Month: July 2019

FVF Track & Field / Law Enforcement Torch Run

On Sunday 7th July it was our Forth Valley Flyers Disability Athletics Championships, with athletes meeting from all across Scotland.

Starting off the event, we were privileged to participate in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.  They were represented by officers from Ireland and Scotland, with Ross Christie as the lead officer in Scotland. This team will travel across Scotland promoting Special Olympics.   The torch crosses the globe in between the Special Olympics raising funds for charity and promoting inclusion and diversity within each nations’ police forces.

Following the championships, Flyers club member Caitlyn Ross presented to local trainee police officers to raise their awareness about the Special Olympics.  By being involved in sport, this boosted her self-esteem and confidence, enabling Caitlyn to go on to volunteer and motivate others with any disabilities to take part.   The increased awareness helps improve engagement by police officers in our communities, enabling better support for those that have disabilities.

This was one of the best ever athletics events hosted by the Flyers, with 105 athletes, representing 12 clubs from Grampian to Gateshead and Ayr to Fife.  There were 37 track and 18 field events. Our Flyers team did the Forth Valley region proud by winning 30 gold, 18 silver and 9 bronze medals.   The Special Olympics torch bearers took part in the long jump and 4 * 100m relay events, with Flyers athlete Steven Stone really impressing the police officers in the long jump. Steven is UK ranked 1st in his F20 category, with his personal best jump of 6.59m. Each team in the relay race was represented by one of the clubs and one team constituted the torch bearers.  Their participation in the competition really demonstrated their inclusive ethos.

The Forth Valley Flyers welcomes children and adults from across our three counties of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire.  Our athletes have gone on to progress at the highest levels on the global stage, such as the Special Olympics and the Paralympics.  We offer a full range of track and field specialities to train in.  Additionally, for wheelchair users, we have a club racing wheelchair; and for those with some leg function, they can try one of our RaceRunning bikes.  These opportunities present the first feeling of freedom that they may have experienced.

The Flyers is life changing for our club members, as not only are we providing sporting opportunities, our club sessions are key social opportunities for those that might otherwise feel isolated in society.

Would you know someone with a physical or learning impairment, who might like to try out one of our sports, in a very friendly and supportive environment?  We meet at the Grangemouth athletics stadium each Tuesday at 5.30 and on Friday at 6pm.

Might you know someone interested in volunteering? We always need extra help to support our club.

Would you like to earn sport coaching qualifications and gain experience? We can help you develop your career.

Find out more about us www.forthvalleyflyers.org.uk and contact us for more details on forthvalleyflyers@btinternet.com.

RGK Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships

The Peak Sports Centre in Stirling played host to the 2019 RGK Wheelchair Basketball Regional Junior Festival, welcoming young people from across the county and providing them with an opportunity to proudly represent their regions.

Young players from five regions travelled to Stirling on Saturday 6th July to compete in both the under 13 and under 18 competitions, displaying a high level of enthusiasm and skills throughout the day. The event provides young aspiring players an opportunity to pit their skills against opponents from other areas of the country while also introducing players to the sport in a friendly and welcoming setting.

Tayside and Fife proved to hot to handle in both the under 18 and under 13 sections, claiming the top spot in each. The under 18 side, including GB Under 23 long list player Ben Leitch, defeated the experienced West side 32-17 in the final while a combined Grampian / East side ended the day in 3rd place after claiming victory 22-10 versus their Central counterparts. The under 13 squad from Tayside and finished top of the table with 3 wins from 3 and scoring over 30 points in each match.

The event was delivered by basketballscotland and supported by a number of key partners including RGK, CliniMed and the Lords Taverners with former GB Paralympians Lee Fawcett, Sinclair Thomas and Matt Byrne all present on the day to pass on their experience and knowledge of the sport.

With regular wheelchair basketball sessions in many regions of the country, the development of the game is looking bright and this was reinforced by the quality of play over the weekend. A summary of opportunities is listed below –

  • East of Scotland – Lothian Phoenix
  • Grampian – Grampian Flyers
  • Tayside – Dundee Dragons
  • West of Scotland – Glasgow Rocks

basketballscotland’s Disability Talent & Pathways Manager and event organiser Tina Gordon recognised the quality throughout the day stating, ‘It was great to see so many young wheelchair basketballers enjoying our sport, the future of wheelchair basketball throughout Scotland definitely looks bright’.

Scottish Disability Sport are also working in partnership with basketballscotland and several other partners to develop wheelchair sport opportunities in the country. A current example of this can be found in the East of Scotland with a week of activity being delivered in Edinburgh for school aged young people with a physical disability. More information can be found by clicking here.

5th Borders Boccia Open Competition – 28th Sept 2019

Borders Disability Sport are hosting their 5th Borders Boccia Open Competition on Saturday 28th September and is open for players of all ages with a physical or learning disability across the country. For most players this will be the last opportunity to sharpen up their skills in a competitive environment prior to the Scottish Boccia Open, held in October. The competition will be delivered in partnership with LIVE BORDERS (LB), Borders Boccia Club & Scottish Disability Sport (SDS).

The details of the competition are below –

Event: Borders Boccia Open Competition 2019

Venue: Queens Leisure Centre, Galashiels TD1 2AE

Date: Saturday 28th September 2019

Time: 10am – 4.00pm (approx.)

Entry: £5

Please see attached the entry form: BOCCIA OPEN COMPETITION Entry Form
Borders Disability Sports Group Privacy Notice

As with other Scottish Disability Sport Boccia events, we rely on dedicated volunteers to officiate matches to ensure the success of the competition. Also attached is match referee volunteer form for anyone who is able to support this event: Match Referee Volunteer Request

If you require further information, please contact event organiser Alan Oliver on the details below.

All forms should be returned to Alan Oliver, LIVE BORDERS Sports Development, St Mary’s Mill, Level Crossing Road, Selkirk, TD7 5EW, aoliver@liveborders.org.uk – 07887 471 137 or 01750 700 110.

Wimbledon Wheelchair Tennis First Round Draw

Brits Jordanne Whiley, Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne have all been drawn against one of the top two seeds in each of the men’s, women’s and quad singles wheelchair draws, which begin on Thursday at The Championships, Wimbledon.

Ten-time Grand Slam champion Whiley will begin her first Wimbledon ladies’ singles campaign since 2017 with a contest against her doubles partner and world No.2 Yui Kamiji of Japan, as the two meet at The Championships for the very first time. The last time they met at a Grand Slam was in the 2015 US Open final, a contest that Whiley won in three sets for her only Grand Slam singles title to date.

World No.8 Whiley, who last played at Wimbledon two years ago, when she was 11 weeks pregnant, said: “To be honest I didn’t really mind who I got in the draw. Obviously, it could have been better, but it could have been worse, too. The main thing is I’m confident, I feel like I’m playing well, and I’m just really excited to be back playing at Wimbledon and I can’t wait to get started.”

Whiley’s last appearance at Wimbledon also brought the current British No.1 and Kamiji their fourth successive ladies’ doubles title together. Whiley and Kamiji will play Dutch top seeds Diede de Groot and Aniek van Koot, the reigning Australian Open and Roland Garros champions, in this year’s semi-finals, due to take place on Friday.

Reid, the inaugural Wimbledon gentlemen’s wheelchair singles champion in 2016, will face world No.1 Shingo Kunieda of Japan in this year’s quarter-finals on Thursday. Reid and Kunieda’s last meeting at a Grand Slam was in last month’s Roland Garros semi-finals, with Reid prevailing in three sets to reach his first Grand Slam singles final since 2016.

Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Reid, who has moved up one place to men’s singles world No.7 this week, said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing Shingo for the first time competitively on grass. He is top seed for a reason, but I feel I have the game to cause him a lot of problems on this surface.”

All four Brits on the LTA’s GB Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme who are playing at Wimbledon this year already have Grand Slam singles and doubles titles to their name.

Reigning US Open champion Alfie Hewett, winner of last month’s all-British men’s singles final on the grass courts at the Fever-Tree Championships, will play reigning Australian Open and Roland Garros champion Gustavo Fernandes of Argentina in his opening match at Wimbledon this year.

World No.3 Hewett said: “I’m excited to be back playing back at Wimbledon and I’m really looking forward to the start of play on Thursday, Gustavo is a tough opponent and I played him here two years ago, so I know what to expect, but I will go out and give it everything like I always do and what will be will be.”

Hewett and Reid will open their bid for a fourth successive Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title against French top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer, the duo the Brits beat in both the 2016 and 2017 finals at The Championships and last year’s US Open men’s doubles final.

World No.3 Andy Lapthorne will play world No.2 David Wagner of the United States when history is made on Thursday with the Wimbledon debut of a quad singles draw.

Lapthorne has already partnered Wagner to one success at Wimbledon after they paired up to win last year’s quad doubles exhibition match, the forerunner to the inclusion of competitive quad singles and doubles draws this year.

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Lapthorne, who beat Wagner in the 2014 US Open quad singles final to claim what is currently his sole Grand Slam singles title, said: “It’s a dream come true to be playing in the first quad singles and doubles events at Wimbledon. I’m really excited to play on Thursday and I’m just going to enjoy the moment and hopefully the
match goes my way.”

Lapthorne will partner Australian Dylan Alcott in the quad doubles, with the duo set to play Japan’s Koji Sugeno and Wagner for the inaugural Wimbledon quad doubles title, For news and updates from the wheelchair tennis draws and the fortunes of the Brits at Wimbledon, follow on Twitter @the_LTA and @WChairTennisGB.

To find out more about the LTA’s work with disability tennis, head to www.lta.org.uk/play or email disabilitytennis@lta.org.uk.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

Dundee City Disability Sport – Branch Coordinator

Salary: £15,000 per annum

Hours: Part time, flexible working (based on 1000 hours per annum – approx. 20 hours a week)

Duration: Fixed term until 31st December 2020 (potential for a further 2 years and beyond subject to securing funding)

Job Description

Introduction

Dundee City Disability Sport was formed in 1981. This was Dundee District Council’s main contribution to the “International Year of the Disabled”. DCDS is a registered charity in Scotland. Scottish Charity No. SCO22333. Dundee City Disability Sport in partnership with Leisure and Culture Dundee has a vision of its role: “To lead the development of sport and physical recreation for people of all ages with a disability within Dundee City”. The purpose of Dundee City Disability Sport is to coordinate and support the provision of recreational activities for people with Physical, Sensory and Learning Disabilities.

The Purpose of the Post

Lead the development of disability sport in Dundee by creating effective links between national organisations, affiliated clubs and organisations and the local authority and increasing the numbers of participants, coaches and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible and report to Dundee City Disability Sport (DCDS). The post holder will be required to:

  1. To secure sufficient funds for the ongoing development of DCDS in accordance with OSCR guidelines and procedures.
  2. Develop, co-ordinate and promote education and development opportunities for coaches and volunteers working with disabled athletes and players.
  3. Create, maintain and develop partnerships, liaising with local authority partners and other stakeholders to support people with a disability into sport.
  4. Actively celebrate and promotes DCDS successes and positive role models in disability sport.
  5. Represent DCDS at related and relevant meetings as required.

Essential skills for the role

  • Able to work on own initiative with minimum of direct supervision
  • Previous experience in working with and supporting people with a disability
  • Sound administration skill, delivering a range of diverse project activities
  • A background demonstrating good event planning and coordinating skills
  • Hold a current full and clean driving licence – it is recommended that the post holder should have valid insurance for business use

Desirable skills for the role

  • Able to demonstrate influencing and leadership skills in business and sporting settings using excellent communication skills
  • Creativity, imagination and entrepreneurial attitude to fundraising
  • Experience of successfully completing grant funding applications
  • Familiar with the landscape of sport in a local, regional and national setting

Application procedure

The closing date for receipt of applications is 26 July 2019. A CV and cover letter stating reason for application and suitability for the role must be sent to DCDS Chairperson at stuartgray1984@gmail.com by this date.

Interviews

Interviews may be held in evenings and will include a presentation.

Glasgow ASN Tennis and Rugby Festivals

Aces at Broomhill – Tennis festival for people with additional support needs

24th August 2019, 2-4pm: Come along and join us between 2 and 4 pm for a fun afternoon at Broomhill Tennis Club! All ages and abilities welcome!

Hillhead Tennis and Rugby ASN Festival

Sunday 24th August, 2pm – 4pm: Inclusive for all – great social afternoon.

Scottish Government Social Security Experience Panels

Recruitment to the Scottish Government’s Social Security Experience Panels is now open.

The Scottish Government Experience Panels are 2,400 volunteers who are helping us to build a new social security system for Scotland. Panel members have real experience of the benefits which will be devolved to Scotland.  Their insight and assistance is helping us to make sure that our new service works for the people who will use it. 

If you have experience of these benefits and you want to contribute to the way we deliver in Scotland, we are recruiting for more Experience Panel members now. We are looking for people with personal experience of: 

  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Funeral Expenses Payment
  • Cold Weather Payment
  • Winter Fuel Payment
  • Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit

You can find out more about the Experience Panels and register to join at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-experience-panels-faqs/ or by calling our Freephone number 0800 029 4974. People can register online, over the phone or by post. 

Being a panel member is voluntary, and panel members will receive regular invitations to take part in focus groups, interviews and surveys. There is no obligation to complete any amount of work and panel members can participate as little or as often as they wish. We work hard to make participating as accessible as possible. Our work with panel members informs key decisions in the design of social security in Scotland. 

Robyn Love competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games

Love Wins Silver at European Championships 

The 2019 IWBF Women’s European Wheelchair Basketball Championships took place between the 28 June and 8 July in Rotterdam, Netherlands and the event placed much significance on Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games qualification. 

Ayrshire born and former Lothian Phoenix player, Robyn Love, was the only Scottish representative in the squad but the 2016 Rio Paralympian was once again a central figure within the team. 

The GB side completed the tournament’s pool stage qualifying for the semi-finals having accrued three wins and two losses, one to Germany and a second to hosts the Netherlands. 

However, they faced Germany in the semi-finals two days after suffering a tough pool game loss to the team (48-61). In what was undoubtedly one of the most contested games of the Championships, Great Britain delivered a remarkable performance to come out on top 49-48 to claim their place in the final.   

The final saw Love, and her GB team mates, once again face the Netherlands, who are an extremely strong nation in the women’s game Once again it was a tough encounter against the side who had already defeated them in the group stages.  Sadly, the Brits succumbed to a 52-65 loss to the hosts but will be delighted to claim a silver medal. 

The Great Britain women’s team has grown and improved over the past few years and their performances are creating history. Within the space of 12 months they have claimed both a World and European championships’ silver medal, building on their 4th place finish at the 2016 Paralympic Games. 

GB’s #15 Robyn Love has been a key figure during this period of sustained success and summed up the feeling amongst the squad: 

“Incredibly proud – it’s hard to put into words at this moment about how I feel. When you do something you’ve never done before you can’t quite describe how that feels.” 

For more information please visit: 

Basketball Scotland 
http://basketballscotland.co.uk/  

British Wheelchair Basketball
www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk  

Jed Renilson Wheelchair and Hand Cycle 10k Race 2019

Borders Disability Sport would like to invite you to participate in the 16th Jed Renilson Wheelchair and Hand Cycle 10km Race, scheduled for Sunday 27th October 2019. The race is included as part of the Jedburgh Running Festival and will start at Bonjedward, Jedburgh.

In memory of the late Jed Renilson, founder of the wheelchair race, Borders Disability Sport are committed to carry on this legacy and hope to welcome new and experienced participants alike. For organisational purposes, entrants are required to submit their previous or best 10km race time.

The race route is an out and back, starting at Bonjedward Garage and heads down a steep hill before turning right onto the A698. The route then heads east along this road for 5km before turning and heading back West towards Jedburgh. Entries can be accessed through Entry Central – https://www.entrycentral.com/event/108652.

If you have any queries around the event, please contact Borders Branch Development Officer Alan Oliver on aoliver@liveborders.org.uk or 01750 700 110.

10k Wheelchair Race Flyers 2019

Jedburgh Wheelchair Race Invite Letter 2019

4 Medals in 4 Days for Fife Para Swimmer

Ollie Carter from Cupar, but now Stirling University, was the third Fife swimmer to compete at the Scottish National Open Championships in Aberdeen. Ollie has had an excellent swimming year. He continued his run of fine form with impressive performances throughout the four days of the championships. To say he has well and truly settled into university life and all that Scottish Swimminghas to offer in Stirling would be an understatement. The ex Bell Baxter High School pupil and Carnegie Swimming Club swimmer, swam in four events, one on each of the four days of the championships, reached the final in each event and won four medals. Outstanding swimming throughout.

On day one in 100m free, Ollie had a PB in the morning, followed by a PB in the evening and a new Scottish record of 57.31.

On day two Ollie swam faster in 400m free than in the Trials and got closer to his PB and Scottish record. In the final he swam slightly faster than in the morning and finished with a time of 4:25.40.

On the third day Ollie competed in 50m free and in the final swam a magnificent PB of 26.79 for a new Scottish record.

On the final day of the championships, Ollie in his own words had a “small PB” in 100m fly of 65.85 and was pleased that he is getting ever closer to the national record.

In summary it was an excellent four days for the Disability Sport Fife member who started out with Cupar and District Swimming Club and was given every encouragement to pursue his dream of becoming a GB international Para swimmer. Over the four days Ollie won silver, gold, bronze and silver medals on the respective days.

On reflection Ollie was pleased that Aberdeen had been perfect preparation for the British Summer meet in a few weeks time where he will be swimming the same events plus 200 IM. This will be the highest number of events that Ollie has qualified for at this major meet in the GB calendar. Who would doubt that this very committed and talented young swimmer will one day achieve his dream of Team GB honours?

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