Month: September 2019

Outstanding Personal Best for Fife Para Athlete

The recent training camp in Flagstaff and the opportunity to train with the outstanding Hawkins brothers has instilled a new confidence in Fife AC’s GB Paralympian Derek Rae.

All who know Derek recognise he is in better shape than ever and he confirmed this with an amazing 46 second PB at the Scottish Athletics 10K National Championships in Stirling last weekend.

Derek knew going into the race that he had enjoyed an excellent training block with coach Ron Morrison at Fife AC. Did he realise that he was going to run 31.13 just prior to his first visit to Japan and a race in Tokyo in preparation for the 2020 Paralympic Games? Derek ran hard from the gun and undoubtedly demonstrated his belief in his new found strength and fitness and he was spot on as always. Derek has never been short of determination and commitment.

Well done yet again Derek. This season has been your best to date and we wish you all the very best in Japan one year out from the Games. Derek has been preparing for this monumental challenge with sessions in the heat chamber. Conditions in Japan will be challenging and Derek’s back up team at the Scottish Institute of Sport will leave nothing to chance in their efforts to assist him with his preparations.

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

Glasgow Disability Sport Crowdfunding Campaign

Glasgow Disability Sport are raising £10,000 to help disabled children & adults have life changing sporting opportunities & experiences. Let’s bring achievement, pride & joy to their life.

Please donate to our JustGiving Crowdfunding Page and help make it happen:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/glasgowdisabilitysport2019?utm_id=1&utm_term=e6qDq2y6Y

Background

Help us support people with a disability access sporting and physical activities in Glasgow and the West of Scotland

Glasgow Disability Sport (GDS) needs financial support to help us continue with our annual grass root club and sporting activities; calendar of competitive events as well as extend and increase the number of sporting activity sessions we deliver.

We are a charitable and voluntary organisation and our vision is to empower and lead inclusive sport to improve lives for people with a physical, sensory and/or learning disability in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

We have a three year development plan to build on our success stories and achievements over the years both in terms of successful athletes supported by GDS but also in terms of supporting the development of clubs, coaches and volunteers.

The monies raised will be used for the following: to increase the number of regional events run each year; co-ordinate and lead pathways and opportunities to all National Competitions; increase and create new sporting participation sessions; improve visibility and profile of our organisation so we can maximise our reach and increase the number of people participate in club and competitive sessions.

If you would like to find out more about the great work we do or if you wish to get involved then check out our website:

https://www.glasgowdisabilitysport.org/

Hewett and Reid into Third US Open Final

Brits Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne produced two fantastic performances between them on Thursday’s first day of US Open wheelchair competition, with Hewett and Reid reaching their third successive men’s doubles final at the last Grand Slam of the year.

With Hewett and Reid bidding for a hat-trick of doubles titles in New York, they sped to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over French top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer on a highly successful day for players on the LTA’s GB Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme.

In a rematch of the last two men’s doubles finals Hewett and Reid dropped just four points in the first four games against Houdet and Peifer and Hewett fired a backhand winner to wrap up the first set in just 24 minutes, the Brits having dropped a total of just eight points.

The second set proved somewhat tougher, with the first three games taking longer than the entire first set. However, three-time Wimbledon champions Hewett and Reid broke Peifer to move 5-3 ahead and Hewett served out the match after firing an unreturnable forehand at Peifer.

With Hewett and Reid now set to face French Open champions Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina and Shingo Kunieda of Japan in the final, Reid said: “We’ve put a lot of work into the last three or four months, specifically as a team, to try and improve
a few things in our game and I was just saying to Alfie that it’s great when it all comes together.

“We just did everything that we try to do normally, but just that bit better (today). We all enjoy these types of matches and this sort of environments.”

Hewett added, “It brings a lot of confidence when there’s so many great memories to take from this place. I always get excited to come back, whether it’s singles or whether it’s on the court with Gordon. We’ve won it both times we’ve been here together, so to reach another doubles final is something we’re both really, really proud of.”

Hewett and Reid begin their singles campaigns on Friday, Hewett opening his US Open title defence with a rematch of last year’s final against Kunieda, while Reid faces Houdet.

The first of three days of round-robin matches in the quad singles saw world No.3 Lapthorne secure back-to-back wins in Grand Slam competition over world No. 2 David Wagner of the USA. After beating Wagner to reach the inaugural Wimbledon quad singles final in July, 2014 US Open champion Lapthorne put up a brilliant performance as he raced to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the
American for his most comprehensive victory over Wagner in 62 career matches and 17 match wins.

Lapthorne, who broke Wagner’s serve to love to complete victory in just 59 minutes, having won more than twice as many points as his opponent, said: “It’s a great day for me. All the hard work from training is paying off and translating onto the match
court. I’m really pleased to start with a win and I’m looking forward to giving it everything tomorrow against Dylan on a big court.”

Lapthorne now faces his doubles partner, world No.1 Dylan Alcott of Australia, in his second round-robin match on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday. The top two players after three days of round-robin competition will advance to Sunday’s quad singles final.

For news and updates from the wheelchair tennis draws and the fortunes of the Brits at the US Open, 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 LTA

Central Parasport Festival 2019

We are delighted to announce details for the upcoming Central Parasport Festival 2019.

Date:     Wednesday 23rd October 2019

Time:     10.00am – 3.00pm (9.30am arrival and registration)

Venue: The Peak, Stirling Sports Village, Forthbank, Stirling FK8 1QZ

Currently within Central Scotland we have a vast amount of opportunities for children and young people with a visual, hearing or physical disability to get involved in sport or physical activity at a local, regional and national level.

This festival is targeting pupils within a mainstream school setting in the Central area, with a physical, visual or hearing disability aged between P1 – S6. The key impact of the event is to provide a multisport opportunity to these pupils, identify talented individuals within specific sports, alongside channelling pupils onto local, regional clubs/ programmes and sessions. We would like to welcome back all pupils who have attended in the past, alongside engaging new pupils to attend for their first experience. During the 2018 event, video footage was captured highlighting the aims and 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 insight to the event https://tinyurl.com/y66748wq.

Booking information

Please see below Event information and application form, with a closing date of Monday 30th September 2019, (forms requested to be returned directly to Cheryl Lappin – Central SDS RDM). Alternatively forms can be completed online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/ScottishDisabilitySport/CentralScotlandParasportFestival.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:

Cheryl Lappin SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland on cheryl.Lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577830360

Central Para Sport Festival 2019 – Event Information & Application

2019 Fife Indoor Bowls Championships – a great occasion

Disability Sport Fife bowlers and volunteers enjoyed yet another brilliant Fife Indoor Bowls Championships at East Fife Indoor Bowling Club Methil, courtesy of club committee members. The warmth of welcome was as always outstanding and greatly appreciated by all participants, spectators and support staff. DSF and East Fife Indoor have enjoyed a very special relationship for over 25 years and successive generations of Fife bowlers with additional support needs consider this event one of the most important in the DSF annual calendar.

The event began at 10 30 with a tribute to local hero Craig Bernard who as recently as last year reached the final of the championships B section. Craig died earlier in the year and many of those participating had attended his memorable funeral. Craig loved the Fife Indoor Championships and considered them his home event. Participants were invited to think about Craig at some point in the day and thank him for his friendship and good humour. Craig touched the hearts of many and within the bowling community in particular.

Throughout the day there were many exciting ties and all were overseen by the very committed volunteer markers from local bowling clubs. Officials were as always coordinated by Math Thomson from the Beveridge Park BC who was only able to spend a very short time at the event this year because of a hospital appointment. Thank you deputy Bill Bruce for standing in on the day and ensuring everything ran smoothly. These brilliant volunteers worked non stop from 10 30 till 15 00 and stayed behind for the presentations. Four and half hours of constant officiating with a short break for lunch. Brilliant ladies and gents.

Darryl Stewart from Cowdenbeath BC retained the men’s open title with a win over Crag Donaldson from Central Fife CSS, the reigning Fife outdoor champion. Lloyd Simpson and Steven Anderson from Dovecot BC were presented with joint third place trophies.

The equivalent ladies open title was contested by Pamela Mitchell from Headwell B.C and Wendy Thomson from St Andrews BC and East Fife CSS. Pamela was first introduced to the Fife bowls programme in the early 80s by Alex McLean at Rosyth ATC and she is playing better bowls in 2019 than ever before. Pamela was a convincing winner and will head to Aberdeen on Saturday in search of another SDS outdoor national title. Both Pamela and Wendy are past Scottish champions. Julie Allan from Windygates Bowling Club and East Fife Indoor Bowling Club was awarded a third place trophy.

Kevin Mustard from Central Fife CSS won the men’s section B title by defeating Phillip Callander from West Fife CSS and Headwell BC in the final. Mathew Blissett from Dovecot BC won a trophy for third place.

Newcomer Charlie Porter from East Fife CSS won the men’s C1 section with Robert Morrison from Headwell BC finishing runner up. Wayne Moreland from Windygates BC and East Fife CSS won the men’s C2 section with newcomer Aaron Kean from Headwell BC finishing runner up.

Tribute was paid to Headwell BC, Dovecot Park Bowling Club, Windygates BC,Beveridge Park Bowling Club, Lumphinnans Bowling Club, East Fife Indoor andAbbeyview Bowling Club that continue throughout the year to encourage and include bowlers with disabilities to train and play in inclusive environments. A feature of this years’s championships was the number of new players who registered and progressing to the final stages of their sections. DSF is very proud of its links with inclusive bowling clubs and the role played by GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012 over the past 30 months.

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

Toni’s feeling great 18 weeks into her new walking routine

Toni Duffin is the latest GOGA in Fife inspired young person to complete the Paths For All 12 week walking programme – “Feeling Great One Step at a Time”.

Paths for All is a national partner of GOGA in Fife and GOGA in Fife invested in pedometers to encourage and inspire GOGA in Fife members to walk regularly and embed walking in their daily routine. The GOGA in Fife programme is supported by Spirit of 2012.

Walking is now so much a part of Toni’s daily routine that she is six weeks into her second round of conscientiously filling in her Walker’s Diary at the end of each day. I looked at her diary this week and over an 18 week period she rarely if ever drops below 8,000 steps and on one particular Thursday she registered over 20,000 steps. Remarkable discipline and commitment by a young Fife woman who also attends a number of GOGA in Fife weekly sessions supported by Spirit of 2012.

Toni has a loving family behind her all the way and her golden lab Tess has played her part. Jillian P and Gillian W are the outstanding Scottish Autism support staff who have encouraged and supported Toni throughout her walking journey to date. The role of significant others can never be under estimated and I am advised that Toni is the driving force. The staff members have welcomed the opportunity to be part of Toni’s journey.

Toni is working towards becoming a GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer and her walking commitment to date will undoubtedly have helped her achieve that ambition.

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

Fife boccia player wins third title of the season

Tyler McLelland from Windygates has continued his excellent run of fine form with another regional boccia win at the Right on Target invitation competition in the Forth Valley Branch of SDS.

Tyler enjoyed a very close match against Fiona Muirhead in the final of the BC4 section but held his nerve to lift his third title of the season. On his way to the final Tyler won two from three of his qualifying matches.

Tyler is coached by mum Emma and supported by dad Mark and trains on the performance boccia court at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes, courtesy of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Tyler is also being mentored by fellow Scot Stephen McGuire, one of the leading BC4 boccia players in the world.

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

Forth Valley Disability Sport: Treasurer Position

Recruiting body: Forth Valley Disability Sport

Closing date: Friday 4th October 2019

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.

Role Title – Treasurer (voluntary)

Organisation – Forth Valley Disability Sport (FVDS)

Responsible to – Forth Valley Disability Sport committee

Location – Forth Valley

An exciting opportunity has risen for a passionate and enthusiastic individual who is interested in helping achieve the vision and aims of FVDS by specifically supporting the organisation as committee treasurer

The Treasurer will support the FVDS Co-ordinator to help shape the financial future of FVDS by ensuring accurate records are kept of the charity’s finances. The post holder should be well organised and confident in handling financial information and producing reports to the FVDS committee. In return, FVDS offers the opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills, volunteer within a sports context, learn about the inspiring world of disability sport.

Contract – This is a voluntary position, but all reasonable expenses will be paid. Committee members will be expected to attend branch meetings (held 6 times per year), plus finance sub group meetings as and when required, support the branch to maintain SDS Minimum Operating Requirements and support the chairperson in driving the branch forward. The Level of time commitment is flexible and will be tailored to suit the applicant’s current commitments and the needs of the branch.

Term – 2 years

SKILLS REQUIRED AND MAIN DUTIES: ·      Well organised and able to keep accurate records

·      Confident in handling finances and keeping records

·      Experience in budget handling

·      Enthusiastic and motivated

·      Prepared to make a regular time commitment

·      Prepared to make decisions when necessary

 

MAIN DUTIES:

  1. Support Branch Coordinator to maintain efficient and effective bookkeeping records of all financial transitions

Interviews

Date to be confirmed after the closing date

Applications

All applicants should send a curriculum Vitae and cover letter to graham.harvey@fvds.org.uk by the closing date of Friday 4th October 2019 detailing why you are interested in the role and any relevant skills and experience. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Graham Harvey on the above email address.

Euro Success for Scottish Boccia Players

The 2019 BISFed European Boccia Championships concluded over the weekend and it was a hugely successful event for Boccia UK and an important milestone in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games qualification.

The British team of 10 players, included four members of the Scottish programme, including: Reegan Stevenson (BC1), Patrick Wilson (BC3), Jamie McCowan (BC3) and Stephen McGuire (BC4).  These players were supported by a further three Scots in lead coach, Claire Morrison and ramp assistants, Linda McCowan and William Wilson.

Individual Competition

The competition began with the individual event and there were some tough matches for all players.  McCowan and McGuire managed to progress to the quarter finals whilst Stevenson and Wilson bowed out in the group stages.  McCowan reached the Semi final following a very good performance, whilst McGuire’s individual competition ended with a 3-4 defeat.  Sadly, McCowan had to settle for 3 / 4 play-off following defeat in his match.  McCowan won the European Championships in 2017 and he used all his experience in the bronze medal match to ensure that the he reached the podium.

Team & Pairs Competition

The European Championships ended with the Team & Pairs competition and it was this event that delivered a huge amount of success for the Scottish players.

Stevenson was making his debut at this level and is the most recent Scot to progress through our programme to represent Boccia UK.  He formed a Team with David Smith (BC1), Will Hipwell (BC2) and Claire Taggart (BC2). The Team battled through the competition to deliver a bronze medal and much needed ranking points ahead of Tokyo 2020.

In the BC3 Pair competition Wilson and McCowan teamed up with Jess Hunter, in a now very experienced trio.  They developed through the group stages and finally bowed out at the semi final stages.  However, they delivered a bronze medal in the 3 / 4 playoff.

The BC4 Pair, led by Stephen McCowan, included the ever improving Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders cruised through the group stages, won their quarter-final and their semi-final.  However, the final proved a bridge too far and they had to settle for a silver medal.

Boccia UK will be delighted with the outcome of their latest major championships as the players and the coaching team continue their preparations for next years Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Full Boccia UK Results

Individual
BC1: David Smith (Gold)
BC2: Claire Taggart (Silver)
BC3: Jamie McCowan (Bronze)

Team and Pairs
BC1/2: Reegan Stevenson, David Smith, Will Hipwell, Claire Taggart (Bronze)
BC3: Jamie McCowan, Patrick Wilson & Jess Hunter (Bronze)
BC4: Stephen McGuire, Louis Saunders & Evie Edwards (Silver)