson from Dovecot BC and Craig Houston from East Fife CSS finished in joint third places. David Scott from Windygates BC won the mens C section by defeating Stuart Alcock from West Fife CSS and Headwell BC in the final 7 -2. Jamie Thomas and Tristen Rankine were in joint third place positions and like Stuart have progressed enormously this past year under the guidance of Chris Osborne and his colleagues at Headwell BC.

The women bowlers demonstrated the most progress overall at the 2019 Fife Championships. Fife’s leading bowlers Pamela Mitchell from Headwell BC and Wendy Thomson from St Andrews BC and East Fife CSS contested the women’s open for bowlers with a learning disability. In another close encounter Pamela won by 4 – 2 over five ends to win the title and continue her amazing run in competitions organised by DSF and SDS. Newcomer Mandy Robertson from Dovecot BC and Julie Allan from East Fife CSS and Windygates BC collected the third place trophies and claimed a place in Team Fife for Musselburgh and Aberdeen. The women’s B section was an all West Fife CSS/Headwell BC affair with Danielle Osborne defeating Carrie Anne Smith to lift the title.

Billy Allan from Cowdenbeath BC was in excellent form as always at the Fife Championships, winning the mixed open single hand title with wins over Brian Crombie Coalton of Balgonie BC and Mary Wilson from Edinburgh and DSF. Mary finished runner up and ladies open physically disabled champion.

Maria Spencer from Abbeyview BC and Eleanor Clark from Fair Isle BC contested the title for bowlers with a visual impairment with IBD world champion Maria winning the title. Wheelchair bowler Willie Harrison from Central Fife CSS played his best bowls to date at the Fife Championships and retained the Fife title. Newcomer Willie McQueen from Headwell BC finished runner up and Robbie Craig from Dovecot BC was in third place.

A number of leading Fife physically disabled bowlers were unavailable for different reasons but the standard throughout the day was very high. The teams for Musselburgh and Aberdeen will be announced next week and hopes are high for quality performances by all Fife bowlers at each event.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

Best Ever Fife Track and Field Championships

Pitreavie Athletics Centre

The following major trophies were awarded at the 2019 DSF Track and Field Championships at Pitreavie on Wednesday 12th June:

Inter Community Support Services Team Trophy
2019 winners – West Fife Community Support Services

Ben Mills Trophy – outstanding male athlete
2019 winner – Steven Anderson DSF

Lita Allan Trophy – outstanding senior female athlete
2019 winner – Marie Wilson DSF

Ian Watson Memorial Trophy
2019 winner – Wayne Moreland East Fife CSS

Gilbert Trophy – top junior athlete
2019 winner – Edwin Barron Woodmill HS

Inter Schools Trophy in Memory of Russell Hogg
2019 winners – Woodmill HS

Derek Frew Inspiration Award – Top Junior Athlete with a Physical or Visual Impairment
2019 winner – Callum Sloan Queen Anne HS/DSF

In the Inter Community Support Services Team Competition the scores were as follows:

West Fife CSS – 40 track points – 27 field points – Total 67

East Fife CSS – 32 track points – 25 field points – Total 57

Central Fife CSS – 13 track points – 17 field points – total 30

In the inter secondary schools competition for the Russell Hogg Trophy the scores were as follows:

Woodmill HS – 60 track points – 61 field points – Total 121

Balwearie HS – 34 track points – 32 field points – 66 points

Bell Baxter HS – 33 track points – 24 field points – Total 57

Queen Anne HS – 23 track points – 15 field points – Total 38 points

Glenrothes HS – 11 track points – 19 field points – Total 30 points

Lochgelly HS – 25 track points – 2 field points – Total 27 points

Well done to all the junior and senior athletes who participated in the team competitions.

The Championships are supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Huge thank you to the duty staff at Pitreavie on the day who looked after us all so well from crack of dawn till close of play.

Richard Brickley, OBE MBE Chairman, DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees